Wrestling: Sectional scouting, Northwest

Wrestling: Sectional scouting, Northwest

The final knockout round of the wrestling season is upon us, which means it's time for a top-four finish - or time to go home.

Day No. 2 of this weekend's sectional meets will be filled with thrills, spills and drama as those competing in front draw semifinals know a win means booking a hotel room in Champaign, while a victory in the consolation brackets keeps you alive and one win closer to getting downstate as well.

It's in wrestle-backs where even the best of the best sometime fail, while others, seemingly forgotten in their 16-man field, rise up and find a way onto the guest list downstate.

Class 3A at BarringtonWhen: 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday (1:30 p.m. finals)

Both MSL champ Wheeling and runner-up Barrington are coming off impressive efforts to win their respective regional titles, and both advanced nearly everyone from their starting lineups. So the chances are good both will get their fair share downstate from this highly competitive sectional.

Here's a look at a few weight classes of special interest:

Weight watching:

106 - Kai Conway (Barrington, 30-7), Eric Le (Wheeling, 26-14), Dane Durlacher (Mundelein, 35-4), Alex Mitchell (Libertyville, 17-0), Justin Peters (Jacobs, 23-13), Sam Spencer (Huntley, 36-9), Peyton Timmons (Crystal Lake South, 27-18), Matt Templeton (Deerfield, 32-9): Mitchell is the man to beat As the lone senior, and returning state qualifier, the Wildcats veteran also is the No. 4 rated man in the state, solidified by his back-to-back wins over No. 8 (Durlacher). Conway and Spencer have been terrific in their rookie seasons against first-class opponents.

113 - Matthew Joyce (Hersey, 17-8), Manny Ramirez (Wheeling, 39-4), Tucker Priola (Barrington, 20-16), Tommy Frezza (Stevenson, 33-3), Jake Harrier (Jacobs, 34-6), Daniel McPherson (Round Lake, 29-12), Jimmy Pellegrino (Huntley, 22-19), Jason Saravia (Palatine, 19-11), Gabriel Scales (Dundee-Crown, 31-15), Giovanni Cassioppi (Hononegah, 32-11), Moises Rivera (Waukegan, 22-2): A deep, talented and tournament tested group welcomes three entries from the MSL, including the two-time regional champ Ramirez from Wheeling, who earned a first-round bye along with Frezza, Harrier and Priola.

152 - Jake Cysewski (Barrington, 37-8), Adam Kemp (Fremd, 24-12), Carlos Montiel (Wheeling, 39-9), Jack Damenti (Libertyville, 35-3), David Ferrante (Huntley, 23-2), Jacob Sabella (Jacobs, 33-9), DJ Chisum (Zion-Benton, 36-10), Steven Weathers, (Highland Park, 32-2): There aren't enough advancement spots available for this talent-laden weight class, which will likely see a rematch from the MSL semifinals in Cysewski vs. Kemp. The Broncos' senior won 1-0, then went on to earn his first MSL crown, followed up by another triumph at the regional. Nearly everyone in this field has been tested by a rugged weekend schedule while many have competed against several commons opponents along the way.

170 - Andrew Lara (Wheeling, 23-9), Jake Meyer (Barrington, 31-9), Jack Pontarelli (Buffalo Grove, 22-15), Logan Kvein (Mundelein, 32-10), Nikita Nepomnyashchiy (Stevenson, 15-1), Loren Strickland (Jacobs, 31-8), Alex Burns (Deerfield, 34-12), Josh Goldberg (Lake Zurich, 29-14), Jaden Glauser (McHenry, 38-0): With the addition of the super freshman, Glauser, and the return of Nepomnyashchiy from injury, this is one loaded weight class.

Fun final

285 - No. 1 Anthony Cassioppi (Hononegah, 41-0) vs. No. 6 Zach Nemec (Fremd, 35-1): Both face some roadblocks, but if all goes to plan, the Vikings senior will have his chance to avenge his lone defeat of the season. "Zach was a little too passive in that match, so to know that he's opened up his attack, and is really going after his opponents bodes well should he meet (Cassippi) again," says Fremd coach Dan Ruettiger. "He's not your typical big man - he has quick, fast feet and tremendous mat awareness, plus a ton of pins (26) and takedowns (70) this season as well.

Class 3A at ConantWhen: 4:30 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. Saturday (3 p.m. finals)

Conant finally erased two years of bad news at regionals when it got by MSL rival Prospect last weekend to win the team title at Streamwood. Chad Hay's team sent 12 of 14 into the Cougars' own sectional and on their way to a 29- point victory (215.5-184.5) over the Knights.

"Prospect came to wrestle and they pushed us hard, but it forced our guys to step it up, which is always a good thing, especially heading into this weekend," said Hay.

Hay likes the draws of Alex Giuliano (113, 26-8), Tyler Futris (126, 29-5), Nicky Amato (132, 24-6), Cormac Kane (160, 19-5), Eric Hominac (170, 29-6) and Lee Fuller (182, 15-3) are in the their respective brackets, but he cautions by adding, "All of our guys are going to need to reach down and give it even more than last weekend in order to advance, and stay with it when we get ready for dual-team sectionals against Notre Dame in two weeks."

Last year at about this time, the Rolling Meadows trio of Jackson Kohlberg (34-3), Liam Collins (138) and Michael Womeldorf (152, 21-3) were eager to put the 2016 season behind them for good. Kohlberg was on the disabled list with a season-ending injury, while both Collins and Womeldorf lost their state qualifying matches at this same venue. All three seniors won regional titles last week at Streamwood, and according to coach John Bassler, his big three is ready to go this weekend.

