Competing alongside other elite senior wrestlers from his home state, Villalobos helped Team Reagan defeat Indiana Blue during the annual postseason event, which was hosted at Joliet Catholic over the weekend. Villalobos became Rochelle’s first athlete to wrestle in the event, which pits the best high school wrestlers from Illinois and Indiana against each other, […]
Competing alongside other elite senior wrestlers from his home state, Villalobos helped Team Reagan defeat Indiana Blue during the annual postseason event, which was hosted at Joliet Catholic over the weekend. Villalobos became Rochelle’s first athlete to wrestle in the event, which pits the best high school wrestlers from Illinois and Indiana against each other, since Alex Harvey, who finished as the IHSA state runner-up during the 2017-18 high school season.
Villalobos scored three dual points for his team, earning a 3-0 decision against Indiana wrestler Cameron Woods at 126 pounds. The win closed the final chapter of an outstanding high school career for Villalobos, who made history as Rochelle’s first four-time IHSA state qualifier as well as the school’s first three-time IHSA state medalist in boys wrestling. Villalobos, who went 42-6 this season, became Rochelle’s first two-time IHSA state finalist since Pat Brownson in 2002-03.
“It means a lot that I was able to represent Rochelle one last time,” Villalobos said. “I always preach about being involved in this town and it really meant something to face Indiana and represent the ‘R’. I think we’re one of the best states for wrestling and it was really cool to win all three duals. Everybody wants to be the best and beat everyone else. Our coach said to us that he wants to make sure everyone knows that Illinois is one of the best wrestling states around.”
One of the program’s winningest wrestlers, Villalobos finished his RTHS career with a 169-23 overall record. Villalobos medaled in second at the IHSA state finals during his freshman and senior seasons in addition to finishing fifth during his junior season. A multi-sport athlete at RTHS, Villalobos played three years of varsity football, helping the Hubs reach the playoffs over all three seasons. Villalobos was an Interstate 8 Honorable Mention as a junior and senior.
By Russ Hodges, Sports Editor
“Illinois is more aggressive and as I was watching the other kids from Illinois, they were pushing the pace and wanting to get after it,” Villalobos said. “We wanted to put the pressure on them and be aggressive. I ended my senior season on a loss, which was devastating, but to have an opportunity to go back out and get a win… It felt good to get my hand raised one last time.”
JOLIET — Xavier Villalobos concluded his historic high school wrestling career with one final win on Sunday, when the Rochelle Township High School senior and two-time state finalist represented the Hubs and the state of Illinois during the 2025 Illinois-Indiana Classic Duals.
