Cook County wrestling preview

Mid-Suburban East

Buffalo Grove

Coach: Dave Durlacher (fourth year)

Last season: 14-7 (4-3-0)

Graduation losses: Kyle Czarnecki (state champion, two-time state qualifier, two-time MSL, regional, sectional champ, 41wins, Boston University, wrestling), Jason Sandoval (MSL champ, sectional qualifier, 29 wins), Kevin Alvarez (28 wins), James Blackmon (17 wins), Anthony Ryle (Harper).

Key Returnees: Seniors Jamey Zabrin (state qualifier, regional champ, 38 wins, 189), Ben Lake (130), Leo Haro (215), Ryan Sparks (145); juniors Eugene Blackmon (112, 26 wins); sophomores Jordan Rathje (125, 24 wins), Matt Zabrin (160, 17 wins).

New Faces to Watch: Seniors Nate Pereira (125), Joey Roberts (125), Harrison Menis (285).

Outlook: Bison will miss the individual star talent and aura in which state champ Czarnecki brought into the room during his four-year ride, but fortunately, his workout partner Zabrin returns this season to give the club yet another top-flight player who is capable of giving coach Durlacher 40 or more victories and someone for others to follow. "We're very young, and it will take some time for us to get going," admits Durlacher, who penciled in 8 freshmen and sophomore in the season opener, "however, the great thing about a young group is that they are eager to learn and willing to put the extra time in to improve."

Elk Grove

Coach: Craig Johnson (second year)

Last Season: 2-17 (0-9-0)

Graduation losses: Mike Alcazar (21 wins), Rich Szarflarski (16 wins) Joe Wimmer (14 wins), Rich Piecuch, Scott Puppilo.

Key Returnees: Seniors Brett Lesniak (160, 11 wins), Dan Clausen (189, 8 wins); juniors Matt Bending (152, 8 wins), Tony Szplit (140).

New Faces to Watch: Seniors Matt Evans (119), Keith Fernandez (285); juniors Brennan Regnier (145), Kyle Haubner (215); sophomores Bart Broda (103), Alex Mertes (112), Jeo Hauser (125), Vince Grecco (130), Steve Medina (135), Tom Jansen (145), Greg Johnson (171).

Outlook: For the first time in several years, Grens will field a full lineup as program numbers and commitment are on the rise, much to the delight of head coach Johnson. "We will (still) have a young group of starters, many of them sophomores, but after a very successful freshman year, it appears they are ready for the challenge ahead as varsity wrestlers," he said. Johnson likes what he sees from his trio of captains (Lesniak, Clausen, Bending) and believes their leadership is just what his youngsters need. Greco was a freshman MSL champion.

Hersey

Coach: Jim Wormsley (seventh year)

Last Season: 20-11 (3-4-0)

Graduation losses: Rory Petersen (sectional qualifier, 30 wins), Sergio Delgado (20 wins)

Key Returnees: Seniors Demetrios Mitchell (sixth place state medal, 140, 145, 49 wins), Sean Bonner (152, 29 wins), Kevin Snodgrass (125, 27 wins), Joe Castellanos (215, 20 wins), Mike Dragovich (285, 12 wins); juniors Jeff Koepke (state qualifier, 160, 39 wins), Josh Simmons (125, 130, 29 wins), Freddy Scales (189, 17 wins), Jason Olson (171), Zach Whitehead (135, 140), Richard Kim (130, 135); sophomores Stephfon Scales (sectional qualifer, 112, 37 wins), Conrad Bugay (119, 16 wins).

New Faces to Watch: Junior Jose Serna (103); freshmen Hunter Rollins (135, 140).

Outlook: Many pick the Huskies to be the team to beat this season on the strength of its terrific 1-2 punch of Mitchell-Koepke alone, however look for others to step forward from a 20-win club and nearly 280 victories combined that returns. "This could be our best team (we've) had since I arrived here," admits Wormsley, "but the conference is better than last year, and there's a lot of wrestling ahead of us before everything is decided." Huskies will have a distinct advantage from the middle of its lineup on down, and if Wormsley, the former Dundee-Crown state heavyweight medalist can work some magic at the upper weights, look out.

Prospect

Coach: Tom Whalen (firstyear)

Last Season: 6-8 (1-4-0).

Graduation losses: Matt Boggess (2009 state champion, two-time state medalist, MSL, regional, sectional champion, 42 wins, Harper College), George Wrobell (regional champ, 22 wins).

