Scouting Lake County wrestling
North Suburban Conference
LAKE DIVISION
Lake Zurich
Coach: Dan Strickler (18th season)
Last year’s record: sixth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Anthony Pace (6th in state at 152), Cameron Shaffer, Wilson Potts, Andy McCullough
Top returning competitors: seniors Alex Nigro (135), Zach Ullman (145), Pat Nieto (130); juniors Matt Mueller (140), Scott Hoff (152), Daniel Cardenas (171)
Key newcomers: sophomores Michael Copp (112), Apollo Millon (285), Vinny LoVerde (119); freshmen Brandon Arteaga (125), Jerry Nigro (103)
Outlook: The Bears have always managed to put together a lot of outstanding individuals, but a lack of experience, depth, and numbers could once again make it very difficult for them to compete in the rugged NSC Lake Division this season.
Libertyville
Coach: Dale Eggert (24th season)
Last year’s record: 19-4 overall, NSC champions, Class 3A team sectional champions, Class 3A Elite Eight qualifiers
Top graduated seniors: Matt Bystol (5th in state at 125, Columbia University-New York), Josh Ronne (4th in state at 160, Harper College), Ryan Mertz, Nick McDowell, Sam Shay, Cody Olsen, Jorge Arreola
Top returning competitors: seniors Luke Miller (189, state qualifier), Luke Gaeth (125, sectional qualifier), Sayad Banifazl (152, sectional qualifier), Kevin Tavakoli (145), Tommy Ward (152), David Allen (171), Pat Regan (130); juniors Pat Fitzgerald (112, state qualifier), Kyle May (112), Charlie Meyer (130)
Key newcomers: seniors Zach Michelsen (140), Richard Vachula (215), Erik Fischer (285), Gibby Williams (171), Nate Yordy (160/171); sophomores Austin Pettinato (135), Michael Arendt (119), Sal Ayala (152)
Outlook: After reaching the Elite Eight state meet last season, the Wildcats are back again with great depth and experience as they will be gunning for a third straight NSC crown behind a senior-dominated lineup. Libertyville could be facing a tough fight from upstart Stevenson and other teams. But the Wildcats could knock down yet another Lake Division crown this winter if they can stay relatively healthy.
Mundelein
Coach: Tom Buenik (seventh season)
Last year’s record: 19-4 overall, fourth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Juan Jaimes (CLC), Ben Hertel (Concordia College, WI), Jake Hertel (Loras College), Dion Livas (CLC), Eric Arcos (CLC), Brandon Aranda (Illinois)
Top returning competitors: seniors Pablo Mata (171), Payton Cruz (140), Brandon Galster (285); juniors Matt Ornoff (130, 6th in state in 2009), Dan Winberg (135);sophomore Nick Dudzinski (112)
Key newcomers: senior Kevin Drehobl (189); juniors Gilbert Ceniceros (119), Spencer Ward (152);sophomore Jake Long (145); freshman Ray Ceniceros (103)
Outlook: With six very key seniors lost to graduation, the Mustangs could be very hard-pressed to match their overall or conference records from last year. But with junior standout Matt Ornoff as one of its key mat leaders, Mundelein should still be very competitive this season in the rugged NSC.
Stevenson
Coach: Shane Cook (fifth season)
Last year’s record: 16-5, third in NSC)
Top graduated seniors: Jordan Sherman (University of Illinois), Kristian Meyer (Boston University), Tommy McGovern (Carthage College), Max O’Hara, David Woodstein, Nate Rubenstein
Top returning competitors: seniors Danny Sabatello (125, state champion at 119), Brandon Weber (215), Mark Futterman (145/152), Ken Waks (171), Jacob Weiss (135), Alex Garvin (140)
Key newcomers: seniors Scott Dahlin (112) Max Nolan (130), Ryan Levine (189); juniors Mike Kuhn (285), Joey Bauer (119); sophomores Justin Weber (145), Brendan Wood (103), Broderick Reifenberg (160)
Team outlook: With a real standout in defending 119-pound senior state champion Danny Sabatello to lead them, the Patriots hope to put together another strong season in the NSC despite having to replace many key wrestlers from last winter up and down the roster. Early in the season, the Pats look like they could push Libertyville in the Lake Division, but they will need to prove themselves in a head-to-head battle.
