Wrestling: Scouting Lake County
NORTH SUBURBAN LAKELake ZurichCoach: Dan Strickler (22nd season)
Last year's record: sixth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Sean Lynch (three-time state qualifier, football at Drake), Brandon Arteaga (state qualifier), Alex Zurawski (state qualifier), Tommy Fales, Mike Penny
Top returning competitors: seniors Tommy Clancy (152), Josh Spiwak (132), Ethan Honegger (138), Max Brummel (145); junior Travis Nix (113)
Key newcomers: senior John Strojny (195); juniors Peter Maretis (160), Pete Baldaccini (170); sophomores Nick Swanson (126), Josh Dyer (220), Greg McLain (285); freshmen Max Wayne (106), Joey Stultzman (120)
Outlook: After losing three state qualifiers to graduation, the Bears will be looking for new leadership to help guide their team in 2014-15. Coach Strickler knows that it will be tough to compete with the top teams in the NSC and Lake Division on a consistent basis, but he hopes that his squad shows steady improvement as the long season unfolds.
LibertyvilleCoach: Dale Eggert (28th season)
Last year's record: 21-4 overall, Class 3A Elite Eight team qualifier, regional champions, Lake Division champions, second in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Steve Polakowski (three-time state qualifier, Minnesota), Kayne MacCallum (three-time state qualifier, Eastern Michigan), Chris McDermand (two-time state qualifier, American University), Kevin Barbian (two-time state qualifier), Austin Koziol (two-time state qualifier), Tim Grote, Colton Bast, Nick Andrews, Tyler Brooks, David Truskowski
Top returning competitors: seniors Joey Gunther (160, sixth in Class 3A, NSC champ), Mark Dunsing (220, 2013 sectional qualifier), Sal Potts (152), Jordan McInerney (195), Dan Schilling (126);junior Will Johnson (138)
Key newcomers: senior Joe Felsl (285); juniors Henry Lee (170), Kyle Smith (182), Mike Beck (220/285); sophomores Alex Mitchell (106), Gabe Castillo (120), Jack Damenti (145); freshmen Will Bertaud (113), Tyler Padilla (132)
Outlook: After losing five multiple-time state qualifiers and 10 total key contributors to graduation, the Wildcats will be fielding their youngest varsity team in the past 30-plus years this season. Eggert (511-113-2 heading into 2014-15) joined a very elite club with his 500th career coaching victory last season and he is now the seventh winningest wrestling coach in IHSA history. Gunther in a highly ranked state-title contender ready to lead Libertyville into the long and grueling campaign. Dunsing was unable to compete in the post-season last year due to injury. But he returns with high hopes of contending for all-state honors after finishing just one match short of qualifying for the state meet as a sophomore.
MundeleinCoach: Vinny Jiuditta (third season)
Last year's record: seventh in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Ray Ceniceros, Sam Riportella, Matt Hutchison, Joey Laurie, Al Mota, Estaban Guzman, Jonathan Avila, Logan Strandemo, Brandon Olayo, Jose Jimenez
Top returning competitors: seniors Brae Cruz (152), Willy Hernandez (126), Hassan Thomas (145), Chris Adams (160), Alex Edmonds (182), Ricky Lopez (285); juniors Alec Riportella (120), Cesar Obispo (220), George Kostantinidis (170)
Key newcomers: senior Yobanni Antunez (138);junior Kamil Olechno (145), sophomores Tony Laurie (113), Zach McCraw (132), Alex Hendon (138); freshman Dane Durlacher (106)
Outlook: The Mustangs lost 11 seniors, including eight starters to graduation, but they still have a pretty solid combination of experienced and new wrestlers to remain very competitive in 2014-15. Riportella, Cruz, and Obispo should really help anchor the squad through the many ups and downs, and Jiuditta praised his coaching staff's hard work and experience in preparing the team for the upcoming grind that awaits them.