Key Returnees: Seniors Tim Schweigel (sectional qualifier, 130, 17 wins), Leo Clark (13 wins), Chris Kozlowski (189, 12 wins); junior Brandon Thompson (152, 17 wins).

New Faces to Watch: Senior Joe Maigler (160), John Eliopoulos (171); juniors Joe Randazzo (145), Emilio Alvarez (135); sophomore Yousef Abu-Bakr (125), Nick Cartwright (119); freshman Josh Boggess (112).

Outlook: Just two years removed from being among the elite in the MSL, graduation has dealt the Knights a cruel blow, including the loss of 140-pound state champion (Boggess) who with his determination, energy and will to succeed would bring the best out of his teammates when needed. Former Elk Grove head coach Whalen takes over for the legendary Gary McMorrow, who steps aside after 26 years, but returns as an assistant for the Knights underclass program. "It's like we're starting over, because we have so many new kids in the room, but if they can survive the hard work and extra effort we're expecting from them, we should see some solid results by midseason," offered Whalen.

Rolling Meadows

Coach: Dave Froehlich (31st year).

Last Season: 20-5 (3-2-0).

Graduation losses: Thomas Davidson (state qualifier, MSL champ, 41 wins, NIU), Tim Herff (sectional qualifier, 20 wins, Univ. of North Florida), Andrew Smaida (sectional qualifier, 26 wins, Harper), Moses Kim (sectional qualifier, 30 wins, University of Chicago), Steve Orchell (sectional qualifier, 22 wins, Harper), Mike Medsker (18 wins), Alex Bueno (UIC).

Key returnees: Seniors Jared Diaz (189), Jordan Farnum (285, 13 wins), Shawn Meyer (135, 9 wins), Jirah Louie (152); juniors Kory Jauch (125, 22 wins), Chris Sanchez (103, 22 wins), Nick Calandra (130, 11 wins), Marc Herff (145, 12 wins), Dennis Caravello (140, 9 wins), Zurabi Khournali (119, 9 wins); sophomore Joey Caprio (152, 24 wins).

New Faces to Watch: Senior Erick Louis-Charles (215), Frank Adame (119, transfer from Streamwood, 26 wins); sophomore Aaron Kohlberg (103).

Outlook: No program gets more out of its roster year-after-year than Mustangs, who traditionally start slow, but finish fast, as witnessed by school record 20 wins for long-time coach and former state medalist Froehlich, who is the dean of MSL coaches. "We always have a hard-working group that (realize) that it's a long season and you have to built in order to succeed at the end," says Froehlich, who may have his biggest challenge of late after losing 5 sectional qualifiers, including four-year star Davidson, who was the pulse of the team during his tenure.

Wheeling

Coach: Neal Weiner (24th year)

Last Season: 21-4 (4-1), MSL and Dundee-Crown regional champions, team state qualifier, lost to Glenbard North (32-28) in dual-team quarter-finals.

Graduation losses: Danny Vargas (two-time state qualifier, fourth-place state medal, regional, sectional champ, 43 wins, Elmhurst College), David Aranda (2-time state qualifier, 2-time all-area soccer, regional champ, 35 wins, Harper), Alex Mariscal (sectional qualifier, 18 wins, UIC), Joe Cacchione (sectional qualifier, 22 wins, Lewis University), Enkhaatar Erdene-Ochir (sectional qualifier, 33 wins), Leo Hicks (sectional qualifier, 27 wins, Harper), Wade Anderson (Harper), Jeremy Ou (NIU), Leo Castillo (NIU).

Key Returnees: Seniors Tim Schalz (sectional qualifier, 189, 215, 17 wins), Joel Rangel (sectional qualifier, 160, 21 wins), Robert Desio (sectional qualifier, 145, 24 wins), Dan Zaccarias (130); juniors Luke Smith (two-time state qualifier, 3rd place state medal, MSL, regional, sectional champ, 135, 140, 37 wins), Mike Smith (state qualifier, regional champ, 140, 145, 38 wins), Chris Johnson (sectional qualifier, 189, 215, 32 wins), Nick Samata (119, 16 wins), Rafel Zaccarias (130, 7 wins); sophomores Ed Scanlon (160), Scott Steffens (112,119).

New Faces to Watch: Seniors Ernesto Ramos (152), Alex Hubert (152), Israel Gonzalez (125), Jack Hurley (160), Mark Katric (130), Jose Sotelo (130); juniors Arturo Escobedo (215), Tim Sennet (135), Tom Chrusiel (160); sophomores Brandon Jagielsky (189), Sam Rosengarden (152,160), Alex Martell (130,135), Joe Zimmerman (103).

