Wrestling / Scouting Lake County regionals

Step one on the road to the 2011 IHSA individual state wresting meet begins Saturday morning for 14 Lake County area squads.

In Class 3A, Grant will host one of four regionals that feeds into the Barrington individual sectional the following weekend.

The top three individuals in each weight class will qualify for the sectional, while the first-place teams will advance to the team sectional at a site yet to be determined.

The 11-team Grant regional begins at 9 a.m. and wraps up with first- and third-place matches at 5:30 p.m.

North Suburban Conference champion Libertyville will be seeking its 28th regional crown in school history. But the Wildcats will be hard-pressed to get past 10th-ranked Machesney Park Harlem and Rockton Hononegah in the 11-team field.

NSC runner-up Warren will be going all-out to make a push for sectionals along with the host Bulldogs, Mundelein, Carmel and Round Lake.

Libertyville teammates Pat Fitzgerald (112) and Luke Miller (215) hope to take their first steps in getting back to state. Charlie Meyer (25), Luke Gaeth (130), Kevin Tavakoli (145), Sayad Banifazil) and Richard Vachula (189) are strong contenders for sectionals as well for the Wildcats.

“We will just do the best we can at regionals because there is so much you can’t control,” said Libertyville coach Dale Eggert. “I think we’re ready to do our best whatever that may be and I’m sure Warren will be at full strength.”

The Blue Devils competed at conference without Shakiem Chapman (189), Jovan Dubose (215) and two other starters. Warren hopes to shine Saturday behind conference champ T.J. Parker (32-3) at 160.

Warren has numerous sectional contenders in Craig Mason (103), Israel Rantiago (112), Martin Martinez (119), Brandon Tyler (140), Aaron Brewton (152), Danny Hicks (171), and Josh Dust, who placed sixth in the state last year at 285.

“It’s going to be hard to get out of our regional any way you look at it,” said Warren coach Jim Ouimette. “We have to have everybody healthy and leave it all out there.”

Mundelein 140-pounder Payton Cruz begins his quest to get back downstate while 171-pound teammate Pablo Mata also has been impressive.

Grant 112-pounder Ben Soumar has put together a strong season, while Carmel is led by Tim Hourihan (152), Brian Waldron (125) and Bobby Dandino (145).

The Class 3A Deerfield regional will provide a huge test for Stevenson as the Patriots will face a major obstacle in Mid-Suburban League champion Barrington for a berth to the team sectionals beginning at 9 a.m.

Lake Zurich has some strong individuals competing in the 11-team field. But Stevenson senior Danny Sabatello (33-0) is on a mission to become a repeat state champion.

The Patriots’ also have seniors Max Nolan (130), Mark Futterman (152) and Brandon Weber (215) ready to make their push for sectionals and beyond.

Lake Zurich freshman Sean Lynch (17-3) hopes to keep rolling at 130 along with senior teammate Alex Nigro at 135. Sophomore Mike Copp (119) and senior Zach Ullman (145) also have good chances of advancing for the Bears.

In Class 2A, Grayslake North will host a powerful nine-team regional Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. First and third-place bouts are slated for 3 p.m.

The top three in each weight class will reach the Antioch individual sectional the following weekend.

After finishing runner-up to top-ranked Crystal Lake Central at the Fox Valley Conference meet, the host Knights appear to have the best shot at upsetting sixth-ranked Richmond-Burton for a berth to the Fenton team sectional on Feb 22.

Grayslake North has two individuals in 135-pounder Rich Downes and 215-pounder Jimmy Prince hoping to start their bids for another trip to state.

Grayslake North teammates Nick Klein (112), Angel Cabrera (119), Sean Bergstrom (125), Jack Becker (171) and Kasen Christiansen (285) hope to also keep their season’s alive.

“It’s not going to be easy to knock Richmond-Burton off, but we definitely have the team to do›it,” Grayslake North coach Tom Frye said. “This is one of the most impressive regionals I’ve seen looking around the state.”

After tying for fourth in the NSC, Wauconda and Antioch also have their sights set squarely on Richmond-Burton in what could be a highly competitive regional.

Wauconda has two elite individuals in 215-pounder Brian Kent (28-1) and 103-pounder Devin Tortorice. Antioch counters with stars George Gonzalez (145) and Zach Epker (189).

“It’s going to be an interesting regional,” said Antioch coach Wilbur Borrero. “The bottom line is, ‘Who is on the top of their game that day?’ That’s what it’s all about.”

Grayslake Central can certainly not be taken lightly as 215-pounder Kevin Hein placed fourth in the state last year at 189.

The Rams have three other 2010 state qualifiers trying to get back downstate in Bobby Raines (103), Dylan Hay (145), and Joey Valdivia (189).

After missing the NSC meet due to injury, Vernon Hills 125-pound junior Gideon Yim is set to start his road back to state with junior teammate Danny Klema at 145. Junior 285-pounder Jeremy Brazil was an NSC champ for the Cougars.

Lakes has two elite wrestler’s in Tyler Booth (135) and Kyle Gibson (140).