Wrestling: Scouting Fox Valley area sectionals
Class 3A at BarringtonThe big picture: The Fox Valley Conference had a fine time last weekend at regionals, with Jacobs enjoying yet another memorable postseason event when it won its first regional title at Rockford East, one week after recording its first conference title in program history as well. The FVC champs sent nine wrestlers through from Rockford, while their conference rivals Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake South, Dundee-Crown and Huntley managed to get 14 out, which included an impressive eight champions.
"We're all very excited to be making our first appearance at the dual-team sectional, but now we have to quickly turn our attention to sectionals, where anything can and will happen over those two days," said Jacobs head coach Gary Conrad. "I like our chances because outside of our conference, we're still an unknown, but all of our guys here will have to keep it rolling, because confidence is the key at this time of the year.
Here's a closer look at some of the divisions which affect several from the FVC.
Weight watching: 106: Zach Spencer (Huntley, 34-8). Spencer arrives here with the wind in his sails following a championship performance at Rockford East which helped the Red Raiders' freshman to a well deserved first-round bye. "I like Zach's chances of getting out of his weight because of his past results with everyone in front of him in his bracket," says Huntley head coach BJ Bertelsman. Spencer has split bouts with likely second-round foe Juan Arteaga (Round Lake, 30-9) and beaten No. 9 Dylan Utterback (Deerfield, 38-5), a potential quarterfinal opponent. If all goes well, a potential rematch of the FVC final with Ian Mullen (34-3) of McHenry looms.
113: Josh Stenger (Huntley, 35-7), Beau Harrier (Jacobs, 29-7). These two sophomores have made the plays when it mattered, Stenger with his regional title to earn a first-round bye, and Harrier with a 4-2 win over his FVC rival a few weeks ago, proving he belongs in the top four conversation. "Josh is wrestling really well right now, and if he continues at this current level, he'll have his chance against (Britches) Siklula in the final," suggests Bertelman. Should this occur, it will be a do-over from the FVC final between No. 6 Sikula (McHenry, 31-1) and No. 8 Stenger which ended in favor (6-5) in favor of Sikula.
120: Michael Cullen (Cary-Grove, 33-1), Cody Ferencz (Jacobs, 33-6). The performance of Cullen last weekend at the Grant regional had to convince everyone in attendance, including the 120-pound field there and in Barrington that the Wisconsin-bound four-year star is ready to put an exclamation point on his brilliant career. The Trojans' senior breezed to his fourth straight title, and now appears ready to do the same this weekend, making it a race for second through fourth. "I feel like I am as ready as I've ever been for these final few weeks of the season, and I look forward to the competition ahead at Barrington," Cullen would say after climbing atop the podium last Saturday in Fox Lake.
132: Garrett Dziedzic (Crystal Lake South, 26-9), Ricky Vigil (Huntley, 28-3), Chris Dranka (Jacobs, 39-5). This is easily one of the deepest, most talented divisions here this weekend, with the aforementioned trio leading the way, alongside No. 3 Alec McKenna (New Trier, 37-1) and No. 9 Noah Drabek (Grant), who leads the entire group with 40 victories. "We're looking for a rematch with Dziedzic Saturday morning, and whoever doesn't come out of that with a win will face a heckuva tough road in wrestlebacks to get downstate," admits Bertelsman. The Gators' senior, ranked seventh in the state, has beaten Drabek, Dranka and Vigil. These three, along with McKenna are all 2014 state qualifiers, so the pressure won't bother any of them as they look to navigate their way through the bracket.
152: Brandon Meyer (Huntley, 37-5), Jacob Orth (Jacobs, 23-14), Bobby Jarosz (Prospect, 34-8), Mike Kouvelis (Grant, 35-8), DJ Penick (Highland Park, 32-2), Tulga Zuunbayan (Wheeling, 34-1). Yet another weight division with far too much individual talent for just four slots available to send to Champaign. Zuunbayan heads the class with back-to-back state appearances, while Kouvelis has one on his resume. Oddly enough, there was little history between any of the upper half of the bunch until Tanner Anthony (Harlem, 12-2) defeated Meyer in the regional final at Rockford East, at the same time Zuunbayan defeated Jarosz for the crown at Glenbrook South. It would be the second time this season the junior would do so.