StevensonCoach: Shane Cook (ninth season)
Last year's record: third in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Ryan Mass, Seth Harris, Russell Thomashow, Corey Edidin, Ben Korol, J.J. Aquino
Top returning competitors: seniors Tyler Harrington (182, Class 3A state qualifier), Zach Horwitz (195), Juwon Anderson (170); juniors Evan Rodriguez (138), Alec Nolan (106); sophomores Eric Carter (120), Ben Ponto (132)
Key newcomers: seniors Nathan Reinsdorf (145), Quentin Coppess (160);junior Michael Kordek (170); sophomores Brandon Zisman (113), Dan Kim (152); freshman Muzi Sitshela (126)
Outlook: With a very strong nucleus of experienced wrestlers back, the Patriots should be even more competitive this winter despite suffering some pretty key losses to graduation. Harrington gives Stevenson a great building block to anchor the bottom of its lineup while numerous individuals should be able to step up into their larger roles without much difficulty this season. With Libertyville in a rebuilding situation this season, it will be interesting to see how the NSC Lake Division shakes down as the regular-season dual meets are contested.
WarrenCoach: Jim Ouimette (fifth season)
Last year's record: 14-7 overall, fourth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Emery Parker (second in Class 3A, University of Illinois), Sawyer McCaffery (University of Dubuque) , Eric Shurson, Israel Santiago, Juan Toledo
Top returning competitors: seniors Rahkeem Chapman (182), Quinn Nonnemacher (160), Charlie Nudelman (120), Jakob Martinez (132), Brandon Murphy (152), Bryan Nolan (220), Nick Villareal (195), Tyler Luth (152); juniors Zach Khoury (195), Chris Presberg (113), Sergio Sosa (285), Brandon Escamilla (182);sophomore Andrew Demos (170)
Key newcomers: sophomores Richard Howard (106), Brent Tunelius (120), Grant Zamin (132), Kendell Bell (138), Kody Anderson (138), Brandon Hergenreder (145), Jared Pompilus (182), Zavaan Gilbert (220), Ronnie Rightweiser (285), Teague McWard (132); freshmen J.T. Vandevere (106), Jake Quantrell (113), Jariston Clarke (145)
Outlook: The Blue Devils' team will be very young and inexperienced at the lower weights, but they are returning a lot of varsity experience from 152 pounds up. Warren did lose an elite wrestler in Parker to graduation, but it has a lot of potential to grow once some of the younger wrestlers earn their stripes at the varsity level. Parker is now the second recent Blue Devils' wrestler to compete at the University of Illinois as he joins former standout teammate Danny Hicks on the Fighting Illini's squad.
PRAIRIE DIVISIONAntiochCoach: Wilbur Borrero (11th season)
Last year's record: fifth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Briley Schultz (three-time state qualifier), Zac Keller, Kyle Nichols, Isaac Reyes, Matt Birkman
Top returning competitors: seniors Justin Miller (182), Bradley Green (126), Ken Strohman (160); juniors Nathan Dlugoposki (120), Jake Gross (113), James Tiernen (132); sophomores Pat Schoenfelder (145, Class 2A state qualifier), George Bessette (182, 195, Class 2A state qualifier)
Key newcomers: senior Tyler Espitia (170); juniors Jared Bolton (285), Dylan McBride (220), Jeremiah Reyes (138), Stephen Frandsen (152); sophomores Cody Matonik (106), Koby Gaul (195), Greg Kane (170), Jordan Poe (195)
Outlook: The Sequoits lost a real mainstay to their lineup in three-time state qualifier Schultz along with some other key senior leaders to graduation. Antioch did surprise a lot of people by sending two freshmen to the state meet last season. But unfortunately for the Sequoits, Bessette will be out of the lineup for an extended period of time after undergoing shoulder surgery in September. Coach Borrero is not about to hurry back one of his future cornerstones in Bessette, and he was unsure if Bessette would return in January, February, or not at all this season depending on how his rehabilitation from the injury progresses.