Outlook: When your line-up begins with perhaps the best in the state at his weight in Luke Smith, and follow with six returning sectional qualifiers, it's hard to discount the Wildcats' chances despite the loss of stars Vargas and Aranda to the collegiate game. "Barrington, Hersey and Schaumburg are easily the 3 favorites in the MSL this season, but with a very good core of kids coming back, we could be (there) when the postseason arrives," said Weiner. Wildcats upset of state power (Libertyville) gave them their first dual state team appearance ever, after winning its seventh straight regional and eighth in last nine years. Look for break-out year from Mike Smith after finally reaching state tournament, as well as big men Schalz and Johnson, whose late surge sealed regional title.

Mid-Suburban West

Barrington

Coach: Al Strobl (third year). Last Year: 16-5 (4-1, T1st, MSL West), 3rd MSL Tournament.

Graduation losses: Marcus Kieper (U.S. Marine Corps), Erik Zentner (Illinois), Beau Conrad (17 wins, Harper).

Key Returnees: Seniors Dan Santoro (state qualifier, 171, 189, 39 wins, MSL champ), Luke Miller (state qualifier, MSL, sectional champ, 152, 160, 39 wins), Ryan McQueen (160, 17 wins), Kalvin Argueta (sectional qualifier, 189, 215, 14 wins), Troy Morrison (215, 15 wins); junior Dakota Wapotish (sectional qualifier, MSL champ, 140, 35 wins), Connor Mannina (sectional qualifier, 125, 17 wins), Joe Adreani (135, 18 wins); sophomore Adrian Gonzalez (state qualifier, regional champ, 103, 112, 36 wins).

Outlook: Broncos' came to the forefront much quicker than expected when they tied Schaumburg for MSL West title, and this season, oh-so young roster is back to suggest bigger and better results when February rolls around. "The thing that we finally have (here) is terrific depth, which makes for hard-fought wrestle-offs during the week, which helps push everyone else to a higher level of work and training as well," says Strobl. "If we can learn how to win the matches that really count, then we will turn the corner to become an upper level wrestling team this season." Broncos' boast a trio of state qualifiers (Miller, Santoro, Gonzalez) then add (Wapotish) to give the club a fantastic four which few have.

Conant

Coach: Chad Hay (first year)

Last Year: 7-10 (5-2-0)

Graduation losses: Joe Patricelli (state qualifier, regional, sectional champ, 30 wins, Harper College) Jake Prestia (sectional qualifier, 31 wins), Tyler King (sectional qualifier, 22 wins), Nate Johnson (24 wins), Nick Bonnett (12 wins), Sean Smith (14 wins), David Kim.

Key returnees: Seniors Nick Shay (145, 6 wins), Josh Yoo (140); junior Vince Gottardo (125, state qualifer, 29 wins); sophomore Travis Sylvester (135, 9 wins).

New Faces to Watch: Sophomore Cristian Cuevas (112); freshmen Ben Clifford (103), Mitch Alexander (119), Eric Lovill.

Outlook: Strength was easily at the upper weights last winter with Patricelli and Prestia the lead story as each performed at high level, especially the three-year star Patricelli, the supreme leader and hard worker who finally earned a well-deserved trip downstate. This season, at least on paper, particularly in the early stages, it will be bottom of the line-up in which former assistant Hay will look to - especially returning state qualifier Gottardo at 125. "The best thing about this team (right) now is its conditioning and attitude, the rest will come later on in the season," says Hay.

Fremd

Coach: Ralph Cortez (17th year)

Last Year: 14-6 (3-2-0)

Graduation losses: Jimmy Norris (state qualifier, MSL, regional, sectional champ, 41 wins, UW-Whitewater, playing football), Mike Dallas (24 wins, Marquette), Willie Tham (22 wins, Illinois), Brett Opitz (22 wins, Ohio State), Richard Stanton (11 wins, UIC), Jamie Hoover (11 wins), Andrew Richards (12 wins), Ben Perna (Missouri)

Key Returnees: Senior Travis LaSchaiva (2008 sectional qualifier, injured 2009, 145); junior Vince Lorig (145, 13 wins); sophomores Tim Divisio (125, 11 wins), Ronny Hauser (135, 15 wins).

New Faces to Watch: Seniors Blake Thompson (152), David Allison (152), George Balkas (189), Adam Piasecki (285); juniors Chris Suchomski (160), Jeff Nannini (119), Brandon Klen (135), Ryan Dincher (135), Dan Muehfeldt (215); sophomore Dan Marabelli (112).

