Wrestling: Scouting Fox Valley area regionals
Scouting Fox Valley area regionals
Class 3A at GrantWhen: Saturday (9 a.m. start, 2 p.m. finals)
Advancement: Top 3 individuals advance to Barrington sectional; team champion advances to yet to be determined dual-team sectional.
Guest list: Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake South, Dundee-Crown, Barrington, Grant, Lake Zurich, McHenry, Round Lake, Zion-Benton.
Outlook: After last weekend's results, it's clear Barrington, Grant and McHenry are the favorites in the team race to determine who moves on in the 3A dual-team state tournament. Both Barrington and Grant lost by the narrowest of margins at their respective conference tournaments, with the Broncos falling 3 points short of Conant, while Grant was even closer, losing out to Stevenson by just one-half of a point at the NSC. Despite a tourney-high three individual titles, McHenry was unable to garner enough points throughout the weight classes to overtake FVC champ Jacobs and runner-up Crystal Lake Central on its way to a third-place trophy.
Although likely outsiders in the team race, the trio of Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake South and Dundee-Crown should get their fair share of sectional qualifiers, including the obvious: C-G's Michael Cullen (120, 31-1) CL South's Garrett Dziedzic (132, 23-9) and Eric Barone (145, 33-1) and D-C's Christian Brunner (195, 35-1) each at the very top of their respective weight classes, not only in this area, but the state as well.
"This is an extremely difficult regional, with great wrestlers all over the weight classes, so it's going to be a real war just getting through, and into the Barrington sectional next week," cautions Cary-Grove head coach Ryan Ludwig.
Ludwig likes the chances of all three Cullen brothers: Michael, Sean (132) and John (138) as well as his heavyweight, Michael Gomez (26-2), who swept aside the competition at the FVC tourney, and appears ready to do so once again against a very talented bunch this weekend.
The Trojans' coach feels Dale Charlier (20-14) is quite capable of moving on at 126 pounds, where the likes of Adam Guitierrez (Dundee-Crown, 32-9), Robby Duh (McHenry, 29-6) and NSC champ Christian Kantzler (Grant, 26-10) and runner-up Josh Spiwak (Lake Zurich) all make up one highly competitive class.
FVC runner-up Jarrod Rapp (Dundee-Crown, 26-5) is one of several quality contenders at 182, which includes NSC and MSL runners-up, Joe Greenhill (Round Lake, 34-3), and Max Guhde (Barrington, 21-12) as well as FVC champ Cam Pait (12-0) unless the McHenry senior drops down to 170, as he's rumored to possible be considering.
Crystal Lake South senior, Roland Gastfield (24-7) is considered the favorite at 220.
Class 3A at Lake ParkWhen: Saturday (9 a.m., with finals at 3 p.m.)
Advancement: Top 3 individuals advance to Glenbard North sectional. Team champion advances to Niles West dual-team sectional.
Guest list: Streamwood, Conant, Elk Grove, Hoffman Estates, Lake Park, Maine South, Maine West, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg.
Outlook: Streamwood will be looking up to two-time MSL champion Conant, as well as its rival Schaumburg and Rolling Meadows, as well as Lake Park. Sabres' head coach Bill Peach will look to get his three medal winners from the recent UEC tournament to advance, beginning with third-place finisher Sunny Yu (126, 15-10) followed by Tae Raetz (170) and heavyweight Arin Klimek. The three-year veteran Yu came all the way back through the back draw to win four consecutive matches, including a 7-0 shutout to earn his third-place UEC trophy. Yu would just miss making his first sectional last season, falling in his sectional qualifying match to Marcus Williams of Conant. Raetz has been a pleasant surprise for the Sabres, turning a 2-8 season from 2014 around to a 12-win campaign thus far.
Class 3A at Rockford EastWhen: Saturday (8:30 a.m. with finals at 12:30 p.m.)
Advancement: Top 3 individuals advance to Barrington sectional. Team champion advances to a yet to be determined dual-team sectional.
Guest list: Jacobs, Huntley, DeKalb, Guilford, Harlem, Hononegah, Rockford Auburn, Rockford East, Rockford Jefferson.
Outlook: Jacobs showed plenty of staying power after taking an 8-point lead after the first day of the FVC tournament, before doubling its score to hold off perennial 2A power Crystal Lake Central and division rival McHenry to capture its first FVC crown, all done without a single individual title.
"We really wrestled well, and having the entire team place in the top six is something you don't see very often, and is a tribute to the entire team, which with that big effort helped make history for their high school," said a proud head coach, Gary Conrad.
With its confidence now brimming, can the Golden Eagles (18-2-0) do it again as they search for their first regional title against NIC-10 champ and reigning regional king Hononegah (17-9-0), the No. 7 rated 3A team in the state?
"At the regional tournament, seeding is everything, so we're hoping to be in some good spots in the brackets then get four-to-five guys in the finals, and more importantly, pickup bonus points wherever and whenever we can to beat a very good Hononegah team," offered Conrad.
While Hononegah is not the force its been of late due to graduation, and this season, injuries, the Indians' top-notch schedule, with trips to the Dvorak, and Clash (Minnesota) have readied this club for the postseason.
Two of the best in the state, Fernie Silva (145) and Tyle Demoss (170) lead this club, and will dominate their respective division to help fuel the Indians' hopes.
Conrad will lean heavily on the quartet of Beau Harrier (113, 27-6), Cody Ferencz (120, 31-6), Chris Dranka (132, 36-4) and Michael Ricks (170, 32-6) while his coaching counterpart, BJ Bertelsman at Huntley, has a foursome of his own who are primed for a big run in the next few weeks.
