Stott takes 3rd at state with overtime win

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CHAMPAIGN – Harvard’s Dan Stott did not end the tournament as he wanted but placed at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State tournament for the second consecutive year with a third-place finish at 160 pounds.

The Hornets junior defeated Port Byron Riverdale’s Branson Cain, 9-5, in overtime. Stott went down early, giving up a takedown in the first period.

The score was knotted at 3-3 early in the third period, but Stott got a takedown to take the lead.

Cain countered by rolling Stott into a reverse and sent the match into overtime. Stott said he was anticipating that Cain would use a reverse, but was trying to limit Cain to an escape.

“I knew he was a roller,” Stott said. “I figured if he got in any rolls, I’d let him get the one.”

The third-period takedown gave Stott confidence heading into the overtime period. That confidence was bolstered by relying on Harvard coach Tim Haak for strategic assistance.

“I knew I hit a nice low double on him,” Stott said of his third-period takedown. “I could hear Coach Haak telling me what to do.”

Stott lost Friday in the quarterfinals to knock him out of the championship bracket. He wrestled back in the consolation bracket, winning three matches Saturday to get third place. The first two consolation wins were more lopsided, as Stott recorded two pins to get to the place match.

“Friday I didn’t feel I wrestled my best,” Stott said. “[Saturday] I wrestled a lot better.”

After the loss, third was the best Stott could finish. Stott’s plan going in was to win three matches, just not in the consolation bracket.

“I’m disappointed with third,” Stott said. “I came to win it.”

Tigers fall to fourth: Crystal Lake Central’s Mike Zelasco (112 pounds) and Clay Lutzow (130) lost their Class 2A third- place matches to finish fourth.

Zelasco lost a 2-0 decision to Sycamore’s Kyle Akins. Akins got a first-period takedown for the match’s only points.

Zelasco rode Akins on top during the second and third periods but was unable to get Akins on his back.

The two could meet again at dual team state if Sycamore and the Tigers advance to the semifinals.

Lutzow got pinned in the second period by Rich East’s Cameron Bonds.

Fontanetta injured, finishes sixth: Crystal Lake South’s Nick Fontanetta took sixth place in Class 3A at 112 pounds.

In his championship semifinal Saturday, Fontanetta was taken down hard by Joliet Central’s Trayvon Zabala and banged his head on the mat. Fontanetta continued wrestling but appeared woozy after the takedown.

The match was called in the third period, and Fontanetta defaulted because of injury.

Fontanetta was taken from Assembly Hall to a hospital. Fontanetta returned to pick up his sixth-place medal and said he suffered a concussion.