GrantCoach: Ryan Geist (16th season)
Last year's record: first in NSC, Prairie Division champions
Top graduated seniors: Nick Koch (two-time state qualifier, UW-Whitewater), Troy Parent (state qualifier), Steve Herrington, Brian Treacy, Andy Preidis, John Loris, Jeffery Braunsdorf
Top returning competitors: seniors Cristian Coronado (138, NSC champ), Gage Datlovsky (113, NSC champ), Noah Drabek (126, 132, Class 3A state qualifier), Mike Kouvelis (152, Class 3A state qualifier), Anthony Mostachio (195), Collin Fabry (220); juniors Christian Kanzler (120, Class 3A state qualifier, NSC champ), Alex Rodriguez (126, 132), Kobe Lear (145)
Key newcomers: seniors Jack Resnick (285), Alex Dague (160), Jake Beskow (170), Kenneth Sahs (182), Brad Miller (220); juniors Jordan Favella (113), Matt Koch (126), Cole Berg (145), Adam Nixon (126); sophomores Alex Ramberg (170), Justin Moore (195); freshman Spencer Welter (106)
Outlook: There could be some road blocks along the way, but the Bulldogs appear to be the favorites to win the Prairie Division title again as well the overall NSC championship with enough talent, experience, and depth to get the job done. Grant has the luxury of trotting out three state qualifiers for every meet and the senior leadership on the squad should be outstanding when the pressure-packed meets roll around later in the lengthy campaign. Geist surpassed the 300-career win plateau early last season and the Bulldogs should make a serious bid for an Elite Eight team tournament berth if all goes well in February.
LakesCoach: Mark Stave (third season)
Last year's record: Class 2A regional champions, 18-7 overall, 11th in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Kavan Mulloy (state qualifier), Dakota Larson, Josh Cramer
Top returning competitors: seniors Levi Smith (138), Sam Callahan (152), Zach Fuller (170), Alex Girona (195), Austin Summers (220); juniors Jared Smith (182), Max Hill (160); sophomores Cameron Larson (126), Xavian Girona (145), Dylan Terranova (119, 126)
Outlook: After posting their best record and winning their first regional crown in school history last winter, the Eagles are hoping to build off of that success heading into the 2014-15 season. While Lakes did lose state qualifier Mulloy to graduation, the Eagles still have eight returning sectional qualifiers on their squad as they hope to make a serious push for a berth to the Elite Eight team tournament in late February. With four 30-win wrestlers back from last year, former Wauconda wrestler Stave is optimistic that Lakes can send four to six individuals to the state tournament as Hill placed at the Fargo nationals this summer.
Round LakeCoach: Mike Hruska (sixth season)
Last year's record: 13th in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Juan Mena, Ryan McCord, Thomas Magallon, Chris Washington, Tomas Rangel, Ivan Trevino
Top returning competitors: seniors Dan Arteaga (132, 138), Joe Greenhill (182, 195), Nick Moore (152, 160), Danny Hernandez (138, 145), Ivan Guerrero (138, 145); juniors Juan Arteaga (106), Sergei Wawrzyniak (132, 138), Dimitri Vityk (145, 152)
Key newcomers: juniors Angel Landa (220), Dustin Horst (113), Nick Berry (126), Remay Avila (170);sophomore Jesse Enriquez (182); freshman Anthony Enriquez
Outlook: The Panthers have quite a bit of depth and experience back this season, now they hope to step up to the many tough challenges they will face in the Prairie Division and in the rugged Class 3A state tourney. Dan Arteaga and Greenhill both placed third in the NSC last year and Round Lake's senior class has a lot of big-meet experience to fall back on as they help guide their younger teammates into postseason competition.
Vernon HillsCoach: Jerry Miceli (15th season)
Last year's record: 10th in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Jordan Reich (three-time state qualifier, Princeton), Felipe Vasquez
Top returning competitors: seniors Joe Blitstein (285, two-time Class 2A state qualifier), Peter Vanderbloomer (145, Class 2A state qualifier), Colin Alexander (160), Patrick Pranica (170), Jake Stinson (182), Max Donato (220); juniors Max Rickard (132), Jeff Echeverria (138), Angel Tino (126)
Key newcomers: juniors Issam Khayr (126); sophomores Collin Turley (220), Dylan Geick (152); freshmen Jesse Goldufsky (106), Carlos Campos (106), Scott Harris (113), Cristian Vargas (120)
Outlook: The loss of elite individual Reich to graduation will leave a huge void in the Cougars' lineup this winter. But with two-time state qualifier Blitstein, and state qualifier Vanderbloomer still in the fold, Vernon Hills still has a solid nucleus to build around. Coach Miceli is very optimistic that both Blitstein and Vanderbloomer will reach state and hopefully make a bid for a top-six medal in Champaign-Urbana.
