Big opening weekends for Wheeling, Conant

Wheeling's wrestling team swept all four of its matches in pool play to advance into the final of the annual Ted DeRousse Invitational at host Antioch High School on Saturday, where it fell to state power Deerfield 46-21.

Wildcats senior Yoni Medina won an individual title at 220 pounds, as did Zach Yfantis (285) in Friday's regular tournament action. Wheeling's Tristin Guaman (138) and Jalen Shaw (160) both earned second-place medals during tournament action.

The Wildcats' run into the team final was fueled by impressive double-digit wins over Indian Trail, Wauconda, Zion-Benton and Geneva.

at Conant: Reigning MSL champion Conant outscored 17 teams, including defending tournament champ Glenbard North, to win the 36th annual Chris Hruska Wrestling Classic on Saturday in Hoffman Estates.

The Cougars amassed 234.5 points over the two days of competition, 46 more than runner-up Glenbard North, with 2015 FVC champion, Jacobs finishing third with 149.5 points, just ahead of Metea Valley with 149 points.

Crystal Lake Central rounded out the top five with 146 overall points.

Senior Nick Catalano led the way for Conant with a championship at 152 pounds, defeating David Veitch (Metea Valley) with a fall at 1:12. Catalano was honored as the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.

The Cougars' Jason Giuliano earned top honors at 120, edging junior Beau Harrier of Jacobs 3-2 in his final. Conant's Danny Madonia, a state qualifier last season, fell to 2015 state champ Austin Gomez of Glenbard North 8-4 in the 132-pound final.