Cats turn back Pats
The early season showdown between host Libertyville and Stevenson lived up to its billing Friday night in North Suburban Conference wrestling action.
The host Wildcats fell behind 7-0 early, built a 22-10 lead late, and then they held off Stevenson for a 33-23 NSC Lake Division victory on senior night.
With the dual meet beginning at 160 pounds, Stevenson (6-4, 1-1) took a quick 4-0 lead when Bobby Vagun (9-1) recorded a 14-4 major decision.
Then Libertyville fell behind 7-0 after Stevenson's Paul Zuradzki posted a hard-fought 7-0 decision over Jon Isaac at 171.
No. 14-ranked Libertyville (5-1, 3-0) began its early comeback when Logan Miller moved up to 189 to capture a 12-2 major decision before teammate Jake Hogan posted a 3-1 decision over Stevenson's Stefan Melnyk at 215 to tie the score at 7-7.
Then Tom Nield (6-0) built a big lead at 285 before his opponent was disqualified for stalling late in the third period to give the Wildcats their first lead at 13-7.
Libertyville 103-pounder Matt Bystol added a pin for a 19-7 lead, but the Patriots bounced back at 112 behind a 6-2 decision by Michael Mireles. The Wildcats then took a 22-10 lead when 119-pounder Louis Mazzetta posted a 4-2 decision over Jordan Sherman.
"Libertyville is obviously one of the stronger teams in our conference and they have been for a long time, but our kids have worked extremely hard," said Stevenson coach Shane Cook. "In a few close matches we fell short and things did not go our way, but I have faith in these kids."
A pin in 5:33 by 125-pounder David Lamberti cut the Wildcats' lead to 22-16 before 130-pound teammate Nick Pagano added a 12-4 major decision to cut the gap to 22-20.
But that was as close as the Pats got. Libertyville's Everett Indart earned a 2-0 decision over Scott Feldman at 135 to boost the Wildcats' lead to 25-20. Senior Trey Ayala (10-1) moved up to 140 and posted a technical fall in 3:43 to put the Wildcats in control with a 30-20 lead with two matches remaining.
"Our guys wrestled hard and as a team everybody was supportive, so that gets you pumped up," said Ayala, who is ranked fifth in the state at 135. "I was definitely disappointed that I didn't get the fall, but it was just one that got away from me."
Stevenson's Nathan Millman won a 4-2 decision over Eric Klein to make the score 30-23 before Libertyville's Joey Callen defeated Taraf Martyniouk 4-1 at 152 to account for the final team score.
"It was a good battle and they (Stevenson) sure made a good meet out of it," said Libertyville coach Dale Eggert. "The 2-0 decision (by Indart) was huge, and even though the meet was decided, Callen beat a tough kid at 152."