Scouting Cook County sectionals
at Barrington (Class 3A)
When: 4:30 p.m. today; 10 a.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Saturday (finals)
Scene stealers
So much to pick from ... let's look at these few:
112: Josh Boggess (Prospect, 36-4), Stephfon Scales (Hersey, 35-9), Eugene Blackmon (Buffalo Grove, 30-7), Derek Elmore (Machesney Park, 34-1), Robby Schultheis (Warrren, 35-4), Matt Ornoff (Mundelein, 35-4), Miko Villanueva (Dundee-Crown, 36-4).
If the IHSA awarded at-large bids, this is the group which would deserve the extra consideration. No. 1 (Elmore) who brings his near perfect record and national ranking into the tournament, gives the bottom half of this bracket a slight edge, with (Schultheis) recent bump from 119 solidifying this side. A potential Ornoff-Villanueva semifinal tomorrow morning could be electric. The freshman, Boggess, sits atop the bracket and could await the winner of the aforementioned bout.
119: Jordan Rathje (Buffalo Grove, 27-8), Danny Sabatello (Stevenson, 32-3), Luke Gaeth (Libertyville, 29-11), Jack Kramer (Grant, 28-14), Joe Schwartz (Highland Park, 36-2), Colin Dodd (Hononegah, 38-4), Lenny Bloom (Deerfield, 33-6). This weight class is all about a rematch. Just after the new year, Schwartz caught Sabatello and the Highland Park senior stuck the Patriots top man in the final of the Leyden Invite. The duo will not meet in the final here, instead, in all likelihood, Saturday morning, with the victor on his way to the state tournament, while the other into the consolation bracket for a long ride back.
135: Luke Smith (Wheeling, 37-0), Cameron Shaffer (Lake Zurich, 30-1), Jordan Sherman (Stevenson, 33-6), Chaz Alex (Grant, 26-10), Sam Shay (Libertyville, 24-13), Blaise Butler (Boylan, 36-1). When two of the best in the area and state met last week, it was the junior (Smith) over Shaffer as the No. 1-rated majored the LZ senior. The two could meet again in the final Saturday night, but only if Shaffer can first get by No. 3 Butler, whose lone defeat of the season is to No. 2 Chris Dardanes of OPRF. "I am totally confident in my approach and style, and with the way I am wrestling each time (out)," says Smith, who lost to Butler in the off-season in a freestyle match.
140: Mike Smith (Wheeling, 34-5), Travis LaSchiava (Fremd, 28-5), Frank Abitua (Dundee-Crown, 36-5), Eric Arcos (Mundelein, 17-14), Mark Mohler (Crystal Lake South, 30-9), Michael Braswell (Zion-Benton, 36-2), John Diaz (Waukegan, 33-6). The favorites should recognize each other from a week ago in regional action, with a newcomer to the group (Mohler) ready to make a splash in this highly competitive bunch to watch. (Abitua and LaSchiava) met last week with the DC junior winning out, however the FVC champ was unable to stop (Smith) in the regional final, who one week earlier lost to LaSchiava in the MSL title match. Keep an eye on NSC champ (Braswell) and CSL champ (Diaz), as both can be found on the bottom half of the bracket along with Smith, and the gritty Mohler, who surprised the field at Machesney Park.
152: Luke Miller (Barrington, 30-7), Sean Bonner (Hersey, 40-10), Brandon Thompson (Prospect, 31-11), Anthony Pace (Lake Zurich, 33-2), Nick McDowell (Libertyville, 26-12), Pablo Mata (Mundelein, 25-14), Eric Ronning (Niles West, 34-8), Josh Anthony (Machesney Park, 31-6). A terrific first-round match (Bonner-McDowell) signals what promises to be a fight to the finish for a top-four medal and a trip downstate next weekend. "It's do-or-die this weekend for all of us, and especially if you're a senior. So you have to be ready from the start both mentally and physically," said McDowell, a three-time sectional qualifier. After a bout with a thyroid problem, Miller looked fit and strong last weekend, and the 2009 state qualifier might just find himself in the final for a second straight week with No. 4 Pace.
