Libertyville serves notice with big Lake debut

Visiting Stevenson was able to keep its North Suburban Lake Division wrestling opener close in the early going Friday night at Libertyville.

But after a decision by Stevenson 135-pounder Jordan Sherman, the host Wildcats would pull away from the Patriots for a 41-15 victory as Libertyville (2-0, 1-0) won 10 of the 13 matches overall.

Starting at 103 pounds, Libertyville sophomore Kyle May posted a 6-0 decision over Mark Jolcover to open the dual meet.

Sophomore Pat Fitzgerald followed with a 1-0 decision in a real defensive struggle with Alec Berger before teammate Luke Gaeth recorded a pin in 3:29 to stake the hosts to a quick 12-0 lead.

Stevenson (5-1, 0-1) cut the gap to 12-5 when 2009 state medalist Danny Sabatello (6-0) posted a technical fall at 125.

Libertyville 130-pounder Matt Bystol (third in state in 2009) pinned his opponent in 3:13 to boost the lead to 18-5 before Sherman (6-0) won a hard-fought 6-5 decision over Cody Olsen cut the lead to 18-8 to keep the Patriots' within striking distance.

Libertyville 140-pounder Sam Shay captured an 11-2 decision over Max O'Hara for a 22-8 lead before Kevin Tavakoli and Stevenson's Alex Garvin battled it out at 145.

The match wound up tied at 5-5 late in the third period before Tavakoli got a two-point takedown in the final seconds to capture an exciting 7-5 decision and extend the Wildcats' lead to 25-8.

"Lake Division duals always bring out the best in us," said Libertyville coach Dale Eggert, whose team is ranked ninth in Class 3A. "103 was a key match after that guy beat (May) twice last year."

The 152-pound bout was another dogfight as Stevenson's Kristian Meyer captured a 6-5 decision over Sayad Banifazl in double overtime to make the score 25-11.

Libertyville rolled to the victory after that point as 160-pounder Nick McDowell's 5-2 decision over Stevenson's Jed Stone started a big Wildcat rally.

Libertyville's Ryan Mertz added a 9-1 major decision over Nate Rubenstein at 171 for a 32-11 advantage before Josh Ronne's added a pin at 189 for a 38-11 lead with two bouts left.

"Coach E. trained us really well to pick up extra points and not let them score late," said Mertz. "I think we did real well and we don't underestimate anybody."

Luke Miller's 7-1 decision over Josh Kolman at 215 closed out a streak of four straight victories for Libertyville to make the score 41-11.

Stevenson 285-pounder David Woodstein closed out the meet with a 9-1 major decision to account for the final score.

"They're one of the best teams in the area and I have a lot of respect for coach Eggert," said Stevenson coach Shane Cook. "We're just going to keep working and get after it until we can get to that level."