Scouting Class 3A dual team state wrestling

By Mike Garofola

Daily Herald Correspondent

When: Saturday — quarterfinals, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.; semifinals, 2 p.m.; title and third-place matches, 6 p.m.

Where: U.S. Celluar Coliseum, Bloomington

Barrington storyline: The start of what would become an avalanche of victories against all other Mid-Suburban League opponents during the regular season carried over into the tournament schedule. It led the Broncos to their second consecutive romp at the conference tourney and one week later, a lap around the field to capture their third straight regional crown and then Tuesday’s third straight sectional title to send the Broncos to another trip to the state tournament this weekend where they will face Naperville Central in the 9 a.m. quarterfinal.

First-year head coach Ken Hoving took over for Al Strobl after he and wife welcomed twins to their family, and the longtime assistant coach hasn’t skipped a beat, leading his lads to an impressive overall record, championship trophies at both the Moore-Prettyman and Dick Mudge, and a fourth-place finish at the prestigious Dvorak, where senior Cameron Thomson made a statement on the wrestling scene by lifting the big trophy at 170 pounds.

Hoving’s outfit began the season in determined fashion, and never looked back, proving to be too strong for most, not only on the mats, but also as a team and program, with the new coach stressing from the get-go the only way they will succeed as individuals, is to be a tightly woven group.

“Being a unified team is something we talked about right from the first day that I took over, and we haven’t let up on (that) — so much so, that all of the guys began wearing a necklace with a circle (on the end of it) ever since the postseason as a symbol of our unity and strength as a team, and it’s something everything is proud to be a part of,” says Hoving.

The Broncos have been in the top five of the state polls all season long, after preseason prognosticators listed them at No. 22 — which would rise quickly, later validated by the Broncos average conference victory of 61-6 before its 95-point MSL title margin and 78-point win at the Stevenson regional.

But that’s all been celebrated and put to history, now it’s on to the biggest weekend for the team of the season.

“Naperville (Central) is a very good team, but we like our chances, and look forward to getting through and into a match with (Oak Park-River Forest), who we feel we are ready to go up against with the opportunity to compete for a state title,” said Hoving. “This is what our guys have been working towards from the offseason (forward) and their commitment and effort is the reason we are where we’re at right now.”

Barrington (17-2) vs. Naperville Central (11-10), 9 a.m.

The Broncos’ return to the state tournament for the third straight time came after a nervous evening against Grant on Tuesday, which saw a commanding performance down the stretch help finish off the North Suburban Conference champs.

Three years ago, when they advanced for the first time in history, seven from this roster where on that fourth-place team, including Jared Parvinmehr (concussion, 35-3 at 113) and Ryan Wilt (torn oblique muscle), who both have been ruled out after late season injuries knocked them out of the lineup.

But the 2011-2012 version of the Broncos is less about individuals, and more of depth, perhaps the best during the last three seasons. Adrian Gonzalez (35-5, 106), Kevin Conrad (32-12, 126), Coord Wiseman (38-12, 145), Thomson (37-5, 170), Mark Shealy (33-6, 182) and Ben Calamari also have 30-plus victories, Michael Lurz (29-10, 160), Nick Shealy (29-13, 152) and Daniel Davidson (28-16, 220) could get there Saturday and Joe Thorn is 25-16 at 138. All are tourney tested at their own Moore-Prettyman, and the Dvorak, as well as duals with high profile programs such as Glenbard North, Lockport and Deerfield.

The Redhawks are the surprise entrant in this field after they upended a very good club 20-win side from Maine West to book their place in the Elite Eight for the second time in program history.

The state qualifying trio of Ryan Berg (192, 36-8), Luke Roth (182, 27-15) and Tom Mitrenga (160, 36-9) are exceptional, but coach Rob Porter has a wonderful cast of players after his big three, including sectional qualifiers Mitch Lee (113, 26-16), Steven Splan (120, 29-16), Ben Williamson (126, 29-14) and Kirk Cherep (132, 31-13), who were all one win away from going to Champaign.

Machesney Park Harlem (23-1) vs. Oak Park-River Forest (16-3), 9 a.m.

Tough draw for the NIC-10 champs who are here for the second consecutive time, thanks to 113-pound state champ Jordan Northrup (42-3), fifth-place medalist (Zak Denny, 120, 32-7), and a solid dual-team lineup, which might need more than that to overcome the No. 1 team in the state. Oak Park has 182-pound state champ Sammy Brooks (39-1) and a trio of emerging underclassmen (Matthew Rundell, Larry Early, Davonte Mahomes) who all medaled last weekend for coach Mike Powell, a recent subject of a Sports Illustrated feature story. They are picked by many to win it all.

Sandburg (24-2-0) vs. Lockport (19-2-0), 11 a.m.

This dual might be the most tightly contested of the four quarterfinals in a battle between No. 3 Sandburg vs. No. 6 Lockport, where each club features four state medalists from last weekend, including the Porters sensational duo of champions Shaun’Que McMurtry (45-1) and repeater Brad Johnson (192, 28-0).

The Eagles have a pair of runners-up in Sebastian Pique (120, 40-4) and Ricky Robertson (170, 44-1), and along with Mitch Cook (138) and Collin Holler (145), all return next season.

Glenbard North (18-4-0) vs. Minooka (20-3-0), 11 a.m.

The extensive experience of coach Mark Hahn and Glenbard North’s numerous attacking weapons should serve the Panthers well, who will look to 120-pound champ (Jered Cortez, 46-0) and two-time runner-up Brian Murphy (152) to avenge an earlier loss to Minooka. Glenbard North won it all last season by defeating its quarterfinal opponent 31-24 to capture its first state crown in program history.

Minooka three-time state medalist Jake Residori (46-2), whose brilliant performance last weekend in Champaign ended in the senior taking home the championship ring at 171 when he defeated Sandburg’s Robertson to record his 151st career win. Minooka’s losses have been to Sandburg, Lockport and East Suburban Catholic Conference champion Marist.