Warren
Coach: Jim Ouimette (first season)
Last year’s record: 18-4 overall, fifth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Robby Schultheis (Colorado School of Mines), Chandler Sperry, Colin Seebach
Top returning competitors: seniors Josh Dust (285, 6th in state in 2010), T.J. Parker (160), Brandon Tyler (140), Pat Oswald (145); juniors Aaron Brewton (152), Shakiem Chapman (189)
Key newcomers: junior Josh Bixler (145), sophomores Mike Malles (103), Craig Mason (103), Blake Howard (135), Danny Hicks (171); freshman Israel Santiago (112)
Outlook: The Mark Tiffany coaching era may have ended last February after 27 very solid seasons at Warren. But the Blue Devils’ program still appears to be in pretty good shape heading into the first season of the Jim Ouimette coaching era as Warren has a balanced team with some strong senior leaders.
PRAIRIE DIVISION
Antioch
Coach: Wilbur Borrero (seventh season)
Last year’s record: seventh in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Al Arden (state qualifier)
Top returning competitors: seniors Brandon Schultz (112), Nick Bock (130/135), Hunter Moseley (152/160); juniors George Gonzalez (145/152, state qualifier), Zach Epker (171/189, state qualifier), Teddy Montemayor (189/215), Lee Shannon (215/275), Mike Morales (130/135)
Key newcomers: sophomores Mike Gussarson (125/130); freshmen Briley Schultz (103), Zac Keller (160)
Outlook: After reaching the Elite Eight team meet for the first time in school history last season in Class 2A, the Sequoits have the vast majority of their team back and hoping to make a repeat appearance in Champaign this winter. It could be tough to topple 10-time reigning champion Grant in the Prairie Division, but Antioch will try to break the Bulldogs’ perfect record in divisional dual meets.
Grant
Coach: Ryan Geist (12th season)
Last year’s record: second in NSC, Prairie Division champions
Top graduated seniors: Lee Munster (three-time state champion, Northwestern University), Jason Montemayor (4th in state at 130, NIU), Chaz Alex, Carl Williams, Jack Kramer, Christian Balderas, Edgar Tellez, Tyler Shogren, Kyle Clark, Matt Bellson, Scott Ray, Justin Lalanda
Top returning competitors: seniors Jose Jimenez (152, 2008 state qualifier), Devon Monroy (140), Mikus Balams (189), Jake Moore (145); juniors Quinton Quarles (215), Ben Soumar (112), Nick Kramer (103), Tony Cashmore (160), Charles Williams (171)
Key newcomers: seniors Paul Stressler (119), Brett Conway (125); junior Austin Spychalski (130); sophomores Nick Fanella (135), Dan Haeffle (285)
Outlook: With 10 new starters in the varsity lineup it will definitely not be business as usual for the Bulldogs. But with the proper dedication, training, and will to win, Grant can win its 11th straight Prairie Division crown while still being a force overall in the NSC this winter.
Lakes
Coach: Curt Onstad (sixth season)
Last year’s record: 4-17 overall, 11th in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Phil Cappitelli (UW-LaCross), Grant Franson (Lakeland College, WI), Mike Divito
Top returning competitors: seniors Kyle Gibson (140), Kyle Sherman (145), Terence Shapcott (160);junior Tyler Booth (135)
Key newcomers: sophomores Kyle Milette (112), Dillon Falotico (285)
Outlook: While the Eagles lost two Class 2A state qualifier’s to graduation, coach Onstad believes this could be one of Lakes’ better seasons. The Eagles’ have a full lineup with good depth, and they hope to make a big move up the divisional and league standings.
Round Lake
Coach: Mike Hruska (2nd season)
Last year’s record: 9-19 overall, 12th in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Corey Weber, Tony Cox, Miguel Miranda, Antonio Valdez, Tariq Mitchell
Top returning competitors: senior Giovani Naverrette (125); juniors Dan Vega (160), Adrian Real (140/145), Jeremy Garcia (152);sophomore Videl Arteaga (119)
Key newcomers: seniors Pablo Jimenez (189), Fernando Gomez (130); juniors Anthony Burton (171), Ben Garcia (285), Lucas Berry (285), Robert Smythe (135);sophomores Matt Hanson (103), Jonathon Gallegos (189), Chris Griffel (215), Mike Casavant (112)
Outlook: Despite many losses to graduation, the Panthers proved they can still be competitive with an early-season 1-point victory over Antioch. Now Round Lake hopes to move up the ladder in the divisional standings and prepare for the rugged Class 3A state tournament.
