By Mark Gregory
Editorial Director
@Hear_The_Beard
mark@buglenewspapers.com
The last wrestler to medal for Bolingbrook High School was then-sophomore Dylan Burnoski, who placed sixth in 2016 at 106 pounds.
A year later, Burnoski advanced to the state meet again, but lost in the opening round and did not place.
Prior to his junior season, Burnoski transferred from Bolingbrook to Montini Catholic in Lombard and placed fourth as a junior at 126.
Last weekend, he made his fourth and final trip to the state to the State Farm Center on the campus of the University of Illinois in Champaign and again came home with a fourth-place medal at 132.
It may not have been the finale Burnoski wanted, however, he is satisfied with the end of his career.
“It has been a great experience,” said Burnoski, who still resides in Bolingbrook. 9“It is tough not being top three after being predicted to be No. 2 all year. To fall short in a 2-0 match to the state champ was tough, but it is OK.
“This is my fourth time at state and unfortunately I took fourth again, but this is all a journey for college and I am excited for it. I have peaked so much at Montini.”
In the opening round, Burnoski pinned Peyton Schroeder of St. Charles East in 3 minutes, 11 seconds.
In the quarterfinal, Burnoski defeated Isaac Martinez of Moline 11-4.
In the semifinal match, he fell 2-0 to eventual state champion Eddie Bolivar of Oak Park-River Forest before bouncing back to defeat Nathan Callaway of Marmion Academy 6-1.
In the third-place match, Burnoski fell 3-1 in overtime to Stagg’s Domenic Zaccone to complete his high school career.
Burnoski will attend Clarion University of Pennsylvania, a Division-I wrestling school.
“I just want to keep growing and become better,” Burnoski said. “This will drive me more. This is a little bump in the road, but it will just push me harder to get where I want to be.”