Senior Brandon Meyer (152, 36-4) was superb during his run to his first FVC title last weekend, while teammates Josh Stenger (113, 33-7) and Ricky Vigil (132, 26-4) are on course for a second consecutive sectional appearance. Freshman Zach Spencer (32-8) has enjoyed a breakout rookie year at 106, while the Red Raiders' big man, Dominic Swanson (18-5), is in top form following his second-place finish at the FVC tourney. The junior will keep an eye out for Rockford East senior Jacob Heavlin (24-4), recently crowned NIC-10 champ.
Class 3A at West ChicagoWhen: Saturday (9:30 a.m. with finals at 2:30 p.m.)
Advancement: Top 3 individuals advance to Glenbard North sectional. Team champion advances to Niles West dual-team sectional.
Guest list: Bartlett, Elgin, Larkin, South Elgin, Geneva, Glenbard North, St. Charles East, St. Charles North, West Chicago.
Outlook: Glenbard North just won its 17th consecutive DVC title, and the No. 2 rated team in the state isn't about to stop there.
"It's (Glenbard North) and everyone else after that," admits Larkin head coach Steve Hoyt, who last year watched Duke Bogocevic begin his thrilling ride to Champaign. "There aren't the same high profile matchups we saw here last year, but with that said, there are some great individual wrestlers, most from Glenbard North, or guys like Keone Derain (St. Charles East) but nobody here is going to give North a challenge this weekend."
Hoyt figures Hugo Barraza (126, 18-11), Leo Martinez (152, 22-11) and Zabdi Garcia (220) offer the best chances of all to get through, with Garcia possibly bumping up to 285 should a better opportunity be available for the Royals' big man.
South Elgin's Mark Cameron agrees with his UEC coaching compatriot when handicapping the field here.
"It will be a tough regional to place in this year," began Cameron. "There will be a lot of guys with very good records going home for good. But I like our chance to get a bunch through, but as always, we need to be our best in order for us to reach those goals."
The Storm placed 5 in the top four at the UEC tourney, including the top three of Mike Perez (132, 22-12), Josh Menendez (138, 24-15) and runner-up Zack Crosby at 182. Perez will have his eyes on Phil Partipilo (Glenbard North) as will Nathan Romero (Elgin, 21-7) while Josh Martinez (and Larkin's Leo Martinez) chase the aforementioned Derain (26-3) and Brock Perry (Geneva, 29-9).
The junior Crosby (26-11) has enjoyed a breakout season thus far, and will have a chance to make a name for himself this weekend, should he get past No. 12, Jimique Davis of Glenbard North. Elgin senior Matt Gedritis (18-8) will be in the hunt also for one of the top three spots in this division.
Class 2A at HampshireWhen: Saturday (9 a.m. with finals at 1 p.m.)
Advancement: Top 3 individuals advance to Antioch sectional. Team champion advances to Lakes dual-team sectional.
Guest list: Hampshire, Crystal Lake Central, Johnsburg, Marian Central Catholic, Prairie Ridge, Richmond-Burton, Wauconda, Woodstock, Woodstock North.
Outlook: FVC power Crystal Lake Central isn't the Tigers of old, but despite falling just short of yet another conference title last weekend, Justin Lehr's club still rates the edge to win it all on Saturday on the Whip-Purs' home floor, ahead of the tourney hosts, plus Marian Central Catholic.
"With (Central) having five finalists at the FVC tournament, they should be the favorite, but we'll be close to full strength this weekend, and we feel like we can give them a run for their money," says Hampshire coach Terry Wilkinson.
The Whips will be counting on the wonderful foursome of Jake Szlenk (106, 29-5), Kyle Szlenk (113), Anton Krocko (170) and John Jimenez (24-6), who was unable to go last weekend at the FVC tourney.
"(Heavyweight) will be interesting with our guy (Jimenez) likely the top seed, followed by Joe Verger (Crystal Lake Central) and Dereck Pearson of Prairie Ridge, who split bouts at the conference tourney," Wilkinson said.
Wilkinson has gotten plenty of mileage out of Casey (126, 22-10) and Wylie Allen (132, 27-7), Josh Bybee (138, 23-11), Max McGowan (145, 24-9) and Jake Oury (152, 19-7) so if this group can continue doing so on its home floor, perhaps the Whips can muster enough extra points along the way to surprise the field.
This venue is filled with brilliant individual talent all throughout the weight classes, with four: Travis Piotrowski (Prairie Ridge, 120), Grant Sutton (Richmond-Burton, 132), Nick Remke (Marian Central Catholic, 152) and Andrew Marsden (Crystal Lake Central, 195) all potential state champions in three weeks.
Class 2A at BelvidereWhen: Saturday (9 a.m. with finals at 2 p.m.)
Advancement: Top 3 individuals advance to Sterling sectional. Team champion advances to Geneseo dual-team sectional.
Guest list: Belvidere, Belvidere North, Boylan, Burlington Central, Kaneland, Marengo, Rochelle, Sandwich, Sycamore.
Outlook: Burlington Central head coach Vince Govea continued to keep his club fresh and ready for its important date in Belvidere with one last competition for the Rockets, which included quality clubs from Addison Trail and Glenbard East before preparations began for the postseason.
"With us no longer having a conference tournament in the Big Northern, we felt it was important to stay sharp by competing with very strong opponents, instead of just going out and getting easy victories," said Govea.
The Rockets have seen just about every club here, and despite the presence of Sycamore and Kaneland, Govea feels Central can make a push for a team trophy just as well.
"We're so much different from we were at the start, and a lot of the guys have come on lately thanks to a lot of hard work and commitment plus everyone is a year older after going through growing pains last season, and I feel that could pay off for a lot of the guys also," he said.
BC freshman Austin Macias (28-1) will be the one to beat at 106 pounds here, while Govea points to Ray Coklan (23-11) as one who is ready to make a statement at 152 pounds.