171: Dan Santoro (Barrington, 35-4), Jamey Zabrin (Buffalo Grove, 4-1), Ryan Mertz (Libertyville, 16-4), Ben Hertel (Mundelein, 28-12), Corey Weber (Round Lake, 24-12), Jeremy Fahler (Deerfield, 36-2), Pat Dougherty (Loyola, 38-2). "What a bracket," said respected long-time head coach at Libertyville, Dale Eggert. "You have three returning state qualifiers (Santoro, Zabrin and Fahler) all from the same regional, and at least one more all-state contender in Daugherty from Loyola." You also have a bracket with Dougherty and Fahler on one side, and Santoro, Zabrin and Mertz, on the other.
189: Lee Munster (Grant). What more needs to be said?
Bonus (103): With all due respect to this wonderful field, this is Gonzalez-Fontanetta, Part 2. The Crystal Lake South sophomore put a major decision loss on the Broncos' sophomore in the final of the Moore-Prettyman way back in late November, and the loss has had a profound effect on the 2009 state qualifier. "That (loss) was probably the best thing that has happened to me this year," he said. "It didn't leave a bad taste in my mouth, (it) instead has kept me focused in a positive way from that very day." The duo are on tap to meet tomorrow morning in a semifinal.
at De La Salle (Class 3A)
When: 4:30 p.m. today, 10 a.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Saturday (finals)
Scene stealers
140: Kevin Lewis (Leyden, 35-3), Nick Dardanes (OPRF, 38-1), Luke Nelson (Brother Rice, 17-1), Joe Wood (St. Laurence, 29-3). Nos. 1 throught 3 in the state (Dardanes, Nelson, Lewis) all meet on the South side this weekend, with the Minnesota-bound Dardanes, out to prove his No. 5 ranking in the nation. The Leyden captain lost to Dardanes earlier via a fall, and could meet the OPRF senior in the finals if he can get past Nelson on his side of the bracket.
215: Dan Kiebler (Leyden, 30-1), Joe Gonzalez (Lyons, 31-10) Laquan Hightower (OPRF, 14-1), Erik Westerberg (York, 22-2). Another No. 1 here is also the favorite in (Kiebler) who is in top form and ready to clear the field and ready himself for a state title after his fourth-place medal last season. The senior will be wary of LT junior Gonzalez, who might be in a surly mood following his 2-1 OT loss to Westerberg in the finals on the Lions' mats last weekend.
Bonus: The nationally ranked duo of 171-pound giants Charles Argue (Mt. Carmel, 35-5) and Jahwon Akui (St. Rita, 15-1) could meet for a second straight week in the finals. Argue won last Saturday in OT.
at Glenbard North (Class 3A)
When: 4:30 p.m. today, 9 a.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Saturday
Scene stealers
119: Patrick Scully (Schaumburg, 34-5), Frank Adame (Rolling Meadows, 26-14), Mitch Alexander (Conant, 23-16), Logan Arlis (Batavia, 34-0), Matt Cavallaris (Neuqua Valley, 39-2), Miguel Venecia (West Aurora, 33-8). State medalists all over this bracket highlight an exciting group of wrestlers, including two-time state qualifier and 2009 state medalist Scully, who is on a postseason roll with a pair of tech-falls and 4 pins for the MSL champs. "I am finally feeling settled in, after being around a new team for an entire year after my transfer (from Hoffman Estates), and that comfort level brings me into this tournament with a lot of confidence and no fear of anyone in a really great group of wrestlers," said Scully. No. 1 (Arlis) is the clear favorite, and No. 2 (Cavallaris) whom Scully has never wrestled, stands in the way of the Saxons' senior at the top of the bracket.
152: Joey Caprio (Rolling Meadows, 37-5), Steve Congenie (Willowbrook, 41-0), Joe Kubica (Lake Park, 35-5), Joe Brewster (Maine South, 34-3). If Caprio was an unknown before the Schaumburg regional last weekend, the Mustangs sophomore surely isn't now after defeating three-time state qualifier and CSL champion Brewster 6-3 in the final. Caprio will be hard-pressed to match his heroics, with the likes of No. 2 Congenie and No. 8 Kubica, among others.
