Prospect pleased with 4th-place Moore/Prettyman finish

Prospect rode a championship from Matt Wroblewski and seven other medalists to capture fourth-place at the 24th Moore-Prettyman Wrestling Invitational on Saturday night in Barrington.

The Knights secured their best-finish ever for coach Tom Whalen with 157.50 overall points, 4 better than Grant (153.5) and 7 more than Mid-Suburban League rival Barrington.

Lyons Township used a big finish in the afternoon sessions to outscore runner-up Lincoln-Way Central (208.5-185) and Yorkville (159).

"None of us on the coaching staff can remember when we've finished in the top five here, not even Gary McMorrow, who's been around forever," said Whalen with a smile. "But this is a nice accomplishment for the guys, who know it's still just the start of a long season, and one that we'll need to continue to work hard through if we hope to have a successful ending to the wrestling season."

Wroblewski, who was a regional champion a year ago in his freshman season, was joined by in successful trophy bids by freshman Markus Hartman (Barrington) at 106, Dylan Thurston (Wheaton North) at 130, Eric Barone (Crystal Lake South) at 145 and Josh King of Hinsdale South who, fresh off football season, outlasted Prospect senior James Ford (3-0) to capture the 220-pound title.

Wroblewski's victory was a product of hard work, according to his coach.

"Matt has been working his tail off ever since the season ended last year," said Whalen, "and being in a room with guys like his brother (Adrian), James (Ford), Tanner Strobel and others who push each other every day in the room is part of the reason he came out ahead today."

Wroblewski caught Broncos 2014 state qualifier Julius Smith at five 5 minutes to take the lead for good en route to a 7-5 victory.

"Julius is such a great athlete, which makes him so dangerous, so when that one chance came to me, I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity," said Wroblewski.

"Matt could face Julius maybe 4-5 more times this year, but getting a win the first time out is always a great way to start against a great opponent like him," Whalen said.

Hartman opened the championship round with a stunning 5-4 OT win (in tiebreaker) over two-time state qualifier Darvell Flagg of Joliet West. Hartmann, who'd cruised into the finals with a pair of pins and a 10-5 victory in the semifinals, fell behind late in the first period, drew even at three minutes and then trailed 4-2 heading into the third period.

An escape made it 4-3 early in the third before a penalty for stalling leveled the match at 4-4, which is where it stood after three extra sessions. Hartmann prevailed to give new coach Dave Udchik his first tournament champion.

"Markus never gets rattled, and it showed when he got down early in the match, and later when he went through overtime against an experienced, state qualifier," said Udchik.

"I knew he was starting to get gassed as the match went on," explained Hartmann, "so I just kept pushing the pace, which led to that stalling call, and after that I felt that I had more left than he did. So I kept working and working until the end."

Barrington's Connor Boundy fell short against his good friend Barone 7-2 in the 145-pound final to give the two-time state qualifier for Crystal Lake South his first title here in three tries.

"Connor and I have been workout partners for two-plus years, so we know what the other will do nearly every time, which makes wrestling someone like that pretty difficult," said Barone. "He's a great friend, but I have to admit it was fantastic to finally win a title here on my third and last try. But as good as it felt to win it all, it's just the beginning of a long journey, which hopefully ends on top of the podium in Champaign."

Barone is one of the state favorites at 145, while Boundy, who was unable to join Smith and Mitch Stathakis downstate last season, feels his chances have been enhanced by the arrival of Udchik and a room full of enthusiasm positive attitudes.

"It's so much more intense in the room, and coach (Udchik) is full of drive and hard work himself," said Boundy, who won 29 times last season. "I feel like this team is capable of big things this year, and for myself, I look forward to having lots of success as well."

Thurston finished with a flourish. The senior picked up the top prize at 132 pounds after a hard-fought 10-7 victory over Garrett Dziedzic of Crystal Lake South in a bout between two returning state qualifiers.

The Wheaton North senior began this match in trouble, falling behind 2-0 after one minute. But after conceding a 1-point escape to begin the second period, the fourth-place state medalist from last year came to life, equalizing at 3-3, then 4-4 and finally breaking a 5-5 tie to take the lead for good with a late deuce in a 10-7 decision.

"Dylan has a nonstop motor, and you got a good look at it in that final when he kept going and going," said Wheaton North coach Travis Cherry. "When he's on like that, there's few who can stay with him, and that's why I believe he can be challenge for a state title in Champaign if he continues wrestling this way."

"I am usually a slow starter, but I know when I find my rhythm I can stay with anyone, especially with the way my conditioning and fitness is," said Thurston.

The Falcons finished just behind the tourney hosts in seventh place with 143 points.

King overcame a physically and mentally draining two days to give coach Kevin Formanski the Hornets' lone championship.

"Josh hung there for us after getting just two days on the mats this week after the end of the football season, and although he's a fantastic athlete who is great physical condition, he'll even admit he's not in wrestling shape right now," said Formanski. "And it obviously showed as some of his matches went the full six minutes - but give him a little bit of time, and you'll see the explosiveness that helps set him apart from others."

"I ran out of gas in my last three matches, and especially in the second period of my final," said King, "but I still was able to get the win and the title."

Hinsdale Central senior Juwan Edward was named MVP of the tournament for his sparkling work during his run to a 152-pound title.