Minooka Wrestling has been successful dating back to the 1960's. In '63 and '64 the Indians brought home conference wrestling titles.

The 1970's saw Minooka Wrestling take stage on the State Level. Starting in 1974, 2 Indians earned All-State honors - Steve Alberico ('74) and Mike Scarcelli ('74). The following year, ('75) Sophomore Mark Mitchell earned All-State Honors. In 1976 Mitchell would earn the school's first individual state championship. One match later, Reed Perry matched his teammates success winning the school's 2nd Individual State Championship. Their Performance was good enough to bring home the first IHSA State Trophy in school history (4th place 1976). In 1977, Mark Mitchell capped his historic career with a 2nd State title. In '79 the Indians were pushed into AA where RAY FONCK became the first AA State Placewinner (5th @98).

The 1980's saw the Indians back in Class A where the continued to have Individual and Team Successes. The Team won Regional Titles in 1983 - 1987 & 1989. In 1982 2 All-Staters were crowned Larry Grote (4th) and Dave Betzwiser(State Champ). In '83 Brant Pelton (3rd) and Grote (State Champ) managed to get to the State Podium.

The 1990's saw the Indians permanent movement to Class AA. The 1996 squad brought the Indians back to team success with a Regional Title. The 1997 and 1998 matched that feat with regional titles of there own. Blocked by the historically great Providence Teams of the 1990's, the Indians were never able to make it past the sectional level as a team. 1998 saw the Indians return to the podium at the individual state tournament as Tim Nilles (5th) placed in class AA. Ross Renken (5th) followed suit by earning all-state honors in 1999.

The 2000's started slow but ended with a flurry. In 2003 the Indians finally got past a pesky Plainfield Central program to win the Conference Championship. Losing a crazy close regional to Lasalle-Peru the Indians season was capped with the school's 6th State Champion. Russ Weil ripped through the 2015 lb State Bracket to claim his first of 2 State Titles. 2004 the Indians managed to win the Regional Title and won its first Sectional Title. Weil (State Champ) teamed up with Scott Shebber (6th) to bring home medals from the individual state tournament.

2005 saw a changing of the guard as the Indians graduated 8 seniors from the year before. The revamped team won the Conference and Regional Titles while losing to Bloomington in the sectional. Keith Cook (6th) kept the state podium streak alive as he placed 6th at Heavyweight.

2006 featured more Conference, Regional, and Sectional titles. At the Individual sectional, the Indians put 10 wrestlers in the final round with 8 individuals qualifying for the state tournament. The senior-heavy 2007 team topped the 2006 teams performance by putting 10 individuals in the final round and qualifying all 10 to the State Tournament. 4 individuals came home with All State Honors: Brian Bokoski (6th), Kevin Bokoski(6th), Ken Zabel (4th), Steve Olin (5th). The 2007 Indians won Conference, Regional, and Sectional Titles falling to Rockton-Hononegah in the Quarterfinals of the Team State Tournament. In 2008, the Indians had to remake themselves again. An influx of young talent helped the Indians bring home their 6th straight conference title.

2009 began an Epic run. Senior All-Stater's Brian Bokoski (5th) and Ryan Warczynski (6th) helped lead a young crop of talent. The Indians won a 7th straight conference title over Top 5 ranked Plainfield Central. One Week later the Indians defeated 3 top 10 teams to win the West Aurora Regional. In the Team Sectionals the Indians beat top 5 ranked Providence . (View the Final Minutes) (View2) The Indians would go on to beat Grant HS in the Quarterfinals and Glenbard North in the Semi-Finals of the Dual Team State Tournament. The Indians would fall to Oak-Park River Forrest in the State Championship bout.

2010 The Indians entered the season Ranked #1 in the State and ended the season as the Class 3a Dual Team State Champions. After collecting their 8th straight conference title, the Indians cruised to Regional and Sectional Titles. In the State Dual Quarterfinals the Indians Defeated the Defending State Champion OPRF Huskies and then beat Glenbard North in the semis. In the State Championship bout the Indians fell behind 16-0 before freshman Corbett Oughton pulled out a momentum changing Overtime victory at 106. Wins by Leo Ruettiger, Bobby Zabel, Blake Montella, Sean Kenny, Jake Residori, and Kalvin Hill lead to a dramatic final bout pitting Freshman Matt Meyers vs senior Jake Fishback. The Freshman prevailed and sealed the Indians First State Championship. Individually Senior Sean Kenny (6th) and Jake Residori (6th) made it to the podium at the Individual State Tournament.

The 2011 Indians won their 9th Consecutive conference title along with a Regional Championship and a dramatic Sectional championship over private school power Marist. A Quarterfinal win over West Aurora and a semi-final win over Machesney Park Harlem pitted the Indians vs Glenbard North in the Championship. The Panthers came out on top this time as the Indians finished as the class 3a State Runner-up. Individually Sean Kenny (6th) and Jake Residori(5th) made the podium while Kalvin Hill earned the 7th Individual State Title in school history.

In 2012 & 2013 the Indians once again won regional and sectional titles qualifying for the Dual Team state tournament, losing in the Quarterfinals. In 2012 Jake Residori became the 2nd 3 time all-stater and 8th Individual State Champion in school history. Corbett Oughton(4th) joined Residori on the podium in 2012. In 2013 Corbett(4th) teamed up with Carson Oughton (6th) to earn all-state honors. Carson(3rd) returned to the podium in 2015 with a 3rd place finish.

In 2018, the Indians reclaimed the Conference and Regional Titles. In the Sectional Dual the Indians defeated the Defending State Champions, Lockport Twp. While the Indians only managed to win 6 matches on the night, 5 were by pin, including 4 of the last 5 matches. Minooka lost in the quarterfinals to State Runner Up OPRF.

In 2019 Minooka once again topped a successful regular season with a conference title. Minooka fell to Lincoln Way West in a tight regional race. 2020 saw a Minooka individual return to the state podium as Drew Gutknecht earned a 6th place medal. 2021 (the year of covid) Minooka made the best of an odd Spring Season as they won the Conference Title. Individually Jack McClimon advanced to the Grand March and placed 2nd.

Have some Info?

Please contact us at wrestling@mchs.net to provide any additional information on the Rich History of Minooka Wrestling.