Host Antioch features seven competitors still alive
There were no major upsets the first day of the IHSA Class 2A Antioch wrestling sectional Friday night.
The host Sequoits are looking good heading into today’s competition beginning at 11 a.m. The semifinals are slated for noon, followed by first and third-place matches at 5 p.m. The top three finishers in each weight class will earn berths to the state meet in Champaign next weekend.
Antioch had seven of its eight qualifiers stay alive Friday. The exception was 285-pounder Lee Shannon, who could not wrestle because of an injury.
But the Sequoits did see 2010 state qualifiers George Gonzalez (40-4 at 145) and Zach Epker (36-7 at 189) roll into the semifinal round.
Antioch’s Brandon Schultz will face Grayslake North 112-pounder Nick Klein in one semifinal match. Antioch 125-pounder Mike Gussarson is in the opposite bracket of Vernon Hills senior Gideon Yim (36-2), who is gunning for a third trip downstate.
The Sequoits are also represented in the semifinals by Mike Morales at 130, Hunter Moseley at 160, and Zach Freundt at 171.
“I’m excited that we’ve got everybody alive,” said Antioch coach Wilbur Borrero. “Now what would be nice is having seven guys in the finals and we’re very capable of doing it.”
Grayslake North’s five individuals were flawless, with Klein, 119-pounder Angel Cabrera (35-6), 135-pounder Rich Downes (37-3), 152-pounder Stone Dax, and 215-pounder Jimmy Prince cruising into the semifinals. Downes and Prince are shooting for back-to-back state trips.
Wauconda’s six individuals were also impressive — as 103-pounder Devin Tortorice (34-5), 140-pounder Bruce Pearl, 145-pounder Tim Alvarado, 160-pounder Pete Kootstra (34-6), 171-pounder Nate Magiera and 215-pounder Brian Kent (31-1) are all in the semifinals.
“I definitely want to win this tournament and get a bye next week,” said Kent, who pinned his opponent in the quarterfinals. “I just stick to my moves, I really don’t try to deviate, and I’m confident in my ability.”
Kootstra was knocked out of the state tourney last year by a concussion in the regionals, but this year he has been on a mission.
“Kent and Kootstra are ready for it. They both know what they want to do, and this is just one of the stepping stones,” said Wauconda coach Tom Nance. “Neither one of them will be happy just to get to state.”
Yim rolled into the semis, but 2010 state qualifier and teammate Dan Klema dropped a 9-4 decision to Gordon Tech’s Alexis Barrera in the quarterfinals.
Klema and teammate Jonathan Ramirez (135) can still advance in the wrestlebacks. Teammates Jeremy Brazil (36-6 at 285), and David Pierce (140) are in the semifinals.
“I think Yim is looking good. He’s a senior, he’s focused, and I think he’ll be fine,” said Vernon Hills coach Jerry Miceli. “Brazil has really wrestled strong the last three weeks, and I think he has a good chance to get downstate.”
After being disqualified in the regional finals, Grayslake Central 140-pounder Sean Keever was eliminated from sectional competition.
But the Rams have three 2010 state qualifiers in the semifinals including Bobby Raines (33-7) at 103, Joey Valdivia (24-3) at 189 and Kevin Hein (31-9) at 215. Hein will face Prince in one semifinal bout with the winner probably facing Kent for the title.
“They’re all returning (state) qualifiers, but every year is different,” said Grayslake Central coach Dan Catanzaro. “They will all need to win at least one if not two tough matches to get out.”
Lakes teammates Tyler Booth (32-9 at 135), and Kyle Gibson (33-9 at 140) reached the semifinals. Jose Collado (130) lost his quarterfinals bout.