160: Chris Pack (Maine West, 16-1), Justin Lovrich (Hoffman Estates, 22-21), Nick Proctor (Neuqua Valley, 34-2), Eric Moreno (Bartlett, 33-2), Josh Ellingwood (Plainfield Central, 31-11), Willie Anaya (Downers Grove South, 34-6). Two-time CSL champ Pack continued his amazing postseason ride after missing the entire regular season due to injuries after capturing a regional crown one week ago to help guarantee a spot in the bracket opposite Nick Proctor, who enters the competiton as No. 1 in the state and No. 8 (Intermat Magazine) in the nation. "I believe Chris has what it takes to do well this weekend, and as a senior, he is fully aware that this is his late chance," said Maine West coach Lance Weber.
171: Danny Malik (Schaumburg, 30-2), Andy Spangler (Neuqua Valley, 41-2), Danny Balderas (Downers Grove North, 33-4), Sam Penisi (Glenbard East, 36-2), Tom Randich (South Elgin, 29-8). This division here, in addition to 215, is jammed-pack with one elite after another and should provide plenty of memorable moments before the weekend comes to an end. It's not logical that a bout between No. 3 (Spangler) and No. 6 (Balderas) will take place tonight in second-round action; nevertheless, one of the best in the state will enter the consolation bracket this evening. The Saxons' Malik is on course to see No. 7 Pennisi, who lost to Balderas 8-6 in the Berman Holiday Invite final.
215: Josh Marchok (Schaumburg, 34-2), Jake Randich (South Elgin, 41-1), Parker Settecase (Glenbard East, 36-3), Robby Bain (Bolingbrook, 31-2). Clearly four of the best in the state are in the same venue this weekend, and how it ends is just about anyone's guess. "I know that I have a lot of respect for each and every guy in this group," says Marchok, who last year at this time began his rise to power, which currently puts the sophomore at No. 3. "I don't believe any of is the clear-cut favorite, and I know that I won't take anyone lightly, beginning from my first match of the tournament." If all goes to plan, Marchok will meet Randich Saturday morning in the rubber match between these two standouts. The MSL champ lost to the two-time state qualifier 8-4, after a 5-2 victory. No. 5 (Bain) defeated the DVC champ (Settecase) 6-5.
Bonus: State giants Eric Oyster (Plainfield Central, 30-5) vs. Spartak Chino (Wheaton Warrenville South, 30-1) in a Saturday morning 140-pound semifinal. Talk about your breakfast special!
at Fenton (Class 2A)
When: 4:30 p.m. today, 11 a.m. Saturday, 5 p.m. Saturday (finals)
Storyline
So, how do you handicap a sectional which sends unknown qualifiers from a pair of Chicago regionals, and its 28 wrestlers with under .500 records, including an individual champion? Start with Montini. The No. 1 team in the land is here, and for clubs such as St. Viator, in in its initial foray into the 2A wrestling world, the race is on to grab top four spots in each division.
Scene stealers
152: Eric Abrahamian (St. Viator, 29-12), Hunter Moseley (Antioch, 22-17), Chris Butz (Fenton, 25-12), Brandon McBride (Montini, 36-9), Jamal Carter (Chicago Uplife, 31-3). McBride is ranked No. 2 in the state. Abrahamian will feed into him after a hopeful first-round victory over Danny Fricano (Gordon Tech, 9-11), then the co-captain goes after his first tournament appearance in his career. "The first step in getting downstate was over after advancing out of the regionals last weekend, but to reach my goal of going to state, I have to be focus, and wrestle as hard and as well as I can, beginning with my opener today," said Abrahamian, who finished third at the ESCC, and second at the Lakes regional.
160: T.J. Hohenadel (St. Viator, 36-7), Zach Epker (Antioch, 33-10), Josh Scannel (Grayslake North, 17-4), Arralein Brown (Fenton, 24-15), Dimitri Willis (Montini, 33-9). Hohenadel is on the other side of the bracket from the No. 2 (Willis) and Epker, who defeated the Lion's four-year standout for the crown at Lakes last weekend.
Bonus footage: Montini sophomore (Kevon Powell, 38-6, 103) is No. 15 nationally (Intermat Magazine) while teammate and Navy-bound Colton Rasche (39-4) is No. 20 at 130 pounds.