Wauconda sends five into sectional semifinals
The road to the historic 80th wrestling state meet began in earnest Friday night at the Class 2A Wauconda sectional.
The first day of the two-day competition set the stage for the real showdown Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m. with the first-round wrestlebacks.
Then at 11:30 a.m., the semifinals will be held along with the quarterfinal wrestlebacks. The first and third-place matches are scheduled for approximately 4:30 p.m. with the top four finishers in each weight class advancing to the state meet at the State Farm Center in Champaign next Thursday through Saturday.
After winning the Grayslake Central regional last weekend, host Wauconda brought 12 individuals into its sectional tournament Friday, with five of those wrestlers making it straight into the semifinal round.
The Bulldogs' qualifiers into the semifinals were eighth-ranked Justin Mitchell (39-6 at 120), Delon Kanari (9-1 at 126), sixth-ranked Tyler Husko (39-6 at 138), Devin Parrish (37-10 at 170), and seventh-ranked Tyler Stankiewicz (23-8 at 195).
"Tomorrow we're going to try to put as many guys through to the state tournament as we can," said first-year Wauconda coach Mike Buhr, whose team will face Chicago St. Patrick on Feb. 21 at the Crystal Lake Central team sectional. "And they've been wrestling really well the last couple of weeks."
Regional runner-up Antioch had four individuals reach the semifinals, including No. 1-ranked senior teammates Pat Schoenfelder (43-2 at 160), and George Bessette (25-1 at 220).
The Sequoits will also have 106-pounder Alex Barbarise and 285-pounder Xavier Sanchez (35-6) in the semifinals. If the rankings hold up through the state meet, Schoenfelder and Bessette would become the first state wrestling champions in Antioch history.
"They're tough kids, and we're hoping to see them in the finals so we'll see what happens," said Antioch coach Wilbur Borrero, who will have to shave his moustache if they win a state title. "It's exciting (No. 1 rankings), but it's on paper only, and until they actually get that title in their hand it doesn't mean as much."
Grayslake North also has two highly ranked seniors in the semifinals led by No. 2-ranked 113-pounder Joe Arroyo (39-1), and No. 2-ranked 160-pounder Alex Moran (40-7). Arroyo placed sixth in the state as a junior while three of Moran's losses this season were to Schoenfelder.
"They're both wrestling with a lot of confidence, and at this point of the season confidence goes a long way," said Grayslake North coach Collin McKillip. "He (Arroyo) is just putting up tons of points, it's his senior year, and he's got one goal to make it to the top of the podium."
Carmel Catholic also had a good showing with two of its eight sectional qualifiers reaching the semifinals, including freshman Christian Valadez (31-7 at 106), and 2016 state medalist Riley Palm (13-3 at 126).
Carmel 2016 state qualifier Bobby Pryhocki dropped a 12-7 decision to Richmond-Burton's Gavin Sutton (38-3) in the 145-pound quarterfinals, but he can still battle back Saturday to earn a trip downstate.
"We brought a lot of young guys, we only have one senior here tonight," said Carmel coach Bob Kuykendall. "We had three freshmen qualify and it's tough for them to face this level of intensity, but they're learning."
Fifth-ranked Grayslake Central sophomore Alex Cramer (32-1) pinned his opponent in just 58 seconds to reach the semifinals.
"He (Cramer) has looked good all season, and he just stays after it on his feet," said Grayslake Central coach Matt Joseph, who wrestled for Rick Mann at Hersey. "He's worked very hard to get to where he is at right now, and he's earned everything that he has gotten."
No. 3-ranked St. Viator senior James Valentino (34-0) remained undefeated with a pin in 2:54 in his quarterfinal bout. Valentino will wrestle at Brown University.
"He's going to be able to wrestle with anyone in the state," said St. Viator coach Jason Churak. "He put in all of the work in during the off-season, and he's got a good shot at winning the (state) title."
No. 6-ranked Lakes senior Xavian Girona (24-7 at 152) reached the semifinals for the Eagles with a 10-7 decision in the quarterfinals.
Vernon Hills teammates Jesse Goldufsky (41-9 at 113), and Collin Turley (43-7 at 220) also reached the semifinals.