195: Christian Brunner (Dundee-Crown, 37-1), Jack Golnick (Jacobs, 26-10). It's noteworthy that Brunner admitted the two strongest opponents he's faced this year has been Alex Jacobs (Fremd, 30-3) and Mark Miller (37-5) of Zion-Benton, both of whom are here this weekend, with the junior Jacobs on course to meet the No. 2 rated Brunner in the semifinals, should all go according to plan. Golnick has a chance to make a statement in his opener with the terrific senior from Stevenson Zach Horwitz (26-6) while the aforementioned Miller sits on the other side of the bracket of Brunner, hoping to see the D-C star for the second straight week in the finals.
220: Roland Gastfield (Crystal Lake South, 26-8), Carson Shoemaker (Jacobs, 23-15), Brett Peters (Dundee-Crown, 14-5), James Ford (Prospect, 34-2), Kailor Hecox (Harlem, 13-0), Mark Dunsing (Libertyville, 32-6). There are plenty of contenders to focus on, beginning with the Gators' senior Gastfield, whose breakout year has turned more than a few heads, including his head coach Ross Ryan. "Roland has kind of been under the radar, but his success comes from his tireless work ethic, and a style that is a little out of the box compared to others, which has worked very nicely for him all year long," says Ryan. Gastfield will open the tournament against Shawki Reyyan (Glenbrook South, 28-8) before meeting No. 7 Mark Dunsing (Libertyville, 32-6), who has really come into his own this winter.
285: Michael Gomez (Cary-Grove, 28-3), Dominick Swanson (Huntley, 20-6). Opponents of Gomez have offered little resistance during the past two weekends for the senior until Barrington's Alex Zintner put up the biggest fight of the postseason thus far during a hard-fought OT win last weekend in the regional final at Grant. Zintner (29-7) is on the other side of this well-balanced and challenging bracket, as is Huntley's Swanson in addition to Jake Resnick (Grant), whom the Red Raiders' junior opens with. "This is one tough weight class, but if Dominick can win his opener, he'll face Stevenson's Nick Grujanac (26-7) a guy who beat Swanson in the last five seconds of their match last month," says Bertelsman
Fun Finals: No. 2 Fernie Silva (Hononegah, 16-2) vs. No. 3 Eric Barone (Crystal Lake South, 36-1). This would be the second time in as many years these two top 145-pounders would meet here in the final with the Gators' star taking bout No. 1 in a thrilling 3-1 ultimate tiebreaker. Barone-Silva II has all the makings of another barnburner, with a top four seed in Champaign at stake.
Class 3A at Glenbard NorthThe big picture: Oak Park-River Forest and Glenbard North would huff and puff and blow the competition away at their respective regional sites leaving just a few precious spots available for area teams this weekend. The star-studded cast here on the Panthers' home floor should produce some memorable matches over the two days, thanks in part to the presence of the top two 3A teams in the state and all of the returning state champs and No. 1 rated wrestlers on the card.
South Elgin managed to advance three from its regional, missing out with several others, while Larkin sends two. Bartlett, Elgin and Streamwood each have one player still alive.
South Elgin coach Mark Cameron was heartbroken after watching five of his guys fall short in their sectional qualifying bout thus unable to follow the trio of Josh Menendez, Zach Crosby and Matt Cravens to Carol Stream.
"It was so disappointing to have our weekend end like it did with us not getting some or all of the others through but the hope is that it provides the inspiration and motivation for all of them to totally commit themselves to working and training more than ever during the offseason, so when that type of opportunity comes around next time, they will all be ready to take advantage, and continue to move on in the tournament," said Cameron.
arkin head coach Steve Hoyt knew it would be tough for his young and inexperienced Royals to qualify from the West Chicago regional, but in the end, it was sophomore Hugo Barraza (126) and junior heavyweight Aaron Marshall who broke free to stay alive yet another weekend.
"Both of those guys are in their first full year with the varsity, each in just their second year of wrestling," began Hoyt. "Aaron wrestled half the season at 220 with the JV, and Hugo, who was 27-3 on the freshman team a year ago, becoming a model of consistency in our room, along with Leo Martinez, both of whom have been great leaders, in and out of the room. This weekend will be tough for a lot of guys, especially when you have two teams ranked in the top 25 nationally. The number of spots available suddenly decreases."
