Northwest regional preview
at Mather (9 a.m. start)
• Team champion advances to Willowbrook dual-team sectional
• Top 3 from each weight class advance to Leyden sectional
Leyden enters as the favorite, but coach Jason Potter will be wary of CSL power Maine South and St. Patrick, who hope to slow the Eagles' quest for a second straight regional team title. "It was an up-and-down type of season for us, but we come into this regional finally (all) together and with something to prove," said Potter, who looks to Brian Andronic (145, 28-7), Adam Schammert (160, 29-6) and Dan Kiebler (215, 24-1) to set the pace.
The Maine South trio of top-rated Chris Brassell (285, 34-0), No. 6 Joe Brewster (30-2, 135) and Colin Baer (145, 30-3) are as good as advertised.
at Dundee-Crown (9 a.m. start)
• Team champion advances to Libertyville dual-team sectional
• Top 3 from each weight class advance to Barrington sectional
If you liked what you saw at the Mid-Suburban League tourney last weekend, then this regional site is the place to be. With most of the MSL heavyweights, along with the FVC runner-up and host Chargers on the menu, there could be plenty of rematch bouts and bracket upheaval when all is said and done on Saturday night. "If Hoffman Estates is still riding high from the momentum it built from winning the MSL tournament last weekend, they could repeat their success and win a regional title," says Wheeling coach Neal Weiner. The top three from the MSL (Rolling Meadows' Thomas Davidson, Wheeling's Dan Vargas and Conant's Joe Patricelli) are all here, as are the 160-pound top finishers Kyle Czarnecki (Buffalo Grove) and Jeff Koepke (Hersey). East Suburban Catholic champ Danny Sabatello (32-3) of St. Viator adds quality and depth at 112, as do FVC champs Miko Villanueva (103, 27-4) and Jeremy Lee (119, 30-4) and D-C captain Jack Lewis (32-4, 152) who would like to give retiring coach Al Zinke one last regional trophy to add in his 30-year title inventory.
at Elgin (10 a.m. start)
• Team champion advances to Willowbrook dual-team sectional
• Top three from each weight class advance to Leyden sectional
An already competitive venue with the likes of St. Charles East, Schaumburg and Lake Park couldn't be happy when it heard that perenial state power Glenbard North received its invitation to attend. The DVC champs arrive with the 1-2 punch of reigning state champs Tony Ramos (125, 38-2) and Jimmy Chase (135, 35-4) and plenty of others who should give Panthers yet another regional crown. Schaumburg's Evan Hafner (130, 21-2) starts his trek towards a second straight trip downstate, while Mike Desario (Lake Park, 119, 25-0) and St. Charles East' Daniel Mercadente (152, 32-3) and Brandon Rubino (112, 27-3) are all rated in the top 10 in state.
at Glenbrook South
• Team champion advances to Libertyville dual-team sectional
• Top three from each weight class advances to Barrington sectional
The team race is between Deerfield, Deerfield and Deerfield. In years past, Prospect would have been the team all would be chasing here, but back-to-back big graduation hits have made the Knights bystanders in the team reace this weekend. Knights three-time state qualifier and No. 1-ranked Matt Boggess (140, 33-0) is the star attraction at this venue. Deerfield's Josh Katz (125), Jeremy Fahler (171) and Andrew Rixon (189) are a combined 84-4, while Evanston senior Ethan James (160, 36-2) is a must see as well.
at McHenry
• Team champion advances to Libertyville dual-team sectional
• Top three from each weight class advance to Barrington sectional
The race for top honors figures to be a fiecely contested battle between Grant, Barrington and Lake Zurich, which could all be decided by how many contestants from Crystal Lake South, Prairie Ridge and Jacobs manage to throw a wrench or two into the works. This is known for sure: The big three at 135 (Kevin Fanta, Jason Montemayer, Dakota Wapotish) and 152 (Luke Miller, Tyler Becker, Anthony Pace) each have a chance at the top prize, while all will stop when No. 1-rated Lee Munster (35-0) of Grant steps onto the mat. A 103-pound final between the freshman duo of Adrian Gonzalez (Barrington, 30-5) and Nick Fontanetta (CLS) has potential too.
at York (9 a.m. start)
• Team champion advances to Willowbrook dual-team sectional
• Top three from each weight class advance to Leyden sectional
An amazing 22 wrestlers in this regional are state ranked, including a star-studded class at 152 featuring No. 3 Joe Foreman (Downers Grove North, 30-3) and Maine West's Danny Pack (30-3), who will try find his way free from the likes of Trevor Wenmouth (DGS), Julius Johnson (Proviso West) and David Lutz (Hinsdale Central) and a top three finish. Teammate Danny Lowe (30-5) will have his hands full at 145 and No. 9 Pat Hamill (York) while the Warriors Charlie Vana (171, 27-16) and Peter Giannos (103, 25-13) will have the same issues against top-flight opponents.
York and Hinsdale Central will vie for team trophy above all others.
- Mike Garofola