Wrestling: Scouting Lake County
NORTH SUBURBAN CONFERENCE
Lake Division
Lake Zurich
Coach: Dan Strickler (19th season)
Last year’s record: sixth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Zach Ullman (state qualifier), Alex Nigro (state qualifier)
Top returning competitors: seniors Matt Mueller (138), Zeke Honegger (152), Scott Hoff (160), Ty Kapitzky (170), Alex Kubes (182), Adam Cantwell (220); juniors Jerry Nigro (113), Apollo Millon (285), Robert Roscheuteher (138/145);sophomore Sean Lynch (138/145, NSC champ), Brandon Arteaga (132)
Key newcomers: juniors Elias Honegger (106), Emilio Nava (120), Michael Peters (126), Nick Tuthill (145)
Outlook: The Bears are heading into the 2011-12 season with a team-first attitude as they await some football players to complete their full varsity roster. Despite losing two state qualifiers to graduation, Lake Zurich hopes to once again put together a very competitive squad by the end of the regular season.
Libertyville
Coach: Dale Eggert (25th season)
Last year’s record: 16-5 overall, NSC champions, Lake Division champions, second in regionals
Top graduated seniors: Luke Gaeth (state qualifier, Milwaukee School of Engineering), Luke Miller (state qualifier), Kevin Tavakoli (state qualifier), Sayad Banifazl, David Allen
Top returning competitors: seniors Charlie Meyer (132), Pat Fitzgerald (126, 2010 state qualifier, NSC champ), Kyle May (120), Mike Coutre (145); juniors Austin Pettinato (145), Sal Ayala (160); sophomores Kayne MacCallum (152), Noah Strong (106), Nick Andrews (132/138)
Key newcomers: seniors Josh Hirth (138), J.J. Tucker-Shead (138), Connor O’Donnell (170), Connor Egan (182), David Edstrom (220); juniors Pat Stacy (170), Joey Nield (195); sophomores Steve Polakowski (113), Colton Bast (132), Austin Koziol (170), Kevin Barbian (195), Tim Grote (195), Chris McDermand (285); freshman Joey Gunther (138)
Outlook: After losing eight seniors to graduation including three state qualifiers, the Wildcats return in 2011-12 with a young put very competitive squad overall. In spite of its inexperience, Libertyville should be ready to face tough challenges from Grant and Warren in its quest for a fourth straight NSC championship.
Mundelein
Coach: Tom Buenik (eighth season)
Last year’s record: eighth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Payton Cruz (state qualifier, Harper), Pablo Mata (state qualifier), Max Infante, Kevin Drehobl
Top returning competitors: seniors Matt Ornoff (138/145, two-time state qualifier), Gilbert Ceniceros (126), Dan Winberg (145/152), Connor O’Shaughnessy (138), Spencer Ward (170), Frankie Ruiz (220);junior Jake Long (152);sophomore Ray Ceniceros (106)
Key newcomers: junior Javier Dominguez (160;sophomore Matt Hutchinson (120), Sam Riportella (113), Gustavo Tercero (132)
Outlook: Like many of the other teams in the NSC, the Mustangs will also be fielding a young and relatively inexperienced squad this winter. Mundelein does have the benefit of elite senior Matt Ornoff to help lead their troops, but it will not be an easy road in the powerful Lake Division.
Stevenson
Coach: Shane Cook (sixth season)
Last year’s record: third in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Danny Sabatello (two-time state champion, Purdue), Brandon Weber (state qualifier, Wisconsin), Marc Futterman (state qualifier, Harper), Ken Waks, Jacob Weiss, Alex Garvin, Scott Dahlin, Max Nolan, Ryan Levine
Top returning competitors: seniors Mark Jolcover (106), Alec Berger (126); juniors Justin Weber (152), Ned Valchev (182), Ian Burns (170)
Key newcomers: seniors Shea Lewis (160), Corey Edidin (285); juniors Paul Marcson (120), Cole Neuman (138); sophomores David Cadieux (113), Chad Berryman (132), Spencer Barco (145), Seth Harris (220)
Outlook: The loss of nine senior starters, including two-time state champion Danny Sabatello will certainly leave some major holes in the Patriots’ lineup this season. But Stevenson will try to regroup as well as possible with many newcomers striving to step up and make an impact at the varsity level.
Warren
Coach: Jim Ouimette (second season)
Last year’s record: 16-2 overall, second in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Josh Dust (UW-Platteville), T.J. Parker (state qualifier, Missouri), Brandon Tyler (UW-Whitewater)
Top returning competitors: seniors Aaron Brewton (152), Shakhiem Chapman (195); juniors Mike Malles (106), Craig Mason (113), Martin Martinez (120), Blake Howard (132), Danny Hicks (182);sophomore Israel Santiago (126, state qualifier)
Key newcomers: seniors James Dadabo (138), Alex Santiago (160), Gabe Butts (195), Matt Miller (220), Justin Zybinski (285); juniors Tj Kuhn Jr. (126), Jeremy Andrews (145); sophomores Elijah Parker (120), Morgan Drew (126), Tyler Gottlieb (138), Lucas Fulton (170)
Outlook: The 16th-ranked Blue Devils have a lot of experience and talent back from a squad that took second in the NSC last year. If all goes well, Warren can really push three-time defending champion Libertyville or Grant for the NSC crown in 2012.