Weight watching: 126: Sunny You (Streamwood, 17-11), Hugo Barraza (Larkin, 22-13). The junior You has come a long way in a year, after a 17-9 sophomore campaign. The Sabres' top man opens with Jamie Valdez (32-8) of Addison Trail and is on the opposite side of the top two 126-pounders, Gabe Townsell (OPRF, 28-6) and Conant junior Kyle Peisker (33-2). Barraza, who competed in the regionals last season during his rookie season, appears to be in a good shape with his opener with Michael Lobianco (Notre Dame, 19-15) but the road quickly becomes more dangerous afterword according to Hoyt. "I like Hugo's first-round match, but drawing into state qualifiers like Townsell is a tall task, so he'll have to really do his work on day two of the tournament."
138: Josh Menendez (South Elgin, 28-17). The Storm senior was third at the UEC tournament this season, after registering 19 wins a year ago, falling in his sectional qualifying match to end his season. Menendez opens with Ben Morton (Evanston, 33-3) and is one win away from facing No. 12 Savonne Bennette (OPRF, 26-8) in his quarterfinal.
170: Alex Montbriand (Bartlett, 21-14). The Hawks' junior has been flying under the radar for most of the season, but broke out when it really counted, winning his sectional qualifying match 11-6 to advance. One year ago, Montbriand lost to South Elgins' Zach Crosby in another sectional qualifying bout, one match after ending the season of Matt Gedritis from Elgin, who rebounded this year, and is here, along with Crosby at 182.
182: Zach Crosby (South Elgin, 30-12), Matt Gedritis (Elgin, 26-11). Crosby might be ready to emerge from this group to take the biggest step forward of his career following an impressive six-minute effort with Glenbard North star Colton Wegner (34-6). "Zach had a very good tournament, even in his 5-3 loss to Wegner in the final," says Cameron. "He will likely feed into No. 2 Joey Vogeney (Maine West) but I like that quarterfinal because of the two styles each has." Gedritis extended his career another week after recording a fall in his sectional qualifier bout. Last season, the Maroons' captain was sixth at the UEC tourney on his way to an 18-win year.
285: Matt Cravens (South Elgin, 25-17), Aaron Marshall (Larkin). These two big men find themselves in the always entertaining and highly unpredictable heavyweight division, where an upstart like Cravens or Marshall are just a quick fall from surprising the field and moving on. "For (Cravin) it's all about just coming out and wrestling his match. He has the ability to place if he can put it together for the entire weekend," offers Cameron. The senior lost in his regional final 3-2 in OT.
Class 2A at AntiochThe big picture: Hampshire sent a whopping seven to this sectional but the Whip-Purs still fell short in their bid to unseat perennial 2A power Crystal Lake Central last weekend as coach Terry Wilkinson's club finished second to the Tigers.
"That was our best ever individual result in our history," Wilkinson said. "We obviously would have liked to have gotten more, but the great thing is the guys who just missed out will be back next year, and that experience will go a long way in their development, as well as the team."
The Whips did manage to grab four individual titles, a program record, beginning with the one-two punch of Jake and Kyle Szlenk at 106 and 113, before seniors Anton Krocko and John Jimenez (26-6) finished things off with championship rings at 170 and 285, Jimenez doing so in thrilling style with a 3-1 OT triumph.
"I wasn't surprised at all with both Jake and Kyle, in fact I expected that from them with the way they have been wrestling all year," began the Whips' four-year star Krocko. "But I was really thrilled for our big man (Jimenez) who beat a tough group of heavyweights to earn his regional title.
"We had a good tournament, but did not have enough firepower in our lineup where (Central) did but I was really proud of the fact that we put six of our guys in the finals, with Wylie (Allen, 132, 29-8) and Jacob Oury (152, 21-8) there along with us four."
Freshman Christian Puente (120) will also make the trip to Antioch as well.
Krocko (35-2) who is closing in on the program record of victories in a season (40) will look for No. 38 after sitting out the first round with a bye, which he earned from his first regional title in his career.
"I'll watch a little of the match before mine (Andrew Smith vs. Jordan Drake) bout, but it won't affect the way I'll wrestle the winner because I know what I have to do in order to win that first match, and all the others to hopefully advance into the final and a match with No. 4 Juan Alfaro of Fenton," Krocko said.
