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Head coach Jim Heffernan added three talented in-state wrestlers to the class of 2009.
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Aug. 24, 2009
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois head coach Jim Heffernan announced the addition of three student-athletes to the class of 2009, which began classes Monday. Mario Gonzalez, of Aurora, Ill., Nate Millman, of Park Ridge, Ill., and John Van Duyne, of Wilmington, Ill., bring the Illini's current freshman class to five members as they join Sam White, of Massillon, Ohio, and Tony Dallago, of Harrisburg, Pa. Gonzalez will wrestle at 197 pounds for the Illini, while Millman and Van Duyne will vie for the spot at 149.
The additions give Illinois four state champions as Dallago, Gonzalez, Van Duyne and White all captured crowns in their high school careers. Gonzalez was the 2009 IHSA class 3A state champion at 189 pounds and was a three-time state qualifier at West Aurora High School. Van Duyne was a two-time state champion, winning the 135-pound 1A class in 2009 and the 125-pound 1A state title in 2008. Dallago won the 2009 Pennsylvania state title at 189, while White captured the 2009 Ohio crown at 125 and the 2007 title at 103.
Gonzalez also was a three-time DuPage Valley Conference champion and holds the WAHS record for single-season wins. Van Duyne placed second at 112 in 2007 and took third at 103 in 2006. Millman was a 2009 state qualifier at 140 after winning the Glenbrook South regional and helping Stevenson High School to a regional title.