Prairie Division
Antioch
Coach: Wilbur Borrero (eighth season)
Last year’s record: tied for fourth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Brandon Schultz (state qualifier), Hunter Moseley (state qualifier)
Top returning competitors: seniors George Gonzalez (145/152, two-time state qualifier, 4th at 145 in Class 2A, NSC champ), Zach Epker (195/220, two-time state qualifier, NSC champ), Zach Freundt (182/195, state qualifier), Mike Morales (132/138), Teddy Montemayor (195/220);junior Mike Gussarson (126/132, state qualifier); sophomores Briley Schultz (106), Zac Keller (152/160)
Key newcomers: seniors John Bieschke (152/160), Pat Unida (113/120); juniors Johnny Denikas (138/145), Joey Maloney (285), Grant Smith (113/120), Shannon Mahar (132/138), David Camacho (120/126); sophomores Ryan LaCroix (120/126), Gunner Skoog (138/145), Kyle Nichols (285)
Outlook: With four of their six state qualifiers back in the lineup, the Sequoits are in the position to put together another great season. As usual, Antioch will face a lot of tough competition in the NSC, and the sectional will be even tougher with some former Class 3A individuals joining the 2012 field. The Sequoits will have some big shoes to fill without the services of the injured Epker early in the season.
Grant
Coach: Ryan Geist (13th season)
Last year’s record: 16-6 overall, seventh in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Jose Jimenez, Mike Balams, Jake Moore, Paul Stressler, Brett Conway
Top returning competitors: seniors Ben Soumar (120), Quinton Quarles (220), Nick Kramer (113), Charles Williams (160); juniors Tony Cashmore (170), Nick Fanella (138), Dan Haeffele (285)
Key newcomers: seniors Ryan Volpe (152), Kole Harvey (195); juniors Paul Steffan (132), Andrew Vroman (160); sophomores Troy Parent (113), Nick Koch (106), Steve Herrington (182); freshman Noah Drabek (126)
Outlook: After having their string of 10 straight Prairie Division titles snapped by Wauconda last winter, the 11th-ranked Bulldogs are on a mission to return to the top of the entire NSC this season. Grant has a lot of senior leadership back to set the tone, but the Bulldogs will face some tough competition from three-time defending champion Libertyville and Warren.
Lakes
Coach: Curt Onstad (seventh season)
Last year’s record: 6-15 overall, 11th in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Kyle Gibson (state qualifier, Loras College), Kyle Sherman, Terence Shapcott, David Kosmen, Zach Belcher
Top returning competitors: seniors Tyler Booth (145, state qualifier), Jose Collado (138, state qualifier);sophomore Kavon Mulloy (152)
Key newcomers: senior Oliver Shapcott (170); juniors David Gregory (160), Kale Milette (120);sophomore Josh Cramer (126/132); freshman Levi Smith (120/126)
Outlook: Without the depth to fill out an entire 14-man roster at the varsity level, the Eagles will have a tough time competing this season from a team standpoint. But there are two very bright spots for Lakes to build around behind returning state qualifiers Booth and Collado.
Round Lake
Coach: Mike Hruska (third season)
Last year’s record: 14th in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Giovanni Naverette, Jose Arellano
Top returning competitors: seniors Dan Vega (160), Adrian Real (138/145), Anthony Burton (170), Jeremy Garcia (152/160), Lucas Berry (220); juniors Videl Arteaga (120), Matt Hanson (106), Mike Casavant (126)
Key newcomers: senior Juan Garcia (195); juniors Jorge Villa (132/138), Christian Mahera (182), Zach Williamson (152); sophomores Juan Mena (138/145), Thomas Magallen (285); freshmen Dan Arteaga (113), Nic Moore (126/132)
Outlook: With just about everybody back from last season, the Panthers should really be ready to turn the corner in the Prairie Division this season. Round Lake will have much more depth and experience to fall back on when regional competition rolls around.
