Their last name is synonymous with football in the Southland, but Lincoln-Way East’s Tyson and Colton Zvonar are making a huge mark in a different sport.
The sons of Griffins football coach Rob Zvonar both became regional wrestling champions Saturday. Tyson, a senior and an Illinois Wesleyan wrestling recruit, won the title at 132 pounds, while Colton, a sophomore, prevailed at 190.
“It’s awesome,” Tyson said. “The best part is getting to do this with Colton. It’s a little bittersweet because it’s coming to an end in a couple weeks, but this was a great start to the postseason and hopefully we can finish the right way — down in Champaign on the podium.”
The Zvonar brothers helped spark a triumphant day for Lincoln-Way East. In what was widely expected to be a close team race, the Griffins dominated by running away with the Class 3A Rich Township Regional championship in Richton Park.
The Griffins (246 points) soared past Lincoln-Way West (203) and the rest of an eight-team field behind six champions as the Zvonar brothers were joined by JT Theis (126), Kaidge Richardson (144), Connor Schultz (150) and Gage LaDere (285).
Lincoln-Way East advanced to take on Edwardsville in a dual team sectional on Feb. 25 at a site to be announced.
Homewood-Flossmoor had four champions — Davion Henry (106), Chazz Robinson (120), Jovan Vukajlovic (157) and RJ Robinson (175).
Other individual champions were Lincoln-Way West’s Brady Glynn (113) and Nate Elstner (215) and Lincoln-Way Central’s Jadon Zimmer (138) and Jalen Byrd (165).
Colton Zvonar, meanwhile, continued his breakout season by coming out on top in his first time competing in a varsity regional.
Colton (29-6), who is ranked No. 6 at 190 by Illinois Matmen, rallied with a final-minute takedown to edge Lincoln-Way West’s Jimmy Talley 8-7 in the finals.
Colton kept his nerves together, which has been a challenge. In fact, his coaches always keep a bag in the corner in preparation for him to throw up.
“That’s an issue I’ve been trying to resolve, but sometimes it works,” Colton said. “It’s good luck, I guess.”
Of course, the nerves don’t stop with Colton.
“I get more nervous for his matches than my own because I can’t be out there controlling it,” Tyson said. “All bad thoughts are running through my mind like, ‘What happens if he doesn’t get this?’
“But he normally figures it out.”
As for their dad? He’s typically hiding in a corner somewhere when either son is on the mat.
“I’ve called a defense in double overtime of a state championship game and that was a piece of cake compared to this,” Rob said of watching his sons compete.
Tyson Zvonar (36-6), ranked No. 9 at 132, rolled to his title with a pin and a technical fall.
Tyson’s twin brother, Trey, is heading to Miami of Ohio to continue his football career. Colton calls himself “football first” as well.
But Tyson is taking a different path, heading to his father’s alma mater to wrestle at Illinois Wesleyan.
“Around freshman year, I kind of looked at myself in the mirror,” Tyson said. “I’m not the biggest guy in the world, but with this wrestling thing, it doesn’t matter. I could play football if I wanted to, but I just feel like I’d be a bit too small.
“I’ve had success in wrestling and hopefully I can continue that.”
First, the brothers will help Lincoln-Way East push for the program’s first trip to the team state finals. The Griffins are ranked No. 7 as a team and could reach the Class 3A semifinals before running into a higher-ranked opponent.
No matter what happens, Tyson and Colton will savor their final weeks as teammates.
“Me and him have been wrestling together since kindergarten,” Colton said. “We love our brother, Trey, of course, but us two have always had our own special bond with wrestling.
“We know how to get through hard situations together.”
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