Outlook: Norris, one of the best and most affable big men in the state last season continued the long tradition of Vikings success in the heavyweight division, however the time may be right for someone in the middle of the line-up to step forward as a new leader. As a 112-pound sophomore two years ago (LaSchaiva) would fall in the closing moments in his state-qualifying match with Joe Schwarz (Highland Park), then miss most of last season due to injury, yet appears ready to be the top man this winter for an inexperienced Vikings club.

Hoffman Estates

Coach: Tony Ganas (first year).

Last Year: MSL tourament champion.

Graduation losses: Tommy Wadas (MSL, regional champ, 28 wins) Andrew Pettit (state qualifier, 36 wins, UW-Whitewater), Jose Flores (state qualifier,MSL champ, 34 wins), Mike Eisele (state qualifier, 22 wins), Nico Silvestri (regional champ), Rocco Silvestri (sectional qualifier, 28 wins), Greg Carroll (sectional qualifier), Justin Harris (20 wins).

Key Returnees: Seniors Brian Kempf (sectional qualifier, 145, 17 wins), Justin Lovrich (160, 9 wins), Nick Zielinski (140, 13 wins).

New Faces to Watch: Sophomore Oscar Sales (135); freshmen Alex Tooren (171).

Outlook: Fresh start for Hawks and former prep star and two-time state medalist Ganas, who takes over a club which when healthy, was as dangerous as any in the area, but not so when injuries and various offenses stymied post-season hopes. "Obviously, this is a very young team, but one that is willing to work hard to reach its potential," says Ganas, who earned a pair of fourth-place medals while at Maine West. New head coach will look to lone sectional qualifier Kempf to lead the way after his inspirational run during the 2009 postseason.

Palatine

Coach: Dan Collins (fifth year)

Last Year: 3-15 (1-6-0)

Graduation losses: Tom Laskowske (state qualifier, MSL, regional champ, 41wins, Elmhurst College), Brendan Gerdes (17 wins), Brian O'Shea, Malkum Muraslov, Jason Pontrelli

Key Returnees: Seniors Jeff Burda (145), LaShon Mejias (sectional qualifier, 130, 28 wins).

Outlook: Heavy hit from back-to-back graduation losses left Pirates with too much youth and inexperience to compete in a wrestling conference such as the MSL as witnessed by a starting lineup which featured 2 freshmen and 5 sophomores at the Dundee-Crown regional last February. Former two-time state champion Collins and his staff will lean heavily on its two lone returning veterans Burda and Mejias as they look to build from within for the future.

Schaumburg

Coach: Matt Gruszka (third year)

Last Year: 14-7 (4-1, T1st MSL West)

Graduation losses: Evan Hafner (2008 state qualifier, MSL champ, 22 wins), John Mejia (West Point, 23 wins, sectional qualifier), Craig Cruz (29 wins, sectional qualifier).

Key Returnees: Seniors Danny Malik (160, 189, 34 wins, sectional qualifier), Hamza Akram (119, 130, 33 wins, sectional qualifier), John Lombardo (135, 145, 35 wins, sectional qualifier); juniors Shane Hafner (119, 130, 11 wins), Pat Felde (152, 160, 20 wins), Joe LaManna (160,189, 32 wins); sophomore Josh Marchok (189, 215 state qualifier, 35 wins, regional champ).

New Faces to Watch: Senior Patrick Scully (two-time state qualifier, sixth-place state medal, MSL, regional champ, transfer from Hoffman Estates, 119, 130, 40 wins); junior Will Lang (135, 145).

Outlook: Saxons already figured to be right there with the best not only in the MSL but the area for the upcoming season, until the arrival of Scully from Hoffman gave the club a state medalist - but now a bonafide power-packed line-up from top-to-bottom. "The pieces are there for a great deal of success, but a lot of the guys here remember (our) poor performance at the MSL tournament, so (their) focus is only on the here and now, and nothing else," said Gruszka. Championship belt for Malik (171) and second-place medal from super-soph (Marchok) at elite Conant tourney to start the season last weekend speaks volumes as does a group that could likely have perhaps 9 of its first 14 finish with 30-plus victories.

West Suburban Gold

Leyden

Coach: Jason Potter (fifth year).

Last Year: 16-8 (5-1), WSG and Mather regional champion.

Graduation losses: Adam Schammert (state qualifier, regional and sectional champ, 35 wins, Elmhurst College, playing football ), Brian Andronic (31 wins, regional champ, Marines).