Vernon Hills
Coach: Jerry Micelli (12th season)
Last year’s record: 10th in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Gideon Yim (2nd at 125 in Class 2A, Johnson & Wales, RI), Vin Tran, Connor Bryson, Riley Adkisson
Top returning competitors: seniors Jeremy Brazil (285, 2nd at 285 in Class 2A, NSC champ), Danny Klema (152/160, two-time state qualifier), Tim Claussen (195), Jeremy Sullivan (160/170), Patrick Conrad (120/126); juniors David Pierce (145/152, state qualifier), Ben Turley (170), Jake Hallandorff (145), Zach Eckstrom (182)
Key newcomers: sophomores Jordan Reich (106), Felipe Vasquez (125, 132)
Outlook: The Cougars will really miss the presence of three-time state qualifier Yim in their program, but Brazil, Klema, and Pierce all competed downstate last February. Vernon Hills has some pretty good numbers this season, but it must avoid any major injuries to remain competitive in the conference.
Wauconda
Coach: Tom Nance (28th season)
Last year’s record: 17-4 overall, tied for fourth in NSC, Prairie Division champions
Top graduated seniors: Brian Kent (2nd at 215 in Class 2A, Wayne State- football), Pete Kootstra (4th at 160 in Class 2A, Milwaukee School of Engineering), Tim Alvarado, Aaron Allard, Nick Cordova
Top returning competitors: senior Jake Sherman (195/220); juniors Devin Tortorice (120/126, state qualifier, NSC champ), Bruce Pearl (145/152, state qualifier), Elias Mazikowski (132/138), Tyler Holt (126/132), Damien Nelson (132/138), Owen Wolfe (106/113);sophomore Nate Magiera (195/220, state qualifier)
Key newcomers: seniors Ryan Efflandt (120), Emmanuel Pacheco (170/182), Jeremy Olson (160), Nick Schaer (182), Lucas Bernard (160/170); juniors Tommy Mason (132/138) Trevor Wuebben (170), Will Danner (220/285); sophomores Alex Schwickrath (152/160), Max Mattlaino (285)
Outlook: The Bulldogs lost a lot of experience and talent to graduation from a team that dethroned Grant as the 10-time Prairie Division champions last season. But Wauconda still has three returning state qualifiers on its squad to remain competitive in the upcoming campaign.
FOX VALLEY CONFERENCE
Grayslake Central
Coach: Dan Catanzaro (third season)
Last year’s record: 14-10 overall, 8th in FVC, 3rd in Valley Division
Top graduated seniors: Kevin Hein (3rd at 215 in Class 2A, Wartburg College), Tom Browne (Augustana), Bobby Raines (two-time state qualifier), John Curtis
Top returning competitors: seniors Joey Valdivia (195, two-time state qualifier, 3rd in Class 2A at 189), Dylan Hay (145, 2010 state qualifier), Mark Long (152), Tom Halloran (132), Sean Keever (138), Chris Wollmuth (138), Jimmy Molitor (182);junior Davonta Jennings (138)
Key newcomers: junior Cameron Hosimer (285); sophomores John Muno (106), Matt Morrissey (120), Connor O’Neil (285); freshman Jonathan Makey (126)
Outlook: The Rams hope to be competitive in conference and regionals and they should be able to do that with an abundance of returning seniors on the varsity level. Grayslake Central did lose two state qualifiers to graduation, but Valdivia and Hay give the team a great nucleus to build around this winter.
Grayslake North
Coach: Ryan West (first season)
Last year’s record: second in FVC, second in Valley Division
Top graduated seniors: Rich Downes (two-time state qualifier), Corey Bergstrom, Sean Bergstrom
Top returning competitors: seniors Angel Cabrera (120, state qualifier), Jimmy Prince (182, 2010 state qualifier), Nick Klein (113), Aaron Hoover (145/152), Andrew Soulis (170), Zach Young (195), Kasen Christiansen (285); juniors Stone Dax (160, state qualifier) Luke Pritchett (106), A.J. Downes (126/132)
Key newcomers: juniors Joel Armenta (138), Colin Grever (145), Sheldon Keel (152/160);sophomore Noe Perez; freshmen Manny Cabrera (106), Austin Cloe (126/132)
Outlook: With so many key pieces returning to the lineup again this season, the Knights look like they are primed for another very strong finish in the FVC. Grayslake North will also have a lot of individuals with the potential to advance downstate. But the road is expected to be much tougher with some former Class 3A individuals now competing in the field.
East Suburban Catholic Conference
Carmel
Coach: Bob Kuykendall (fourth season)
Last year’s record: 14-7 overall, sectional qualifiers
Top graduated seniors: Dan Carvill, Brian Waldron, Mike Patrone, Evan Palmer, Bobby Dandino, Tim Hourihan, David Heath, Max Moyer
Top returning competitors: senior Hayden Roos (138); juniors Jake Cochrane (285), Jimmy Dandino (152), Marty Schwartz (132), Pat Kotek (120);sophomore Dom Panico (113)
Key newcomers: freshman Brodie Palm (106)
Outlook: Losing 10 seniors to graduation from last year’s sectional qualifying team has put the Corsairs in a rebuilding mode this season. Carmel is moving down from Class 3A to Class 2A this season so it will be headed into uncharted territory once regional competition gets underway.