Mega-successful outcome for Notre Dame
Should Notre Dame win the East Suburban Catholic Conference wrestling championship next weekend, the Dons can likely point to a clean sweep of the competition at the league's Mega-Duals on Monday afternoon in Arlington Heights as the start of something big.
"This is just today, but it's still nice to come in today and wrestle well enough to get three wins," said Augie Genovesi, who will step down following the season after 35 years as Notre Dames coach. "But next weekend and the week after at regionals is really what it's all about."
"It would be great to send coach Genovesi off with a conference, then regional championship, and if we stay healthy there's no reason why we can't," said Notre Dame senior Josh Barzowski, the No. 7 rated 160-pounder in the state, who will wrestle next season at St. Cloud State.
Host St. Viator went winless on the day, while rival Carmel, which hosts the conference tourney next Friday in Mundelein, went 1-4.
"I'm not sure how close we'll be to 100 percent in order to put together a full lineup, but if we're not, then the hope is we will be for regionals," said Carmel coach Bob Kuykendall.
Jason Churak had a similar perspective on things, as his St. Viator team opened the day with a few holes in his lineup.
"We've had all sorts of things - injuries, illness, the usual stuff - so we'll get ourselves together for senior night this Thursday (against St. Rita), then get ready for conference the next day and see how it goes," Churak said.
Churak figures James (Tony) Valentino, one of the best 2A heavyweights in the state should challenge for an ESCC title. And the heart of the Lions lineup - Joe Debartolo, Mike Dziadzic and Jake Wolf - all have legit chances of bringing home a top-three medal.
"I had my ups and downs in my first year with the varsity last year - most downs," said Wolf, who battled knee problems and even broken fingers last season. "But the experience has really paid off, and I think it might be the biggest reason for me being 19-7 this season."
Marian Catholic, which along with Notre Dame was considered to be a team capable of ending the long-time league title hold of Marist, arrived from Chicago Heights minus several of their state ranked stars, including top-rated Kordell Norfleet (182) and Travis Ford-Melton (120), both of whom won 2A individual state championships last season.
The Spartans, who were moved up to 3A this winter, are the highest rated team in the ESCC at No. 15, according to recent polls provided by IllinoisMatmen.com.