Scouting DuPage County wrestling

Top teams: Montini, Glenbard North, Downers Grove South, Naperville North, Glenbard East, Wheaton Warrenville South, Hinsdale Central, Glenbard West, Wheaton North, Waubonsie Valley.

Top athletes: Addison Trail: Karim Fuentes, jr., 285; Mike Huynh, sr., 113; Anthony Metallo, sr., 152; Jaime Valdez, sr., 126; Downers Grove North: Andy Gunderson, sr., 138; Austin Maher, soph., 152; Edwin Phillips, sr., 285; Jamil Smith, jr., 220; Pat Walker, jr., 120; Downers Grove South: Ahmir Hooks, jr., 126; Shawn Jager, sr., 152; Tyree Johnson, jr., 145; Joe Nugent, sr., 138; Marcus Rutledge, sr., 285; Glenbard East: Sean Corey, sr., 182; Nick Donovan, soph., 106; D'Andre Johnson, sr., 285; Fred Morris, sr., 160; Nolan Vincent, jr., 120; Glenbard North: Patrick Augustyn, sr., 120; Jimique Davis, sr., 170; Austin Gomez, soph., 113; Luke Greenberg, sr., 195; Kirk Johansen, sr., 106; Colton Wegner, sr., 170; Glenbard South: Mike Bertone, jr., 126; Younis Dhaher, sr., 106; ; Frank Stramaglia, sr., 170; Glenbard West: Charles Faber, soph., 106; Alex Morreale, sr., 170; Nate Orrison, sr., 182; Adam Samuta, sr., 138; Patrick Thurmond, sr., 145; Hinsdale Central: Matt Allen, jr., 285; Juwan Edmond, sr., 152; James Manikas, sr., 145; Matt Price, sr., 120; Hinsdale South: Nick Carlson, sr., 145; Trechan Hickman, sr., 160; Josh King, jr., 220; Roman Prohorchuk, sr., 182; Danish Quershi, soph., 113; Lake Park: Mark Badger, sr., 113; Kenny Jones, sr., 182; Jackson Schoen, jr., 145; Tyler Vittal, sr., 195; Tristan Zabiniski, sr., 132; Lisle: Jared Arellano, sr., 285; John Harmon, sr., 132; Mark Piver, soph., 145; Joey Ventrella, sr., 138; Metea Valley: Axl Ariza, sr., 113; Yuri Arisza, jr., 120; Kenan Carter, sr., 152; Sam Elston, sr., 170; Joey Riordan, sr., 106; Jake Toepfer, jr., 138; Montini: Dylan Duncan, jr., 126; Caleb Fortuna, jr., 132; Luke Fortuna, sr., 152; Michael Johnson, sr., 285; Xavier Montalvo, sr., 170; Jimmy Pawelski, jr., 106; Vince Turk, sr., 138; Naperville Central: Riley Guttosch, sr., 160; Ricky Marciniak, sr., 145; Shuji Mizoguchi, jr., 13; Derek Wilke, sr., 120; Ben Williamson, sr., 138; Naperville North: Adam Burkhart, sr., 145; Aaron Kruk, jr., 132; Chase Llanes, sr., 138; David Mondero, sr., 152; Chris Zhang, sr., 220: Neuqua Valley: Jackson Modaff, soph., 160; Maurice Mitchell, jr., 120; Bradley Schoedel, sr., 138; Austin Singer, jr., 145; DJ Warkenthien, sr., 220; Waubonsie Valley: Tyler Caldwell, jr., 285; Justin Foster, sr., 126; Max Ihry, jr., 220; Mason Kroening, soph., 170; Nick Sondag, soph., 182; West Chicago: Juan Aceves, jr., 132; Emmanuel Garcia, sr., 113; John Garcia, sr., 195; Michael Otzwirk, sr., 170; Luis Perez, jr., 120; Wheaton Academy: Josh Dutton, sr., 195; Charlie Gelser, soph., 138; Aidan Naylor, jr., 170; Levi Severson, sr., 145; Noah Severson, fr., 120; Wheaton North: Devin Donovan, soph., 152; Frankie Indelli, soph., 138; Duncan Nelson, soph., 145; Bryce Thurston, jr., 126; Dylan Thurston, jr., 132; Micah Volle, sr., 160; Wheaton Warrenville South: in George Beck, sr., 195; Cory Drummond, sr., 132; Ben Flores, sr., 126; Qarin Johnnic, sr., 138; Willowbrook: Trevor Bell, jr., 120; Christian Chavez, sr., 220; Jack Jessen, fr., Matt Rowland jr.,160; Andrew Verr, jr., 113; Steve Berg, sr., 195; TJ Helton, jr., 285; Taylor Hoffman, jr., 145; Michael Ordonez, jr., 138.

