Two years later, two LCHS wrestlers, Bree and O’Donogue, repeat visit to State

[February 25, 2020] 

Once again, two Lincoln Community High School wrestlers earned their way to the mats of the Illinois High School State Individual Wrestling Championships. This past weekend Trevor Bree and Austin O’Donogue made their second trip to State.

The event was held at the State Farm Center in Champaign from Thursday through Saturday, February 20-22, 2020.

The LCHS students competed in Class 2-A.

Trevor Bree 132 lbs

Trevor Bree was the first to put on the two ankle bands prior to stepping on the mat. “I don’t know what it is, but when I put on the ankle bands, I get this feeling I can’t explain and I am ready to go.” Trevor faced Ray Hernandez (32-9) from the no. one ranked Lemont.

Trevor fought a hard fought battle grinding Hernandez from the top with some tough Lincoln style Leg riding.

Late in the third period, Hernandez capitalized catching Bree out of position finishing the match with a pin. This put Bree in the wrestle backs against one of the top wrestlers in the bracket, Danny McPherson.

Bree, as is his style, strapped double ankle bands and gave McPherson his all. McPherson finished the match in the first period ending Bree’s season and wrestling all the way back to win the Constellation bracket placing third in the 132 lb. weight class.

Bree was upbeat about his experience saying, “Wrestling at LCHS has been a privilege and the past four years have taught me so much about myself and how much I can overcome anything. Getting down to Champaign is just icing on the top, not everyone gets to do that. Doing that not only once, but twice means a lot to me.”

Head Coach Justin Dietrich said, “I thought Trevor wrestled well. His career ended on having 115 career wins and a two-time state qualifier. He was a great leader and Captain. He will be hard to replace next year.”

Bree’s notable Accomplishments:

Two-time IHSA 2-A State Qualifier 115 career wins in three-and-a-half seasons

Austin O’Donogue 145 lbs

Appearing in his second State Tournament in three years, Austin O’Donogue would face Junior Mike Rodriguez from St. Laurence. O’Donogue was not afraid to take chances scoring a takedown and putting Rodriguez on his back to take a 5-0 lead at the end of the first period.

In the second period the two wrestlers scrambled and Rodriguez capitalized on an O’Donogue mistake almost pinning O’Donogue and making it a one-point match.

In the third period, O’Donogue opened up on top and on his feet extending his lead to finish the match with his hand raised and a 19-6 major Decision over Rodriguez.

In Austin’s second match, the quarter finals, he faced Peyton Timmons of Crystal Lake South. O’Donogue wrestled a hard fought match eventually losing to All-State Timmons 11-0.

Day 2 in the second round of Wrestle Backs, O’Donogue faced Sean Crump from Niles Notre Dame. After the first period ended, the score was still 0-0.

O’Donogue won the toss choosing bottom. Crump maintained a solid ride on top ending the second period at a 0-0 score.

Crump chose bottom in the second period scoring a quick escape to take a 1-0 lead over the Lincoln wrestler. O’Donogue fired off shots eventually obtaining a stalling warning against the Notre Dame wrestler.

With 1:00 minute left in the match, O’Donogue opened up his intensity. He shot for a takedown pushing the pace and ended short with Crump obtaining a quick go-behind to end O’Donogue’s season with a 3-0 win.

Crump would go on to lose in the blood round to Watkins of Washington one match away from being an ALL-STATE wrestler.

After the humbling experience, Austin had this to say, “The experience in Champaign is always fun. Everyone down there is always ready to grind out for three days. Trevor and I didn’t come back with the results we wanted. Also, I know what I have to work on to prepare for the tourney for next year and be ready to prove I am the best.”

Coach Dietrich said, “Austin had a great season as a junior. He has 114 Career wins and is a two-time State qualifier. He will get back to work and raise his goals for next Season.”

O’Donogue’s notable Accomplishments:

- Two-time IHSA 2-A State Qualifier -114 career wins

 -Most wins in a season at LCHS - 45

 -Most pins in a single season

Trevor and Austin both wrestled through the Lincoln Youth Wrestling program under Walt Landers and at Lincoln Junior High under Coach Alex Dawson.

The LCHS wrestlers will compete for the Sectional Dual Championship on Tuesday, Feb 25th at 6 in Roy S. Anderson Gymnasium. The team is currently top 16 and a win will put them top eight, where they will wrestle in Bloomington towards the team championship.

[Jason Lawrence]