New look for Harper wrestling
The Harper College wrestling team makes its debut today at the Loras Open in DuBuque, Iowa.
The Hawks lost five members of last year’s roster, including national place winners Edguardo Ramirez (eighth place at 125 pounds), P.J Starnes (Schaumburg, national champion at 157) and Adam Chalfant (third at 285).
The Hawks also had three members of last year’s team earn Division I scholarships — Starnes (Arizona State), Chalfant (Indiana) and Arber Bebo (Northern Illinois). Bebo recently won a wrestle-off and is in the starting lineup for the Huskies.
“It’s a pretty tough spot to be head coach,” said Harper coach Dan Loprieno of losing so much tallent. ”When you lose those quality of kids, it’s different.”
The Hawks do have one returning stater from last season in 174-pounder Kari Washington. He finished fourth in his weight class at nationals last season.
“I am looking for him to be a leader in the room and on the mat,” Loprieno said.
Top reserve 125-pounder George Innopilous will also be inserted into the lineup, and Loprieno is excited about the newcomers joining him.
“One of our better recruiting classes,” he said of of the influx of new blood.
Of his freshman class, Loprieno said, “We are two deep at a lot of (weight classes).”
In preseason workouts the Hawks have had 45 wrestlers competing for starting positions.
Six of the freshman earned top 10 placements in their high school state championships, including two from Indiana.
The Hawks’ strongest weight class might be at 141 pounds, where Loprieno reports he has a “slew of guys.”
The two best might be Josh Tardy (Naperville Central) and Vince Catardo (Conant). The 157-pound class features two freshmen from the MSL — Erwin Delarosa (Barrington) and Pat Feld (Schaumburg).
“He’s going to be a great college wrestler,” Loprieno said of Feld. “I am looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
Another wrestler to keep on eye on in this winter is Frank Abitua (Crystal Lake Central). Loprieno isn’t yet certain where Abitua will wrestle but says he’s capable between 157 and 174.
Mark Fudderman (Stevenson, 149 pounds) is a guy to keep an eye on, according to Loprieno. The feel-good story of the group might be Nick George, who is returning to wrestling after taking some time away from the sport.
“We will see what he’s got left,” Loprieno said.
In the 184 pound class, Mike Summerville (Glenbard West) and Indiana high school state qualifier Brandan Dillenbeck are both looking to win the spot in this weight class. Glenbard North product Dan Buyle will compete with high school teammate Zack Durkee and Jamie Zabrin of Buffalo Grove at 197 pounds.
“It’s like any other year,” Loprieno said of his team’s expectations.
The key, according to Loprieno, is training hard enough to wear out opponents.
“The kids have to be ready mentally and physically,” Loprieno said.
Once again, Harper has stacked the front half of the schedule with some of the season’s toughest meets.
“Our schedule is as tough as anybody in the country,” said Loprieno, whose team will wrestle at Michigan State next weekend.