Vernon Hills
Coach: Jerry Miceli (11th season)
Last year’s record: ninth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Joe Brignon (state qualifier), Rory Klema (state qualifier), Brandon Wolff
Top returning competitors: seniors Gideon Yim (130, state qualifier), Vin Tran (171), Connor Bryson (189), Riley Adkisson (119); juniors Danny Klema (145/152, state qualifier), Jeremy Brazil (285), Wayne Didier (215), Tyler Amieda (135/140)
Key newcomers: sophomores Dave Pierce (140), Ben Turley (145), Andrew Schwartz (140), Jake Hallandorff (135)
Outlook: With two of their five state qualifier’s from last season back and competing, the Cougars definitely have a solid nucleus to build around this winter. Senior Gideon Yim will be making a bid for a third straight trip to the state meet while junior teammate Danny Klema is aiming for back-to-back appearances at the Assembly Hall.
Wauconda
Coach: Tom Nance (27th season)
Last year’s record: 14-6, eighth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Mike Brown, Jeff Costa, Tom Tyrrell, J.D. Vanderwiel, Tyler Glover, Cody Smith, Colin Murphy, Mike Thomas, Karl Schroepfer, Kyle Mitchell
Top returning competitors: seniors Pete Kootstra (152/160), Tim Alvarado (145/152), Aaron Allard (135/140); juniors Jake Sherman (171/189), Jeremy Olson (145/152), Greg Sassi (152/160); sophomores Devin Tortorice (103/112), Bruce Pearl (140), Dylan Shanholtzer (119/125)
Key newcomers: senior Nick Cordova (140/145); juniors Curtis Mini (145/152), Casey Allard (140/145), Emmanuel Pacheco (171/189), Ryan Efflandt (112), Luke Bernard (160/171), Bogdan Schak (160/171), Nick Schaer (171/189); sophomores Damien Nelson (130), Will Danner (215), Elias Mazikowski (112), Owen Wolfe (103/112)
Outlook: After losing 10 seniors to graduation, the Bulldogs will need a lot of their young wrestlers to step up in a big way if they are to make any sort of an impact in the NSC. After placing second in the NSC to Grant’s Lee Munster last year at 189, Wauconda senior Brian Kent has decided to lift weights and pursue a college football scholarship instead of wrestling this season.
FOX VALLEY FOX
Grayslake Central
Coach: Dan Catanzaro (second season)
Last year’s record: 9-10 overall
Top graduated seniors: Chris Makey, Grant Deal, Alex Jensen
Top returning competitors: seniors Kevin Hein (189/215, fourth in state at 189) Bobby Raines (103, state qualifier), Tom Browne (119), John Curtis (171); juniors Dylan Hay (135, state qualifier), Joey Valdivia (189/215, state qualifier), Sean Keever (140)
Key newcomers: senior Lee Brown (285); juniors Mark Long (130), Tom Halloran (145/152), Chris Wollmuth (145/152), Sean Halloran (160), Jimmy Molitor (189/215)
Outlook: With four returning state qualifier’s back and only one wrestler lost from their regional lineup last year, the Rams are poised to put together a great 2010-11 season. Senior Kevin Hein is a highly ranked individual in Class 2A after placing fourth in the state last winter at 189.
Grayslake North
Coach: Tom Frye (third season)
Last year’s record: 20-6 overall, seventh in FVC
Top graduated seniors: Dan Lutz (state qualifier), Josh Scannell, Dominic Cervantes
Top returning competitors: seniors Rich Downes (135, state qualifier), Cory Bergstrom (125), Sean Bergstrom (130), Alex Thompson (152),juniors Jimmy Prince (171, state qualifier), Nick Klein (112), Angel Cabrera (119), Aaron Hoover (140), Jack Becker (189), Zach Young (215);sophomore Luke Pritchett (103)
Key newcomers: juniors Andrew Soulis (171), Kasen Christiansen (285); sophomores A.J. Downes (125), Sheldon Keel (140)
Outlook: With 11 varsity starters returning to the mat, including two state-meet qualifiers, the Knights are looking forward to an exciting season with their sight’s on a potential top-three finish in the powerful FVC if all goes well.
East Suburban Catholic Conference
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC
Carmel
Coach: Bob Kuykendall (third season)
Last year’s record: 13-8 overall, 5-2 in ESCC
Top graduated seniors: Shane Siefert (Wisconsin-Whitewater), J.P. Hough (Missouri), Frankie Swindell, Steve Lester
Top returning competitors: seniors Brian Waldron (119), Dan Carvill (103), Evan Palmer (135), Bobby Dandino (145), Tim Hourihan (152), David Heath (171), Mike Patrone (130)
Key newcomers: senior Terence Bragado (140); sophomores Jake Cochrane (285), Jimmy Dandino (140), Marty Schwartz (125); freshman Dom Panico (103)
Outlook: The Corsairs will certainly have their work cut out in the rugged ESCC. But they will strive to be competitive in every weight class with an eye on trying to advance as many individuals deep into the individual state tournament as possible.