BLOOMINGTON — Minooka senior Corbett Oughton has seen it all.
The 152-pounder helped the Indians win a state championship as a freshman, competed on the state runner-up team as a sophomore and reached the podium the past two seasons in the individual competition of the state tournament.
On Saturday at U.S. Cellular Coliseum, Oughton ended his career with a technical fall in a 39-14 loss to Marmion at the dual team state tournament. It was Minooka’s fifth consecutive season reaching the quarterfinals.
“It’s been a long four years but a great four years at Minooka,” Oughton said. “All the coaches helped make me who I am today.”
Oughton’s grit was on display more this season than perhaps any other. He recovered from a midseason dislocated elbow to take fourth in the state.
“I’ve been a part of some really good teams and I’m just happy that I could do it,” Oughton said. “Ending (my career) with a win, that feels good.”
With the quarterfinal match starting at 120 pounds, Marmion had state champs Johnny Jimenez (126 pounds) and George Fisher (138) among the first four matches to grab an early 14-0 lead.
Still, Minooka coach Jeff Charlebois was pleased with his team’s effort.
“You can’t hemorrhage bonus points and expect to win, and we did a real good job,” Charlebois said. “We were four matches in and we wrestled two state champs and we gave up two bonus points. You can’t ask for more out of your kids at that point.”
Minooka’s other winners included Carson Oughton, who is Corbett’s brother, sophomore Nathan Gunn and junior Erik Velasquez. Gunn (182 pounds) defeated Nathan Traxler 7-3. Velazquez downed Raul Jaimes 6-1 at 220.
The younger Oughton beat Trace Carello 4-1. The match had a little extra spice as Oughton and Carello were the only freshman to qualify for state in the Class 3A 145-pound division.
Along with Corbett Oughton, Minooka graduates Danny Reuttiger (126) and Mike McNulty (138).
“We have three freshmen, four sophomores and four juniors in our regional lineup,” Charlebois said. “We’re young. Now it’s about going to work.”
