Scouting Fox Valley area wrestling regionals
Now it really means something.
It's the most crucial time of the year in wrestling with the first of three straight weeks of high tension competition starting Saturday with area regionals.
The prize at the end of the rainbow - a trip downstate - is what they all are after, so with that said, here's a look at the regional venues area teams figure in.
Class 3A Dundee-Crown
Advancement: Top three individuals go to the Barrington sectional, the team champion heads to McHenry.
Guest list: Cary-Grove, Dundee-Crown, Jacobs, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Lake Zurich, Palatine, Stevenson, McHenry.
Lowdown: With No. 16 Barrington (23-3-0) and No. 18 Stevenson (13-6-0) the strong favorites for the team championship, talk shifts to advancing as many as possible for area clubs Cary-Grove, Jacobs and the host Chargers.
Jacobs' big three of Jake Harrier (132, 31-1), John Ridle (145, 27-6) and Ryan Golnick (195, 26-6) have been 'BIG' - but Harrier has been magnificent.
The only loss the two-time state qualifier has suffered is to No. 2 Dan Pucino (Libertyville) and that was in the semifinals of the Dvorak, where the No. 5 rated junior finished third overall.
"It's been a good season thus far, but you can never be satisfied until you are up on the podium in Champaign," said the 2018 state medal winner.
Cary-Grove junior Charlie Gruen (28-8) has been the Trojans' most consistent man all year long, so both he and Harrier will be the two to watch at 132.
Tim Hayes has revitalized the Dundee-Crown program since taking charge, and the Chargers coach would like nothing more than to see his club earn a seventh consecutive state medal in three weeks.
"This is where it starts, but we're in a very tough regional, with a lot of weight classes with state ranked guys in them," said Hayes.
Hayes feels his four top guys - Gabriel Scales (138, 37-7), Colin Mays (152, 32-10), Jordan Lescaleet (160, 19-8) and Wyatt Griggel (182, 28-13) - have the best chances to advance, with two or three others in the hunt as well.
Scales has already exceeded his 2018 win total of 29, doing so with four top 4 tournament finishes.
Class 3A Glenbard North
Advancement: Top three individuals go to the Conant sectional, the team champion heads to DeKalb.
Guest list: Bartlett, Geneva, Glenbard East, Glenbard North, Glenbard West, Lake Park, St. Charles East, West Chicago, Wheaton North.
Lowdown: Individual results will take a back seat here of sorts with all eyes focused on the St. Charles East/Glenbard North dual if you will.
Glenbard North, Wheaton North and St. Charles East rode roughshod over the competition one week ago at the DuKane Conference tournament, and this same trio is back at it again this weekend.
The Panthers come in as the favorite after they lifted the inaugural DuKane trophy.
"We left a lot of points out (there) at the DuKane, and that's not something you do against a team that is coached by Mark (Hahn) over at North," said Falcons coach Travis Cherry.
Saints coach Jason Potter said at the onset of the DuKane that six individual champions might be enough to overcome the loss of Ben Anderson to season ending shoulder surgery. Although his men went five-for-five, it wasn't enough to jump over Wheaton North for second place honors.
"This regional is extremely difficult, but we'll have to go in with the same mindset as always: win, win with bonus points, and win as often as you can in the consolation brackets to adds points to our overall point total," said Potter.
"We're not only wrestling for the team and ourselves at regionals, but also Ben, who is a great teammate and leader in and out of our room," said Justin Benjamin, who continues to compete at an incredible level at 138 pounds, where he's ranked fifth in the state with a dazzling record of 36-3
Senior Justin Hull (30-4), who at one point was atop the polls at 285, agrees with his teammate Benjamin on what the focus should be in this the most important weekend of the season to date.
"It's tough not having Ben in our lineup, so it means all of us have to step it up to pick up the slack in his absence," said Hull after the Saints big man overwhelmed the DuKane field.
The Bartlett trio of Jack Oliver (113, 31-6), Paul Kearns (126, 27-9) and Jacob Cwenar (182, 182) will look to use the UEC title now on their resume to fuel their postseason.
"Jack is a homegrown guy who came to us without any experience, and made himself into one heck of a wrestler," said Hawks coach John Glorioso. "He's a great leader who just shows up, and just works and works. (He's) a real joy to have in our room."
Class 3A Marmion Academy
Advancement: Top three individuals go to the Bolingbrook sectional, the team champion heads to Sandburg.
Guest list: Batavia, East Aurora, Marmion Academy, Metea Valley, Naperville Central, Naperville North, Waubonsie Valley, West Aurora, Wheaton-Warrenville South.
Lowdown: There are several stories to watch at this high profile regional venue, beginning with the team race between Marmion Academy (18-2-0) and No. 13 Naperville Central at 24-3-0.
One would figure, on paper, that the No. 4 rated Cadets have the edge on No. 13 Central, but a look closer reveals these two clubs are coached by brothers Nate and Noah Fitzenreider.
It's a terrific sidebar story to say the least, but on the mat, where it will be decided, each side has a bevy of state ranked men in their lineup, all capable of adding much desired bonus points, which will likely decide the eventual regional champ.
