Libertyville’s title streak snapped
The IHSA Class 3A Grant wrestling regional proved to be as difficult as advertised Saturday in Fox Lake.
No. 22-ranked Libertyville was able to get off to a good start to take the lead after the quarterfinals.
But that would be the Wildcats’ last stand as No. 7-ranked Machesney Park Harlem took command of the 11-team regional at that point en route to winning the crown by a 209-156 margin over the runner-up Wildcats.
Harlem advanced to the team sectional Feb. 22 at a site to be determined.
The Wildcats had won 11 regionals in a row dating to 2000 before their streak was snappedy.
Rockton-Hononegah placed third with 122 points to edge Warren (120.5 points). Carmel (110) was fifth and the host Bulldogs (102.5) placed sixth.
The Wildcats qualified six wrestlers to the Barrington individual sectional Friday. Senior Kevin Tavakoli (33-11) was the first of three champions. He led Carmel’s Bobby Dandino 6-0 before ultimately holding on for a 7-6 overtime victory at 145 pounds.
Wildcats 171-pound senior David Allen (18-10) pinned Harlem’s Sean Jones in 3:10 for his title.
“I wanted to not make as many mistakes and just capitalize on the mistakes my opponents made,” said Allen. “I’m just going to go all out (next week), and leave it all out on the mat. I’ve just got to listen to my coaches and I think I’ll be fine.”
Wildcats senior Luke Miller (30-9) took his first step toward returning to state, winning the 215-pound crown by injury default over Waukegan’s Jacob Ramon in 5:25.
The Wildcats’ other sectional qualifiers were runner-up Charlie Meyer at 125, third-place finisher Luke Gaeth at 130 and third-place finisher Sayad Banifazl, who edged Warren’s Aaron Brewton 5-3.
“Harlem is a great team and they have good guys all over the board,” said Wildcats coach Dale Eggert. “I was glad to see my two seniors come back and get thirds. Miller had a great day and he beat a good guy in the finals.”
Wildcats junior Pat Fitzgerald was eliminated from a return trip to state at 112.
Warren did not have any champions but qualified six to the sectional. they included 285-pounder Josh Dust (22-4), 160-pounder T.J. Parker (34-4), and 189-pounder Shakiem Chapman, who all took runner-up honors.
Warren 103-pounder Craig Mason eliminated Carmel’s Dan Carvill with a pin, while 112-pound teammate Israel Santiago placed third. At 140, Brandon Tyler placed third with a 7-3 decision over Mundelein’s Jake Long.
“I’m not particularly upset with six advancing with all that went on this week with the snow days and everything and it’s hard to get everybody focused for a tournament like this,” said Warren coach Jim Ouimette. “Israel Santiago had a great day, Harlem is really good, and coming out of this regional I think we will be in good shape next week.”
Carmel had five individuals advance, as Dandino, 140-pounder Evan Palmer and 152-pounder Tim Hourihan all took second. Brian Waldron at 119 and 285-pounder Jake Cochrane placed third.
“I’m real pleased because we’ve been preaching hard work all year long and this was a very tough regional,” said Carmel coach Bob Kuykendall. “A lot of good guys are staying home and we fell short in a few weight classes. But overall I’m happy with the guys who advanced and I’m ecstatic with Brian Waldron at 119.”
Grant junior Devin Monroy (29-13) toppled Palmer 3-1 for the 140-pound crown. At 103, Nick Kramer placed second for the Bulldogs as did 112-pound teammate Ben Soumar (30-10). Grant 215-pounder Quinton Quarles was third.
“We lost a couple of tough ones, but we had some guys get some pretty key wins that kept us competitive throughout the day,” said Grant coach Ryan Geist. “Monroy has had a pretty good season, and it’s nice to see him win a quality tournament like this.”
Mundelein senior Payton Cruz (36-4) continued to impress on his way to back-to-back trips to the state meet, winning the 135-pound title.
Mundelein junior Matt Ornoff (29-5) is trying to make his second trip to state after a one-year hiatus last year. Ornoff placed second at 130 after dropping a 1-0 decision in the finals. Pablo Mata also advanced with a 6-1 decision over Warren’s Danny Hicks for third place at 171.
I just came prepared and I wanted to do the best I could because it’s my senior year,” Cruz said. “Next week I want to do the same thing — come prepared, work hard and put in some extra time at practice.”