Grant holds slim lead after Day 1 in NSC
There were a few surprises Friday night, but the outcome of the North Suburban Conference wrestling meet is still up for grabs heading into the finals at Libertyville.
The new two-day format saw Grant take an 89-82 lead over Lake Zurich after the quarterfinals, while the host Wildcats (78 points) are not far behind in third place.
The tourney continues today with second-round consolations at 10 a.m. followed by semifinals at about 11:15 a.m. First-, third- and fifth-place matches are slated for 3:30 p.m.
Antioch has a solid fourth-place position heading into Saturday with 66 points. But NSC Lake Division champion Warren is struggling due to its depleted lineup and stands in fifth with 54 points. Stevenson (53 points) is in sixth place.
Grant had eight wrestlers soar into the semifinals, including Nick Kramer (106), Noah Drabek (113), Ben Soumar (120), Devin Monroy (138), Tony Cashmore (170), Jonathan Wells (182), Quinton Quarles (220) and Dan Haeffele (285).
“We lost some matches we could have won so that was disheartening,” said Grant coach Ryan Geist, whose team is going for eight NSC titles in 12 years. “We’ll see how they bounce back (today), and hopefully we’ll come back strong.”
Lake Zurich was quite impressive behind semifinalists Jerry Nigro (106), Gresh Henderson (120), Brandon Arteaga (132), Sean Lynch (138), Matt Mueller (145), Scott Hoff (160), Chris Lehtinen (195) and Adam Cantwell (220).
“We are focusing as a team and that has kind of been our focus this year,” said Lake Zurich coach Dan Strickler, whose team is gunning for its first NSC crown. “They support each other and that is what is creating this success right now because we don’t have any superstars.”
Like Grant and Lake Zurich, Libertyville also has eight individuals in the semifinals, including top-seeded Steve Polakowski (113), Kyle May (120), Pat Fitzgerald (126), Charlie Meyer (132), Josh Hirth (138), Austin Pettinato (145), Kevin Barbian (220) and Chris McDermand (285).
The Wildcats are aiming for their 19th NSC crown since 1973 and their fourth in a row. But coach Dale Eggert was not focusing on points following Friday’s competition.
“We lost some matches tonight and we’ve got to be tougher,” Eggert said. “We’ve got to win close matches, and we had some situations tonight where some guys were not tough.”
Libertyville sophomore Kayne MacCallum dropped a 1-0 decision to top-seeded George Gonzalez (24-3) of Antioch at 152. Gonzalez is going for back-to-back NSC titles.
Top-seeded Devin Tortorice (29-7) of Wauconda is also going for a second NSC crown at 120, as is Fitzgerald. Lynch won the 130-pound title last year, but he may be on a collision course with top-seeded Matt Ornoff (30-0) of Mundelein at 138.
“I feel like I’m wrestling well. I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing and stay on my offense,” said Ornoff. “I lifted a lot over the summer. My parents got me a personal trainer, and I just want to go out with a bang and not have any regrets.”
After missing much of the season due to injury, Antioch’s Zach Epker (6-1) is top-ranked at 170 and hoping to win two NSC championships in a row.
Then there is Vernon Hills senior Jeremy Brazil (33-1), who is ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 2A and also closing in on his second straight NSC title.
Warren was without four starting wrestlers, including 2011 state qualifier Izzy Santiago (126), who has a concussion.
“We’re just trying to get healthy for regionals and that is what really counts,” said Warren coach Jim Ouimette. “It’s disappointing because last year we were so close to winning this tournament and this year it just didn’t come together.”
Antioch’s Mike Gussarson could face Fitzgerald in the 126-pound finals while Round Lake’s Daniel Vega and Hoff could meet at 160 if the seeds hold up.
Warren’s Shakheim Chapman is the No. 1-seed at 195 with a chance to meet Wauconda’s Nate Magiera in the finals.
Stevenson’s Mark Jolcover has a shot at the finals at 106, as does teammate Justin Weber at 152. Antioch’s Zach Freundt is also a title-contender at 182.