"They will all have some challenges, but each is an intense competitor, so they'll find a way to win when they need to," said Bassler, who also has high hopes for Manny Luna at 160.

Kohlberg enters as the No. 4-rated 126-pounder and is on course to meet top-rated Anthony Madrigal (Oak Park-River Forest, 31-2) in Saturday's semifinals if the seeds hold. Kohlberg, a four-year veteran, has been nearly flawless all season, dazzling at both the MSL tourney and at regionals last weekend at Streamwood.

Collins (28-6), who recorded the most off-season matches of anyone on the Mustangs' varsity roster, finds himself in one of the deepest, most talented classes here. But he's on the opposite side of the bracket from two of the top athletes in the state, Austin Gomez (Glenbard North, 39-1) and Jaime Hernandez (OPRF, 10-0), who were each 3A state champs last season.

Womeldorf, who missed a few weeks this season with a back injury, is up and running at full speed. He has Angelo Poland (Elgin, 31-6), Chad Reynolds (St. Charles North, 21-9) and Eugene Lee (Maine South, 17-4) standing in his way of a spot in the finals, likely against Anthony Marre (34-7) of Glenbard North.

Prospect is hoping both Alex Koczwara (182) and Matt Wroblewski (220) will win titles. Wroblewski enters the weekend as the No. 2-rated 220-pounder, recording either a pin or a technical fall in all 28 of his victories this season. Koczwara (31-4) is in fine form and stacks up well against the field here.

A trio of Maine West entrants continue to bring a smile upon the face of coach Chris Brassell, who will look to guide Arsalan Afshar (126, 26-10), Jayton Hall (138, 27-9) and Jake Bellizzi (170, 27-9) through. Meanwhile, Leyden senior Shane Dziadosz (138, 26-10) will use the disappointment of falling 1 win short of Champaign last season as his motivation to advance.

A big weight to watch is heavyweight, where a trio of MSL rivals all have a chance of squeezing their way into a top-four spot and trip downstate.

Juniors Anthony Greco (Elk Grove, 24-5) and Ryan Edwards (Hoffman Estates, 20-11) and Prospect sophomore Jose Ramos (15-5) figure to be in the mix in this always unpredictable weight class.

"Ryan has a great chance," said Hoffman Estates coach Tony Ganas. "He's grown so much since last year, and his attitude has been the difference. Before regionals, he was telling the coaching staff he would win the tournament, and although he fell just short, he has the mindset that he can compete with and beat anyone here."

Elk Grove coach Dan Vargas feels (Greco) is one of the best stories the Grens' program has had in recent memory. "Anthony was at 220 last year, but was always thinking about cutting to 195, so I'm not sure he ever felt comfortable at '20," figures Vargas.

Now comfortable at 285, Greco practices head-to-head with the Grens' others sectional qualifier, Dionte Tillman (220, 17-7), and the two have made the most of their time together in the room.

"Both of those guys have really put the work in to get better, and their goal is to make a name for themselves, and Elk Grove wrestling as well," Vargas said.

Must-see match:

Austin Gomez (Glenbard North, 39-1) vs. Jaime Hernandez (OPRF, 10-0): These two will meet in the semifinals this morning in an epic match between the two top-ranked 138-pounders in the state this season. The Panthers' senior will be favored - and likely next weekend as well, when he goes in search of his third consecutive state title and fourth state medal.

Class 2A at WaucondaWhen: 4:30 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. Saturday (3 p.m. finals)

Just two competitors emerged from the Grayslake Central regional last weekend for St. Viator, but the two that did have been the most valuable Lions of the season.

Tony Valentino (285, 32-0) and junior Jake Wolf (170) enter this weekend with different mindsets.

Valentino, a senior bound for Brown University, is favored to win the first sectional crown of his career. The four-year standout has been a key piece in the rebuilding project of coach Jason Churak.

"(Tony) has been all of what I expected, and more," said Churak. "He's been an incredible leader in the room, plus with the way he trains and works to get better. Along with being so humble, he's been an amazing role model for everyone in our program."

Valentino enters this weekend with a wonderful resume, including over 105 career victories, two regional titles and two state appearances.

"All of that is good stuff, but to be honest, there's only one thing that really matters, and that's a state title," said Valentino after he won his first-ever ESCC title two weeks ago.

Coaches in this sectional recognize the talents of the humble Valentino, including Fenton coach, Brian Hastings, whose club won its own regional last weekend.

"Yes, Valentino is the one to beat. He's had a great year and career, plus has plenty of experience from his two trips downstate to go along with the talent his has," said Hastings, whose man at 170, Dylan Butts (28-4) along with Nick Fetzner (Prairie Ridge, 27-7), Devin Parrish (Wauconda, 35-10) and No. 6, Joe Mier (Marengo, 33-1) will be the ones to chase for Wolf.

"Dylan has been at 182 all year and is certified at 170, but we felt his best chance to get downstate was at n'82," said Hastings.

"I like my guy," says Prairie Ridge coach Eric Hunt. "Fetzner has a very difficult style for Butts and has wrestled Mier twice - each one close - but he's an offensive-minded wrestler, so I'm feeling really good about his chances"

Wolf would feed into Mier with a first-round victory. After that, anything is possible.

"Jake is an amazing kid, and one who has just gotten better and better each week," says Churak. "He's a grinder who never stops and won't go away, and at this time of the year, those are the guys who survive."