Montini leads the way downstate at Antioch
It was a banner day for Montini's wrestling team in the Class 2A Antioch individual sectional Saturday.
The top-ranked Broncos once again proved that they are in a class of their own. They boasted seven champions and a total of 10 wrestlers who will be heading downstate next weekend for the 78th annual state meet.
Montini was led by two-time state champion Xavier Montalvo (37-3), who recorded 3 pins in rolling to the 182-pound championship.
The Broncos also got titles from defending state champions Dylan Duncan (38-5) at 132 and Vince Turk (38-2), who pinned Antioch's Pat Schoenfelder in 3:47 for the 145-pound crown.
Montini 106-pounder Real Woods, 126-pounder Jimmy Pawelski, 152-pounder Luke Fortuna and 285-pounder Michael Johnson also won championships. Johnson is ranked No. 1 in the nation in his weight class.
The Broncos got a second from Holden Heller at 113 along with thirds from Will Lewan at 120 and Caleb Fortuna at 138. The state meet starts Thursday at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
"We have to make a few adjustments if we want to have a good weekend next weekend," Montini coach Israel Martinez said. "(Montalvo, Duncan and Turk) are senior leaders, so they're excited. I think they have to come out aggressive and stay aggressive."
Antioch and Carmel Catholic each qualified four wrestlers for state. Grayslake North, Grayslake Central and Hampshire had three qualifiers each, while Vernon Hills, Lakes and Fenton had two apiece.
St. Viator sophomore James Valentino earned a trip downstate with a third-place finish at 285. The top four finishers in each weight class earned a berth to the state meet.
Carmel's stellar effort was led by 113-pound champ Mike Tortorice (34-4) and 160-pound champ Nathaniel Morris (30-2), who recently overcame knee surgery.
The Corsairs also got a third from Kenny Barber at 132 and fourth from Anthony Swindell at 145. They will both be making their second trips to state.
"We brought seven guys, everybody wrestled hard, and this is a tough sectional," said Carmel coach Bob Kuykendall. "It's been a long time since we've had multiple champions. I'm very proud of them."
Antioch's performance was led by runner-up Schoenfeld and 195-pound sophomore teammate George Bessette, who placed third at 195. Bessette and Schoenfeld will be making their second trips to the state meet along with first-time qualifiers Nathan Dlugopolski (second at 120) and Jake Gross (third at 113).
"Right now we're happy with getting four guys downstate, but we're more happy that all of our guys are returning next year," said Antioch coach Wilbur Borrero, whose team faces Crystal Lake Central in the Lakes team sectional Feb. 24. "We're going down there to wrestle the best we can, and hopefully we can bring a couple of medals back."
Grayslake Central got a second from three-time state qualifier Jon Makey at 152 and fourths from David Thiel at 182 and Richard Novrouzov at 220.
"I wanted to get four (to state), but I was really happy to get my 220-pounder out," Grayslake Central coach Mark Stewart said. "(Makey) has had a great year and both of his losses (before Saturday) are at 160. I believe he's a state medalist. The key for him is to stick to his game plan, and he'll be fine."
Grayslake North received fourths from Joe Arroyo (106), Jake Wright (152) and Cody Sawyer (195).
"Jake beat the kid from Fenton who was ranked in the top 10 in the semifinal wrestlebacks," Grayslake North coach Collin McKillip said. "(Arroyo and Sawyer) beat kids who they beat last week, so they didn't have any letdown there."
Hampshire 170-pound senior Anton Krocko reached state for the third straight year with a second at 170. The Whip-Purs also got a second from Jake Szlenk at 106 and fourth from Kyle Szlenk at 113. Krocko went to state at 182 the past two years before moving down to 170 this season.
"Anton is a great kid and we're going to miss him a lot next year," Hampshire coach Terry Wilkinson said. "He wants to be a state place-winner, and I think wrestling at this weight puts him in the best position."
Vernon Hills has a three-time qualifier in Joe Blitstein, who placed fourth at 285. Two-time qualifier Peter Vanderbloomer placed fourth at 138.
Lakes got a second from Max Hill at 160 and fourth from Jared Smith at 170. Fenton's Juan Alfaro (33-4) won the 170-pound title, while his teammate Antoine Bess placed fourth at 120.
Valentino pinned Blitstein in 1:25 to earn his third at 285.
"After taking first at regionals (Valentino) fought back to take third today, so he had a really good tournament," St. Viator coach Jason Churak said. "I think it's unbelievable. Last year he was one match away from making it, and now he will try to get a spot on that podium."