Jake Szlenk (31-5) and the rest of the 106-pound field will have to contend with Real Woods (30-3) from Montini, and fortunately for the Whips' sophomore, the No. 1 rated freshman from Montini is on the other side of this 12-man bracket.
Brother Kyle sits on the same side as No. 5 Holden Heller (20-9,) also of Montini, and if it all plays out it will be No. 4 (Szlenk, 28-5) versus No. 5 in the semifinals.
A first-round victory from Allen pits the junior against ESCC champ, Kenny Barber of Carmel in the quarters and one win away from meeting No. 1 Dylan Duncan (Montini, 33-5), who has his eyes firmly focused on No. 2 Grant Sutton (Richmond-Burton, 37-0) in the most highly anticipated finals at this sectional.
Jimenez' regional title kept the Whips' heavyweight far away from No. 1 Michael Johnson (Montini, 10-0) but his side of this bracket includes No. 5 Joe Blitstein (Vernon Hills) and No. 7 Cole Cunningham of Wheaton St. Francis.
"Heavyweight is always a toss up, so John has as good a chance as anybody in that group, and we won't put anything past him this weekend," says Wilkinson.
Class 2A at SterlingThe big picture: 2A state power Washington feeds into this venue, meaning the four Burlington Central qualifiers will be chasing some of the best in the state in order to advance.
"If you get out of this sectional, then more than likely you'll be on the medal stand Saturday night in Champaign," figures BC head coach Vince Govea, who suggests this is the top sectional in the state this season. "The strength in 2A seems to be from most of the areas pulled into this sectional, and we're right in the thick of it. But that's OK for our guys, because they have worked very hard all throughout the season, and they will be as ready as you can be starting Friday afternoon."
Govea was thrilled to get his four safely out of the regional tournament, but disappointed that others were unable to advance, especially his two seniors, Kyle Blankenberg (195) and Matt Overstreet at 220.
"Just two great seniors, and two guys we just won't be able to replace," Govea said. "Their leadership and presence in and around the room is something that me and the staff have appreciated so much, and they have been key in the development of our young guys."
106: Austin Macias (37-1), No. 3 Trey Keeley (Washington), No. 10 JP Stedwell (Peoria Notre Dame), No. 11 Nevin Thielk (Sandwich). Thielk would like nothing more than a chance to avenge the pin he conceded to Macias in the final at Belvidere, while the junior Keeley, like his rival Macias, ranked No. 2, have each lost to Ian Mullen, the state-ranked senior from McHenry. "This is where we expected Austin to be right now. He pinned his way to the final, and he knows what he has to do to get downstate," says Govea.
138: Ray Rushing (23-18), No. 1 Alex Butler (Boylan), No. 2 Hunter Grau (Geneseo), No. 7 Kyle Ruettiger (Lincoln-Way West, No. 8 Ryder Punke (Washington). While it appears the final four in this elite class is locked in stone, the pressure to beat the other might just open the door for BC's Rushing to slide in through wrestlebacks to give the junior his chance for glory. "Ray had a real rough time in the closing weeks, losing something like his last 5-6 matches, but he's come alive when it counts, and gave the best guy in the state (Butler) a good battle in his regional final," said Govea. The Missouri-bound Butler was the state runner-up last season at 132.
152: Ray Conklin (28-15), No. 4 Vaughn Hobart (Pontiac), No. 7 Colin Groteau (LaSalle-Peru), No 8 Gabe Pleasants (Morton), Alex Harvey (Rochelle). Like his teammate at 138, Conklin is surrounded by plenty of talent all throughout this division. The junior Hobart is the lone returning state qualifier from a year ago, but that doesn't make the rest of this bunch any less dangerous. "Ray lost to (Harvey) earlier in the year, and again in the regional final, but his goal from the very beginning of camp was to get downstate, and his focus and drive to do so is right where it has to be," says his coach.
160: Christian Quiles (29-16). Six of the top ten ranked 160-pounders in the state are here, including defending state champion, Randy Meneweather (Washington, 36-4), who won it all last February at 152 pounds. "Q has his work cut out for him for sure, but he's a guy who was barely at .500 last season, and now heads into this sectional with almost 30 wins so I've got a lot of faith in him to succeed," said Govea.