Scouting report: It was not the way Glenbard North expected its wrestling season to end on the final Tuesday in February last year. Three days after Jered Cortez became a four-time state champion for the storied program, the Panthers were stunned by Conant 27-26 in the team sectional final. "It's a big motivation for me," legendary Glenbard North coach Mark Hahn said of Conant ending the Panthers' seven-year streak of qualifying for the Class 3A team finals. "It left a bad taste in their mouths last year. They didn't like the way the season ended last year." Glenbard North, which captured its 16th consecutive DuPage Valley Conference` championship last year, has six athletes returning with previous appearances at the individual state tournament. Johansen is the top-ranked 106-pounder in the state. Gomez, a fellow reigning all-stater, holds the same distinction at 120 pounds. The Panthers' historical penchant for dominance at the lower weights continues with Augustyn, ranked No. 4 at 126 pounds. Wegner is a viable contender for a top finish in February at 170 pounds. Davis gives Hahn additional firepower after missing last season with an injury. "We have some high expectations for this group," Hahn said. "They came out of the gates pretty fast (by winning the Conant tournament over Thanksgiving)."

In most years the area would be dotted with returning state medal-winners. But the number of reigning all-staters is noticeably slim among local Class 3A competitors. But that is not to suggest the area is bereft of talent. Jessen is a name to remember as he begins his first season at Willowbrook. "He is the best freshman in (Willowbrook) history," said Bryan Murphy, who retired last season after 14 years at the helm at the Villa Park school. His son, Brandon, is the Warriors' new coach. "(Jessen) is the No. 1-ranked freshman in the nation at 170 pounds," the younger Murphy said. The statement by the elder Murphy is considerable as Willowbrook has produced three undefeated state champions since the turn of the century in former NFL player Matt Roth, Mike Benhke and Steve Congenie. Willowbrook also has a fearsome returning all-stater in Rowland, who enters the season ranked No. 3 at 160 pounds.

One-hundred and ninety-five pounds could provide a major storyline come February. Glenbard North senior Greenberg and conference rival Vittal of Lake Park are ranked in the top four. "I expect Tyler to compete for a state title," said first-year Lancers coach Anthony Cirrinciona. Metea Valley senior Carter is charting new horizons for the program at the same weight. Carter enters the season with tremendous confidence after becoming an All-American at the famed Fargo, N.D., national tournament last summer. It is not the only distinction he holds. "(Carter) is the first Division I college wrestler in program history," Metea Valley coach Claudio Torres said after the senior committed to Old Dominion.

The Mustangs are poised to end the two-year Upstate Eight Conference run of Waubonsie Valley. Riordan and Axl Aruza are both state ranked at their weight classes. Metea Valley joins Glenbard North and Downers North as top-20 teams in the state, according to the authoritative website illinoismatmen.com. But Torres said he has one overriding concern when it comes to the Valley Division, which welcomes new members Glenbard East and West Aurora this winter. "In the Valley it's all about going 2-0 against Neuqua and Waubonsie," Torres said. "I think we have a solid team. My goal is to be the conference champs." Waubonsie Valley has an imposing challenge to win its third straight league championship. "We lost nine (starters) to graduation," Waubonsie Valley coach Brad Caldwell said. "We're definitely not at the championship level yet. We are working to get better and see where it takes us at the end of the season." Third Indian Prairie high school Neuqua Valley will build its program around Warkenthien, who enters the year as the fourth-ranked 220-pounder. "We have some nice (athletes) in our starting lineup," said Mick Ruettiger, the only coach in Wildcats history. "When the kids buy into what you are trying to teach in the room, you're going to get better." Ruettiger sees Glenbard East and traditional power West Aurora - who both moved over from the DuPage Valley - as making the Valley much tougher. "Glenbard East is going to make some noise," Ruettiger predicted. The Rams have the top-ranked heavyweight in the state in Johnson. The division also features two Hinsdale athletes - King from Hinsdale South and Allen from Hinsdale Central - as top state contenders. Allen has two older brothers, Jack and Brian - both members of the Michigan State football team - who were onetime state champions. King, on the other hand, will start the season at 220 pounds. Addison Trail coach Rob Serio looks to end the historic dominance of Downers South in the West Suburban Gold. But the Mustangs have Nugent, one of the top 138-pounders in the state. "I would put ourselves right up there with Downers South and Willowbrook," Serio said. "I think we match up well with both of them." In the Silver, Hinsdale Central senior Edmond attempts to become a four-time state medal-winner after falling short in the 145-pound state-title match last season.

The IHSA rescinded its decision to move private schools with historic success up a division. Thus, Montini will be an overwhelming favorite to win its seventh consecutive Class 2A title this winter. The Broncos have yet another powerhouse lineup with three returning state champions in Duncan, Turk and Montalvo. Johnson was stunned by a fall in the heavyweight final last year, but the senior is nationally ranked this season.

Key dates: Dec. 12-13 Ironman; Dec. 20 Lake Park Ralph Krupke Memorial; Dec. 22-23 Dvorak; Dec. 26-27 Hinsdale Central Rex Witlatch; Dec. 26-27 Palatine Berman Classic; Jan 2-3 Cheesehead; Jan. 2-3 The Clash; Jan. 10, Geneva Invitational; Jan. 17, Batavia Invitational; Jan. 23-24 Conference championships; Jan. 30-31 DuPage Valley Conference championship.

- Kevin McGavin