St. Charles East wrestler Isaiah Vela ended his freshman season as the fourth-place 119-pound wrestler at the IHSA Class 3A state tournament. Two years later, the Saints junior is in position to place third, as he prepares for today’s wrestleback quarterfinal against Johnny Gosinski of Glenbard North.

After winning Thursday’s preliminary match at the University of Illinois’ Assembly Hall, Vela lost a 3-0 decision to Marmion senior George Fisher in Friday’s quarterfinals, then rallied to beat Kevin Conrad of Barrington, 6-2, in his first wrestleback match.

Kane County Chronicle sports reporter Kevin Druley caught up with Vela at Assembly Hall for this week’s edition of the Weekend Chit-chat. The following is an edited transcript: