Antioch, Mundelein and Stevenson excel downstate
CHAMPAIGN - The news was very good on many fronts when the first day of the high school wrestling state tournament came to a close.
And as usual, for some, the news was not nearly as good.
Antioch, Mundelein and Stevenson were big hits on the big stage of the State Farm Center on Thursday, sending nearly all of their athletes into the Friday quarterfinals.
On the flip side, it took just six minutes into the first session of the Class 3A tournament to see a big upset hit one of Lake County's standouts as No. 4-ranked Alex Mitchell (Libertyville, 20-1) fell to Luke Badger of Lake Park.
Later on, it was fourth-ranked Andrew Demos (Warren), previously undefeated in 40 matches, falling to No. 3 Matt Hennessey of Plainfield North (38-7). Just like that, Demos' hopes of wrestling for a title were gone.
"It was the end of the each period that did in Alex," said Libertyville coach Dale Eggert, who along with Mitchell will keep their fingers crossed that the Badger can find defeat No. 2 Matt Ramos (42-5) of Lockport, which would keep Mitchell's medal hopes alive.
Likewise for Demos, who will closely watch the Hennessey/Mason Kroening (Waubonsie Valley, 35-2) matchup Friday.
The dynamic pair of top-ranked wrestlers from Antioch, Patrick Schoenfelder (160, 45-2) and George Bessette (220, 32-0), left little doubt of their intent. Both advanced with quick pins.
"That's the idea," said Bessette. "I don't want to have my next opponent get to see anything that I can do. Plus I want to get back to the hotel, eat and get some sleep."
The Antioch duo will be joined in the quarterfinals by heavyweight Xavier Sanchez (37-6).
The Stevenson trio of Tommy Frezza (113, 38-3), Dylan Geick (160, 41-1) and Nikita Nepomnyashchiy (170, 20-1) all looked sharp in their one appearance - particularly Nepomnyashchiy, whose 21-7 major decision gives him a nice head start in advance of his quarterfinal with Peter Ferraro (34-11) from Montini Catholic.
Equally impressive was Grayslake North senior Joe Arroyo, whose fall at 2:51 improved his record to 42-1 and sent the No. 2-rated 113-pounder on step closer toward a place in the finals.
"It's now or never," said Arroyo, sixth here a year ago.
Dane Durlacher (106) and Logan Kvien (170) continue to impress for Mundelein by advancing with style.
Durlacher (40-5), in a high-profile weight, beat Glenbard West junior Catron Frazer (37-7) with a convincing 7-3 victory.
"It was so important to win that first one today, because if it was him, he likely would have lost to the No. 1 guy (Luke Odom, Edwardsville) and it would be one and done for me," said Durlacher.
Kvien (38-12) was on the ropes against Nicholas Dado, trailing early on, until drawing even with a late reversal before recording a resounding pin to stay in the front draw.
"I've done that roll two or three times before, and when I hit it I waited before pinning him," said Kvien, a sophomore.
Another up-and-coming star in the NSC, Libertyville freshman Danny Pucino (126, 38-4) got his first trip here off to flying start. A strong finish put away Tyler Futris of Conant via fall.
"I wasn't really nervous at the beginning, but once I began to score points, my confidence just got better and better," said Pucino, who next faces No. 5 Zach Villarreal of Lyons Township.
In in 2A, Carmel has two still alive: Christian Valadez (106, 34-8) and Riley Palm (126, 15-4).
Lakes (Xavian Girona, 152), Alex Moran (Grayslake North, 160, 41-8) and Wauconda heavyweight, Michael Turzynski (35-11) are still alive in the 2A tournament.
Warren's Grant Zamin (145, 38-4) escaped with a 5-4 victory and next gets No. 1 Will Lewan (37-2) from Montini Catholic.
Wrestleback quarterfinals will follow the quarterfinals, while semifinal action is scheduled to begin for all three classes at 7 p.m.