Key Returnees: Seniors Dan Kiebler (fourth-place state medal, regional champ, 215, 32 wins), Kevin Lewis (sectional qualifier, 140, 35 wins), Dan Cocozza (regional champ, 160, 171, 12 wins), Max Schammert (285, 16 wins), Jose Meneses (119, 125, 13 wins), Hector Garcia (sectional qualifier, 125, 130, 20 wins); juniors Jesus Payan (103, 112, 10 wins), Andy Nguyen (sectional qualifier, 130, 135, 18 wins), Pat Foley (145, 14 wins), Tramon Thomas (285, sectional qualifier, 12 wins); sophomores Jake McCabe (sectional qualifier, 112, 119, 29 wins), Jesse McCabe (sectional qualifier, 119, 125, 36 wins).

New Faces to Watch: Senior Angel Maldanado (189); juniors Emanuel Torres (103, 112), Stephan Kunca (145, 152), Jesus Martinez (160), A.J. Sansone (189), David Ramirez (215); sophomores Alex Franco (103), Nelson Lugo (160, 171).

Outlook: Eagles lost heart and soul of club in 4-year star Schammert however senior duo of Kleiber and Lewis appear ready to assume the leadership role for a club filled with plenty of experience and itching to go farther than a year ago. "The bar has been raised within (our) program, and this team is eager to get out on the mat and get their chance to reach their goals and the teams," said Potter. Inspired by its post-season success from a year ago, the club upped the ante during off-season workouts to help improve its chances this season in its search for a state quarterfinal appearance, and have 227 returning victories from its 2009 club. Central Suburban North

Maine West

Coach: Lance Weber (third year)

Last Year: 10-9 (4-1, CSL).

Graduation losses: Danny Lowe (29 wins, 2nd CSL, University of Dubuque), Pawel Mirek (16 wins), Kevin Norman.

Key Returnees: Seniors Chris Pack (sectional qualifier, CSL champ, 160, 32 wins), Jeff Vernola (regional champ, 135, 35 wins), Charlie Vana (189, 27 wins), Christian Nunez (sectional qualifier, 285, 26 wins), Peter Giannos (103, 27 wins), Eiseen Punnose (119, 21 wins).

New Faces to Watch: Juniors Angelo Giannos (112, 7 wins), Jay Vance (125, 12 wins); sophomores Rico Zayas (130), Jake Korbecki (140).

Outlook: Warriors big-3 of Pack, Vernola, Giannos have already garnered plenty of attention in pre-season polls, and rightly so after the trio each performed at a high level in the post-season only to have injuries and tough draws end their hopes of a longer run. "Pack and Vernola are both looking very good and each hope to have great seasons in their final year at West, along with Peter (Giannos)," offered Weber. Pack appeared to be in the fast lane on his drive to Champaign last February, when a torn meniscus in his knee ended his season after a second-place finish to eventual top-8 state finisher Joe Foreman (Downers South) at York regional. Vernola came from nowhere to stun the field en route to his regional crown, and appears bigger and stronger after bumping up from 130 to 135. Nunez should make his presence known after strong 2009 finish.

East Suburbn Catholic

St. Viator

Coach: Jeff Kramarczyk (second year).

Last Year: 11-18 (1-6-0).

Graduation losses: Richard Rittmeyer (ESCC, 189, 23 wins), Tom Walsh (4th, ESCC, 125, 12 wins), Patrick Hughes.

Key Returnees: Senior T.J. Hohenadel (160, 24 wins), Eric Abrahamian (4th, ESCC, 152, 19 wins); sophomore Elliot Hilgert (130, 16 wins).

New Faces to Watch: Seniors Dominic Lullo (171), William Rittmeyer (189, 6 wins); junior Matt Izzi (140); sophomore Joe Lamantia (145).

Outlook: Transfer of Lions top man Danny Sabatello to Stevenson following his terrific run to the first state medal for the program since Paul Ducato won it all in 1986 left a void in a club looking to make some noise with its move to 2A this year. "Obviously we'd like to have Danny around for his senior year, but all we can do is wish him luck and put our focus on this team and the entire program as we go forward this year," says Kramarczyk. The Lions lead man is thrilled with the core of Hohenadel, Abrahamian and Hilgert, and expect good things to happen for this trio as the year progresses, thanks in part to an improved non-conference schedule.

<div id="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Related stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=341438">More Smiths, more winning at Wheeling <span class="date">[12/04/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>