Plainfield C. takes the lead but has plenty of company
When the clock ticked down on the first day of the 19th annual Moore-Prettyman Wrestling Invitational at Barrington, defending team champion Plainfield Central had taken a slim lead over five other teams, including 2008 runner-up Neuqua Valley, North Suburban Conference powers Grant and Libertyville as well as the host Broncos.
Central has a 4-point advantage on Grant (103-96) with Neuqua Valley (95), Libertyville (941/2) Lyons (93) and Barrington (911/2) in hot pursuit when semifinal matches begin today at 11:30. The finals are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
"We could have wrestled (better) at a few of our weights today," said Grant coach Ryan Geist. "But with a week that begins with a dual with Libertyville, followed by an elite field (here), it's just a terrific week of wrestling for us and a great way to start the season."
Defending state champion Lee Munster was the headline act for the big crowd on hand, and the 189-pound senior didn't let down the audience with two superb matches to reach the semifinals today, where he will meet Alex Bolden of Zion-Benton.
Munster will be joined by mates Jason Montemayor (130), Jose Jimenez (125) and Chaz Alex (135). Jimenez, a junior and the No. 4 seed, takes on top seed Nick Harrison of Stillman Valley this morning.
"People don't know too much about Jose, but he has been a hard worker and it beginning to show in his results," said Geist.
Third-place state medalist Matt Bystol of Libertyville was flawless in his two matches at 125 and appears on course to advance into the final after a third-place finish a year ago if he gets by Highland Park senior Joe Schwartz.
"It was all about working on my offense and attacking skills in the off-season," said Bystol, who was this close to upsettting top seed and eventual state champ Edwin Cooper (Providence) at Champaign last February in the semifinals.
The Wildcats have four still alive in the championship round this morning, as do Neuqua Valley, Lyons, Barrington and Plainfield Central, which should make this first session of the day the most important of the tournament thus far.
An impressive quartet at 171 should be fun to watch, with plenty of bonus points out there in both semifinals which feature players from some of the top teams.
Top seed Andy Spangler (Neuqua Valley) will meet Ryan Mertz (Libertyville), while the bottom half of the brackets will see No. 2 seed Dan Santoro (Barrington) opposite MSL rival Joel Rangel of Wheeling.
Rangels' teammate Mike Smith has an early season giant to face in No. 2 seed and state-ranked Joey Uccardi (Plainfield Central) at 145 pounds, with the victor likely facing top seed Alex Cizek, who finished fourth here last November at 145 pounds.
"My goal this season is to win a conference, regional and sectional title before winning a state medal," said Cizek, who earned a fifth-place medal last season while recording 43 victories.
Teammates Matt Cavallaris (119) and Nick Proctor (160), both state qualifiers along with the aforementioned Spangler and Cizek, cruised into the semifinals.
Barrington, which is considered one of the favorites to win it all this season in the MSL, would show its strength during the day as its trio of state qualifiers Adrian Gonzalez (103), Luke Miller (152) and Dan Santoro (171) rolled into the semifinals along with junior Dakota Wapotish, who advanced at 140 and will face Matt Nora of Lyons.
"When I first arrived (here) three years ago, people would tell me to be patient and in time (our) program would be something to be proud of," said Broncos coach Al Strobl. "Now we all realize we still have a way to go, but we finally have a lot of depth and talent, and we are beginning to see the results from all of the hard work the kids and staff have put in."
Wheeling junior Luke Smith (140) moved into the semifinals with ease along as the third-place state medalist goes in search for a second consecutive title here.
Jacobs and Crystal Lake South of the Fox Valley Conference had moderate success on the day, particularly with Nick Fontanetta and Kean Loupee of (CLS) and Aaron Ryan of Jacobs, who each booked their respective place in championship round matches.
Ryan, who was a sectional qualifier last season, will be opposite junior Dominic Olivieri (Marist) at 112 pounds after a pair of impressive victories to help solidify his no. 2 seed in the group.
"We have a new coach this season (Brent Thomas) and his presence in (the) room is already making a big impression on all of us," said the senior.