Survive and advance: Ironmen send seven wrestlers to Sectionals

Elijah Conda, Staff Writer

Feb 14, 2025

Caden Corell was one of two Ironmen to take home a regional championship in his weigh class. Jaren Frankowiak took the podium in at 175 pounds, his first time advancing to sectionals. Photo Courtesy of: Mr. Trevor Kaufman

Seven Ironmen wrestlers punched their tickets to the Joliet Central Sectional after placing at the IHSA Class 3A Normal Regional on Feb. 8. Under head coach Mr. Trevor Kaufman, the group will take to the mat on Feb. 14, fighting for a shot at state.

Senior Caden Corell dominated the 113-pound bracket, repeating as regional champion without surrendering an offensive point. Corell, who won each match by technical fall, returns to Sectionals for the fourth time in his career.

“My goal is to simply score as many points as I can,” Corell said.

Jaren Frankowiak (175) captured his second tournament title of the season, pinning No. 17-ranked Isaac Clauson of Joliet Catholic in the finals. The senior’s regional performance marked a breakthrough in his career.

“I’ve never made it out of Regionals before,” Frankowiak said. “I’ve made a lot of progress, and the hard work’s worth something.”

Joining the regional champions in Joliet are Jackson Soney, Carter Mayes, Mason Caraway, Cole Gentsch and Brayden Manning.

Soney (106) secured his second consecutive sectional berth, pinning both opponents to reach the finals. The sophomore fell to No. 6-ranked Kane Robles in the championship match but advanced with a runner-up finish.

Mayes (157) also finished second after falling to an opponent he had pinned earlier in the season. The junior hopes to win the rematch at Sectionals.

Caraway took second in the 215-pound weight class, earning his second straight trip to Sectionals.

Gentsch (126) rebounded from a quarterfinal loss to place third, earning his third consecutive sectional appearance.

Manning (132) survived a 9-7 thriller to qualify after falling in the semifinals. Despite clinching a sectional berth, the freshman wasn’t satisfied with his performance.

“I was holding on to matches, keeping them too close,” Manning said. “I should have scored more in that match.”

With a state tournament berth on the line, Manning has his sights set high.

“I want to place [in the] top four,” he said. “No one’s stopping me next weekend.”

Kaufman believes that could be true for all seven wrestlers, as the coach said they all have the potential to extend their seasons.

“Realistically, everyone that qualified [for sectionals] has a shot to go to state,” Kaufman said. “Whether we do that or not is up to them this week.”

If the athletes, Kaufman said, stay focused and confident, “they can make it.”

The Joliet Central Sectional tournament begins Friday and continues Saturday, Feb. 15.

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