Leyden soars to own title; Conant runner-up
Jason Potter has done a remarkable job of turning around a struggling Leyden wrestling program since taking over the Eagles 5 years ago.
Saturday proved to be another step forward as the Eagles captured their second straight team championship at the 33rd Leyden Invite.
The Eagles grabbed a trio of first-place trophies, led by three-time champion Adam Schammert, and added four runner-up finishes to vault over second-place Conant 253 to 212.50.
New Trier outdistanced Stevenson 158-146 for third place.
Matt Holmes and Phil Cappitelli helped Lakes grab fifth place with 132 points.
"There were a couple of matches in the finals that we wish we could have come out ahead, but on the day, I would say it was a solid effort and one that we will use to help spark us for the stretch run that is just ahead of us," Potter said.
A superb semifinal round helped put the Eagles in terrific position, as they placed seven of eight competitors in the finals. Conant advanced four of 10.
Coupled with some good work in head-to-head bouts, the Eagles prevailed when all said and done.
"We needed to get a little help and to take care of business on our side of things, but it didn't work out like we would have hoped," said first-year Conant coach David Pena.
The Cougars snared 9 medals, including first places from senior Joe Patricelli (16-5 at 189 pounds) and sophomore Vince Gottardo (16-6 at 112).
"Vince did a good job in a tough weight class and was very tough when he needed to be," Pena said.
Holmes (26-3) avenged a stunning loss to Kevin Lewis (23-6) two weeks ago in the Berman Classic at Palatine defeating the Leyden junior 6-1 in the 135-pound final.
"Yes, that loss has been on my mind, and I was hoping I would meet (Lewis) again this weekend," Holmes said.
Stevenson featured three wrestlers at he top of the podium, including Nick Pagano (140) and Nathan Millman (145, 19-3) - who competed on adjacent mats in the final two matches of the day.
"Nick just got into our lineup after missing the entire first half of the season, and Nathan has improved so much over the past year and it has shown with his work on the mat and off as one of our captains," said Stevenson coach Shane Cook.
Patriots heavyweight Turron Washington recorded his second individual title this season, the other coming at Wheeling in mid-December.
Vernon Hills senior Edgar Cuegas (23-7, 130) gave the Cougars their lone title when he routed Hector Garcia of Leyden 11-4.
"Edgar looks so comfortable and confident now that he is at a weight that fits him and he belongs at," said Cougars coach Jerry Micelli, a Leyden alum.
Leyden freshman Jake McCabe (18-9, 103), joined Schammert and junior Dan Kiebler (15-1, 215) atop their respective divisions.
Kieber, a runner-up here a year ago, defeated Conant senior Jake Prestia with a technical fall at 5:45, while McCabe did the same to Vernon Hills freshman Dan Peterson at 3:17.