It's a complete effort as Lake Zurich sweeps at Wauconda
It was a great night from start to finish as the Lake Zurich wrestling team went 3-0 Friday night at the Wauconda triple-dual meet.
The Bears (10-7) started off their evening by posting a 45-25 nonconference victory over Larkin (9-4) before they went on to beat the host Bulldogs (5-11) by a score of 49-15 in the second round.
The final round proved to be the big showdown of the night as Lake Zurich fell behind Dundee-Crown 15-0 early on before posting a 37-27 victory over the Chargers (10-9) to close out the competition.
Dundee-Crown went 2-1 on the night. The Chargers started off with a 47-20 win over Wauconda before powering past the Royals 57-23 in round two.
Larkin wound up with the most exciting win of the night as the Royals toppled the Bulldogs 33-32 based on criteria. With the score tied at 32-32 at the conclusion of the 14 matches with both teams winning seven bouts, Larkin got the tie-breaking extra point based on its 4 pins to only 3 pins for Wauconda.
Lake Zurich's squad was led by three-match winners Josh Goldberg at 182, and Nick DiMaggio at 152.
A pin by Dundee-Crown state-ranked heavyweight Isiah Ziegler (24-2) cut Lake Zurich's lead to 27-21 with four matches remaining. But decisions by Bears teammates Vinny Pasquesi (106), Justin Wollard (113), and Ian McGee (120) finally put the pesky Chargers away.
“This is probably the best we've wrestled all season, and we had a full lineup tonight,” said Lake Zurich coach Jake Jobst. “We're winning some tough, close matches. Dundee-Crown is definitely a tough team, and we will be at their regional.”
Besides Ziegler's three wins, D-C also got three wins each from 126-pounder Gabriel Scales (20-7), 132-pounder Joahan Cruz (3-0), 138-pounder Brandon Rico (20-7), and 145-pounder Colin Mays, who captured a thrilling 6-4 overtime victory against Lake Zurich's George Gritsonis. Erick Salinas was 2-0 for the Chargers at 195.
“It was a good night overall, but we left a lot of points on the mat against Lake Zurich,” said Dundee-Crown coach Tim Hayes. “I'm happy with my seniors, and Isaac Mayer probably had his best meet on varsity at 106.”
Larkin's troops were led by 220-pound standout Jesus Facio (12-1) with three wins while 182-pounder Diego Facio (11-2), 113-pounder Justin Valle, 160-pounder Deujuan Akins, and 285-pounder Mike Villanueva all went 2-1 for the Royals.
“The other schools were really tough, and coming off second in the state last year to beat Wauconda was a good win for us,” said Larkin coach Mike Hodge. “I'm very proud of Jesus Facio that he did everything I asked him to, and he was very sound tonight.”
The Bulldogs were without the services of 2017 state qualifier Delon Kanari (132) due to illness, but they got three wins each from Evan Husko (14-3 at 120), and Mickey Landvick at 170.
“Obviously we're giving up 12 points on forfeits and we have to be able to make up those 12 points,” said Wauconda coach Mike Buhr. “We just have a lot of work to do before the end of the year.”
There were some nervous moments during the Larkin-Dundee-Crown meet as Chargers' sophomore Enrique Aramburo was injured in his 160-pound match. After being kneed twice in the head, Aramburo was taken off on a stretcher for precautionary measures with a potential neck injury or concussion.