Big weekend on area mats
There is plenty more on the wrestling buffet for fans hungry for high-level competition when the 2008-2009 season begins in earnest Friday at Barrington and Conant.
The 18th Moore-Prettyman Memorial at Barrington the C.O. Feutz Classic at Conant, long considered two of the premier tournaments, open what promises to be another exciting season of wrestling.
Thirty-four teams will descend on Barrington on Friday to begin action at 10 a.m. and go through the quarterfinals in the evening.
On Saturday, wrestling kicks off at 10 a.m. again, with tournament officials pointing toward an 11:30 a.m. start for semi-finals. Tournament champions will be crowned at 4 p.m.
Over at Conant, the first session begins at 11 a.m. Friday, with quarterfinals scheduled for 4 p.m. On Saturday, the semifinals go at 10 a.m., setting up a 4 p.m. championship round which includes first- through seventh-place matches.
Here's a quick look at both venues which are sure to be jam-packed all weekend:
At Barrington: St. Rita ended Neuqua Valley's three-year title run last year by 7 points.
Wrestlers to watch include Matt Boggess (Prospect), Lee Munster (Grant), Matt Holmes (Lakes), Matt Bystol (Libertyville), Luke Smith (Wheeling), Nick Proctor (Neuqua Valley), Bobby Barnheisel (Fenwick), Joe Schwartz (Highland Park), Chris Narel (Lincoln-Way East), AJ Smith (Marist) and Jahwon Akai (St. Rita).
Schwartz (112), Holmes (130), Boggess (135) and Narel (285) are returning champions.
At Conant: Providence Catholic edged Glenbard North by 3 points for last year's title. Providence and Oak Park-River Forest are 3A title contenders and Crystal Lake Central should challenge Montini in 2A.
Glenbard North seniors Tony Ramos and Jimmy Chase are defending state champions and Providence sophomore Ed Cooper took second last year.
Other wrestlers to watch include Thomas Davidson (Rolling Meadows), Joe Patricelli (Conant), Evan Hafner (Schaumburg), Adam Schammert (Leyden), Trevor Parlberg (Crystal Lake Central), Joey Kielbasa (Crystal Lake Central), Joe Gosinski (Glenbard North), Jacob Wojcik (Providence), Nick and Chris Dandanes, Ellis Coleman, Ben Brooks (Oak Park) and Clayton Kendall (DeLaSalle).