Anthony Gutierrez, St. He handed over Charles East to the state

Looking back, St. Charles East young Anthony Gutierrez He survived the tough fight.

That was the takeaway for Gutierrez, who faced some of the best wrestlers in the country at the Class 3A individual state meet last weekend at the State Farm Center in Champaign.

“I wasn’t very happy with my results,” said Gutierrez, a team-first type of guy. “But I went out there and faced some top Division I athletes and showed what I could do.

“I’m now ready to move on and take it to the next level.”

The next stage was set after Gutierrez helped the Saints to a 49-21 victory over Maine South in the Class 3A Addison Trail Dual Team Sectional on Tuesday night in Addison.

Gutierrez’s first-period success off junior Aidan Swenson helped St. St. Charles East (21-0) ended a wave of six consecutive wins in the fall as it built an insurmountable 36-3 lead.

Gutierrez (39-12) is a crucial cog for the Saints at 165 pounds. The Saints will look to repeat the state title in the quarterfinals against Rockton Hononegah at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington on Friday starting at 5 p.m.

In the individual state meet, Gutierrez finished in fourth place with 165 points. His only losses came against wrestlers who placed second and third, respectively, with an overall record of 113-4.

“It was great wrestling against them,” he said. “And I see where I am now.”

Gutierrez also improved from where he was a year ago. He placed sixth at 160 as a sophomore. 113 pounds for a sophomore Dom MunarettoIt’s his speed that deserves this place.

“He’s really competitive,” Munaretto said of Gutierrez. “He always works hard; The kind of guy who always gives 100%. “He is a warrior and plays a huge role in our team’s success.”

A closer look at the results of the state finals shows just how close Gutierrez is to the top.

He took Lyons’ second player, Gunnar Garelli, into overtime in a one-point defeat in the semi-final. Gutierrez then struggled in the third-place match against Quincy’s Owen Uppinghouse in a tough 7-4 upset.

St. “It was all about winning in both of these games,” the St. Charles East coach said. Jason Potter aforementioned. “I think he earned a lot of respect, even if he came up a little short.

“I think he put his name into the conversation and people realized he was a real person.”

At 6-foot-4, Gutierrez combines size, reach, length and power.

“He has made tremendous strides since his freshman year,” Potter said.

Gutierrez, an outside linebacker for the Saints in football, has a blend of athleticism, durability, quickness and strength. And that’s not all.

“I think my style is unpredictable,” he said. “I like to use that size with my upper body to grab my ankles when I’m on my feet or just to feint and step forward. I like to grab and get to the top.”

Football was the original path to wrestling. He followed the path of some of his friends who were wrestling since he was 6 years old.

“I decided to try it and I loved it,” he said. “There were different parts that I really fell in love with. It was easy to score a goal, but it was also very difficult.

“I train really hard, but I also know that this sport has no insurance. Everything is in your hands. “I always make sure no one is trying harder than me.”

Outside of sports, Gutierrez is more thoughtful and also highlights his love of fishing. He is outgoing, friendly and success-oriented.

Being part of a national powerhouse program that features three Big Ten recruits is part of the excitement.

“My dad was a good athlete, and that’s what I love most about this sport,” Gutierrez said. “I make my family proud of me.”

Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.