Can anyone get a grip on Grant?

The wrestling season holds a lot in store for Lake County teams and individuals.

There are some high expectations.

While Montini marches into the season as the top-ranked team in the state in Class AA, Grant once again appears to be the team to beat in Lake County.

The North Suburban Conference champion Bulldogs put together another great season last year with a trip to the Elite Eight, here they were defeated by eventual state runner-up Montini in the quarterfinals.

And while Grant lost three of its five state qualifiers and the Deligio triplets to graduation, the Bulldogs are poised to compete at the highest level again with sophomore standout Lee Munster coming off a state championship at 119 pounds.

Munster is expected to move up to the 135-to 140-ound weight class, nd he should have great support from senior teammate Izzy Montemayor, who was a state qualifier last year at 125.

Montemayor is expected to wrestle at 125 or 130 this year.

Other key wrestlers for the Bulldogs are Tyler Becker (145), Shelby Temple (130, 135), Joe Loris (160), Josh Deluca (171), and Dave Monroy (189, 215).

"We expect to improve each and every week and maximize our potential," said Grant coach Ryan Geist. "Hopefully, as a result we will be competitive in all of our dual meets and tournaments."

After placing third in the NSC Lake Division behind Warren and Lake Zurich, Libertyville wound up placing third in the NSC meet last winter.

The Wildcats return to the mat this season with state qualifier Trey Ayala expected to help lead their surge at 135 pounds.

Libertyville lost five key individuals to graduation, but it has sectional qualifiers Louis Mazzetta (112), Kyle Manolovic (125), Logan Miller (171), and Tom Nield (285) bringing some great leadership back for the Wildcats this winter.

"I think the Lake Division is pretty much up for grabs, but I don't think anyone can catch Grant in the conference tournament," said Libertyville coach Dale Eggert.

"We have a lot of seniors, and I think we'll be competitive, so hopefully they'll be ready to step up and be winners."

Like Grant, Warren is another NSC team that lost three state qualifiers to graduation. But the Blue Devils should still be very competitive again behind some experienced wrestlers.

Jake Dietmeyer should be one of the key wrestlers for Warren at 152 along with Bryce Howard at 160, Jim Baruffi at 130, T.J. Ruggiero at 125, Connor Drew at 125, and Robby Schultheis at 112.

"Grant and Libertyville are always the two teams you have to think of first in the conference," said Warren coach Mark Tiffany. "We just have to fill all of the weight classes, and staying healthy is going to be a key for us this year."

After placing second in the NSC Lake Division last year (fourth overall), Lake Zurich returns to action this year with an elite senior duo leading the way.

Senior Sam Wrobel placed fourth in the state for the Bears at 152, and he is expected to wrestle at 160. Senior Joe Carfagnini (112) was also a state qualifier for Lake Zurich in 2006-07 while teammates Andy Lynch (135), and Kevin Fanta (125) are seasoned veterans for the Bears.

"We're still expecting to have a really good season, but it's going to be tough to top last year," said Lake Zurich coach Dan Strickler. "Three guys from our football team are yet to join the team or practice, and I think a big key for us is going to be conditioning. We have to be in better shape than anybody else and we'll win a lot of matches in the third period."

Besides the top four teams in the NSC last year, there are many squads who expect to create some waves in the conference, beginning with Stevenson.

The Patriots may have taken 10th in the NSC in 2007, but they should be dramatically improved behind seniors Bobby Vagun (152) and Taras Martyniouk (145) as starters.

Wauconda (fifth in NSC) will really be hurt by the loss of two state qualifiers to graduation, but junior Scott Carlson (145, 152) is a two-time sectional qualifier for the Bulldogs.

Mundelein hopes to bounce back strong behind junior state qualifier Eduardo Dominguez at 112 and teammate Adam Avalos at 189.

After posting a 17-4 record a year ago, Round Lake returns with SIU-bound senior state qualifier Dillon Pousson (119) expected to lead the Panthers' surge.

Senior state qualifier Ray Bryant gives Round Lake even greater experience and depth to build around.

"This year we have pretty good senior leadership, but we have some young talent that will have to step up," said Round Lake coach John Jobst. "Grant, Libertyville, and Warren will be pretty tough, and our senior leaders are going to have to pave the way for our younger kids."

Antioch hopes to take a step up in class with a year of experience while Lakes hopes to climb up the NSC standings along with Vernon Hills.

Carmel came within 9 points of upsetting Marist for the East Suburban Catholic Conference championship last season, and the Corsairs are hoping to make another strong push for the crown this year.

Carmel will have to fill some big holes with the graduation of two state qualifiers, but the Corsairs still have two state qualifiers back in 171-pound senior Ryan Williams and teammate Ryan Unrein (145, 152).

"Everybody is picking Marist to win it again, but St. Patrick and us are going to give them a run for it," said Carmel coach Joe Scordino, whose team had seven sectional qualifiers last season.

"We had some big losses to graduation that we will be missing, but I really do feel we have people who can fill in."

Nick Lavelle (160) is one of many key wrestlers returning for the Corsairs along with teammates Steve Lester (215), Matt Oliva (103, 112), J.P. Hough (119), Shane Siefert (119, 125), Will Robinson (130, 135), Rob Sheehan (160, 171), and Sean Ray (285).

Perennial power Dundee-Crown is expected to be a force to be reckoned with again in the Fox Valley Conference, but Grayslake North and Grayslake Central hope to make some inroads against the powerful Chargers.

The Rams have the luxury of senior state qualifier Ryan Lund (135) to fall back on in 2008, and they should show great improvement despite a potential lack of depth on their roster.

Grayslake North has some good numbers out for its second varsity wrestling season, but the Knights will have to overcome inexperience and youth if they are to thrive under coach Steve Wood's guidance.

On the state level, Montini is expected to be pushed for the Class AA championship by St. Rita, Glenbard North, Sandburg, and Providence.

The individual state meet will be Feb. 15-16 at the Assembly Hall in Champaign, followed by the Elite Eight team tournament Feb. 23 at Northern Illinois University.