Scouting the dual team wrestling state tournament
27th dual team wrestling state tournament
Where: U.S. Cellular Coliseum, Bloomington
Saturday's schedule: Quarterfinals 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.; semifinals 2 p.m., finals 6 p.m.
Class 3A quarterfinals
No. 14 Barrington (20-2) vs. No. 12 Libertyville (19-3), 9 a.m.
Core guys for Barrington - Dan Santoro (171 pounds, 42 wins), Luke Miller (152, 38 wins), Adrian Gonzalez (103, 42 wins), Kalvin Argueta (189, 37 wins), Dakota Wapotish (140, 29 wins), Aaron Castagna (285, 29 wins).
Core guys for Libertyville - Matt Bystol (125, 42 wins), Josh Ronne (160, 45 wins), Luke Miller (215, 34 wins), Ryan Mertz (171, 19 wins), Nick McDowell (152, 27 wins), Luke Gaeth (119, 33 wins), Pat Fitzgerald (103, 32 wins).
Fact: Both clubs mirror each other in how they rely heavily on their stars (Santoro and Miller for Barrington, Bystol and Ronne for Libertyville) to set the pace, then count on the rest to deliver the knockout punch when needed. Each team is resilient, hard-working and inspired by coaching staffs that insist on team first - witnessed by their ability to win close matches, earn bonus points and be tactically aware in bouts.
They said it
"(Libertyville) has a lot of history and tradition in the postseason under Dale Eggert, and they are the model program to follow, and right now we're hoping to start some of our (own) very soon."
- Barrington coach Al Strobl
"We better bring the same intensity (Barrington) did the other night to beat a good Hononegah team, or we won't have any chance of beating them."
- Libertyville coach Dale Eggert
No. 2 Sandburg (25-2) vs. No. 8 Plainfield Central (16-4), 9 a.m.: Eagles' best might be freshman Colin Holler (39-7), fifth last week at 119, who joins eight others with 30 wins on a team that went undefeated against teams from Illinois. The trio of state medalists from Plainfield Central are impressive in Eric Oyster (140, 37-6), Joey Uccardi (145, 40-2) and Lavelle Howard (285, 38-5)
No. 1 Minooka (23-1) vs. No. 9 Oak Park-River Forest (19-2), 11 a.m.: Oak Park boasts three state champions (Nick and Chris Dardanes, Sam Brooks) and the extra firepower necessary to win its second straight title. The No. 1 Indians have held the top spot all season and would like nothing more than to erase their heartbreaking 33-30 loss last February. Should this dual be for the state title?
No. 10 Glenbard North (21-7) vs. Leyden (19-4), 11 a.m.: Leyden returns to the state tourney for the first time since 1986 when it stunned No. 6 Mt. Carmel before a noisy home crowd inside storied Farina Fieldhouse. The task ahead is huge for its dynamic senior duo of Dan Kiebler (215, 37-2) and Kevin Lewis (140, 39-5) against a Glenbard North club which features state champ Joey Gosinski (125, 49-0) and a program that's been here nine times under coach Mark Hahn - including last year when it finished third.
Class 2A quarterfinal
Antioch (11-20) vs. Champaign Central (20-2), 11 a.m.: On paper, Central would appear to be the heavy favorite, just on overall records alone. However, the Big 12 runners-up will need to be careful not to overlook the Sequoits and their trio of state qualifiers; George Gonzalez (140, 36 wins), Al Arden (145, 34 wins) and sophomore Zach Epker (38-12), who was eliminated one round from a state medal by Central senior Adam Acheson (38-4) at 160. Antioch won Lakes regional to begin its quest for the first state appearance in coach Wilbur Borrero's 18 seasons.