WaucondaCoach: Tom Nance (31st season)
Last year's record: eighth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Nate Magiera (four-time state qualifier, football at Augustana), Alex Schwickrath (state qualifier), Filberto Diaz (North Central College), Max Mattlaino, Ross Theel,
Top returning competitors: seniors Steve Ciolek (160, 170), Jake Conour (220), Tom Stolt (195); juniors Edgar Ruano (113), Eric Tabaka (138, 145), Yael Garcia (138), Allan Bastea (195), Mike Darnell (220, 285) ; sophomores Jose Munoz (126, 132, Class 2A state qualifier), Tyler Stankiewicz (170, 182), Justin Mitchell (106), Tyler Husko (132, 138)
Key newcomers: juniors Dahyron Valenzuela (138), Austin Foley (285); sophomores Byron Aguirre (120), Nick Schomer (145); freshmen Mickey Landick (145), Jared Dewyze (182)
Outlook: The Bulldogs will be very hard-pressed to replace the presence and leadership that four-time state qualifier and 2014 state champion Magiera brought to the table on a consistent basis. So coach Nance will hope to get gradual improvement from his young squad as they attempt to remain competitive in the Prairie Division with many inexperienced wrestlers stepping into much bigger roles this season.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLICCarmel CatholicCoach: Bob Kuykendall (seventh season)
Last year's record: 8-13 overall, 3-4 in ESCC
Top graduated seniors: Joe Salvi (state qualifier, American University), Brendan Doyle, Matt Braun, Jake Drennan
Top returning competitors: seniors Anthony Swindell (145, Class 2A state qualifier), Brodie Palm (120, 2013 Class 2A state qualifier), Connor Patrone (138); juniors Kenny Barber (126, Class 2A state qualifier), Nathaniel Morris (152, 2014 frosh-soph state champion), Mike Tortorice (113), Josiah Chapman (171); sophomores Bobby Pryhocki (132), Andy Smith (106)
Key newcomers: freshmen Anthony Schoer (106), Braden Foster (285)
Outlook: The Corsairs may struggle trying to fill an entire 14-weight class lineup at the varsity level. But they do have some great talent and experience returning with three current wrestlers gaining valuable experience in the state meet over the past two seasons. Kuykendall knows it will be tough to compete against the top ESCC squads due to a lack of team depth, but Carmel should have plenty of individual success to fall back on as the season unfolds.
FOX VALLEY / FOX DIVISIONGrayslake CentralCoach: Mark Stewart (first season)
Last year's record: 5-1, tied for first in Fox Division
Top graduated seniors: Kurt Radke (state qualifier), Jeff Morrow (state qualifier), Ben Celeslie, Zak Molitor, Matt Morrissey, Jake Sawusch
Top returning competitors: seniors Jonathan Makey (152, 160, two-time Class 2A state qualifier), Dave Thiel (170, 182), Shivam Chokshi (182, 195), Brad Lamberti (145, 152); juniors Larry Augustine (132), Collin Pogue (138), Joey Tarnowski (126), Kyle Anderson (113)
Key newcomers: juniors Trevor Novelo (285, transfer from Lake Zurich), Richard Novrouzov (195, 220), Ryan Mikes (120); sophomore Mikey Andrews (182, 195); freshman A.J. Connelly (106)
Outlook: The Rams have already proven that they have a lot of ability and talent in the early stages of the new season as former Grayslake wrestler and Central assistant coach Stewart takes over as head coach for Dan Catanzaro. Grayslake Central hopes to be in the mix for a possible regional crown against the likes of Lakes and possibly Carmel while Stewart believes that Makey has the potential to compete for a state championship in his third and final trip to the Assembly Hall.
Grayslake NorthCoach: Collin McKillip (first season)
Last year's record: 4-2, third in Fox Division
Top graduated seniors: Zac Juron, Colton Deatherage, Eric Brillion, Yazan Awaisi
Top returning competitors: seniors Cody Sawyer (195), Austin Cloe (160);junior Jake Wright (152); sophomore Joe Arroyo (106)
Key newcomers: seniors Manny Cabrera (132), Aaron Elsing (170), Victor Carranza (285); junior Blake Wilshire (113); sophomores Alex Moran (145), Justin Bock (220)
Outlook: While perennial power Crystal Lake Central will be the team to beat again in the FVC, the Knights hope to make some serious inroads in the conference this winter as McKillip takes over the reigns as head coach from Ryan West. Sawyer is already off to a great start this season with a third-place finish at the powerful Barrington tournament and he is aiming to become the first state place-winner in Grayslake North history at the 78th Annual IHSA state meet in February.