What cannot be lost in the team race is 'outside' forces - a long list of first rate guys from the other seven teams who are highly capable of taking their fair share of points away from the favorites, beginning with the Batavia duo of Andy Posledni and Justin Major.
The two seniors ended the regular season on a high note by capturing individual titles at the first DuKane Conference tournament. For Posledni it was his first high school crown of his terrific career; Major, his second of this season.
"When you realize this could be the last weekend of your high school career (then) it's important to throw everything you have into this regional in order to advance," said Major (32-6, 152) who has had success at both 152 and 160.
His teammate Posledni (145, 28-8) has used a heartbreaking finish at state a year ago to keep the fires burning all throughout the season.
"Losing in the blood round in Champaign has stayed with me since that 3-2 loss took me out of medal contention, so that's been my motivation going forward," said the Bulldogs star.
Off its recent UEC team championship, West Aurora and several of its men must be kept an eye on, with its super sophomore Dzhabrial Khurshidov (32-10) key figure at 195.
Class 3A Rockford East
Advancement: The top three advance into the Conant sectional. The team champion advances to the McHenry dual-team sectional.
Guest list: Hampshire, Huntley, Auburn, Belvidere North, Guilford, Harlem, Hononegah, Jefferson.
Lowdown: Once state power DeKalb was sent packing and into the South Elgin regional, it immediately made FVC champion and No. 11 Huntley (21-8-0) the clear favorite to win its second straight regional crown.
The Red Raiders have two elite men in its lineup: No. 1 David Ferrante (170, 36-2) and No. 3 Sammy Spencer (126, 34-3).
Lost perhaps in the big trees of 3A teams ever since moving up from 2A is Hampshire, and the best man on Randy Mittys' club is senior Christian Rivero (26-6) at 120.
"Going against big schools and 3A guys is not a big deal to me, (in) fact I enjoy the challenge because it's made me a better wrestler," said Rivero, 22-11 last year, and a sectional qualifier.
"My focus is to get downstate, and this year, as a senior, I've got to put it all on the line in order to reach my goal."
"Christian is an exceptional leader. (His) voice is always present whether in the room, or during competition(s) - and his work ethic and success has been vital in the growth of his younger teammates," said Mitty.
According to Mitty, Rivero has a laundry list of strengths, beginning with his dedication to be better during the offseason and school year, and his ability to make adjustments in both his technique and style.
"His best match of the year was against returning state medal winner Christian Olsen (Crystal Lake South). I still watch the video of that match, and even in defeat (he) showed he's right there with the best."
Class 3A South Elgin
Advancement: Top three individuals go to the Conant sectional, the team champion heads to McHenry.
Guest list: Elgin, Larkin, South Elgin, St. Charles North, Streamwood, Conant, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, DeKalb.
Lowdown: Area clubs are in a tough spot here with one of the best 3A teams in the state, No. 6 DeKalb (22-6), and the likes of MSL powers Conant and Schaumburg.
South Elgin junior Elijah Lopez (160, 26-4) has been a shining example of hard work and dedication on the road to his success. His recent run to an UEC title was his third after claiming the top prize at Fenton and Hoffman Estates.
"There a plenty of reasons for Elijah's success thus far, but No. 1 is his confidence," said his coach Adam Lehnus.
"His confidence in his game plan, and how to execute (it) perfectly has made him so much better," said Lehnus of Lopez, 21-17 a year ago when he just missed advancing to sectionals. "His length and positioning give opponents trouble, and although he's not flashy, he hits his shots and defends even better."
South Elgin's Alex Tornabene (132, 16-12) and Michael Roath (220, 21-13) hope to parlay their recent UEC titles into a spot at the Conant sectional next Friday afternoon.
Class 2A Harvard
Advancement: Top three individuals go to the Antioch sectional, the team champion heads to Wauconda.
Guest list: Crystal Lake South, Crystal Lake Central, Harvard, Marian Central Catholic, Prairie Ridge, Richmond-Burton, Wauconda, Woodstock, Woodstock North.
Lowdown: The 2018 ESCC champion and No. 2 rated Marian Central Catholic (18-0-0) has plenty of pieces in place to be considered the favorite here, but Ross Ryan isn't about to concede anything yet to their rivals.
"MC is clearly the favorite, but I really believe our regional has a chance to be a lot closer than most are anticipating," said the Crystal Lake South coach.
Leading the way at 113 pounds is No. 3 Christian Olsen (Crystal Lake South, 28-1) followed closely by No. 4 Elon Rodriguez (Marian Central Catholic) then No. 9 and No. 10 - Dillon Carlson (Crystal Lake Central) and Uriel Herrera from Harvard.
Gators junior Peyton Timmons (26-2) will be tested by No. 5 Evan Husko (25-5) of Wauconda in what could be the final here, as well as next weekend at sectionals.
Ross is thrilled to finally have his full lineup in place when it really counts. From 182-285, his super-punch of Jimmy Moore, Alex Natrop, Jason Burburijia and Dominic Collado can provide the bonus points needed to stay in the hunt for the big trophy.
Class 2A Rochelle
Advancement: Top three individuals go to the Geneseo sectional, the team champion heads to Sandwich.
Guest List: Burlington Central, Kaneland, Boylan, Freeport, Marengo, Plano, Rochelle, Sycamore.
Lowdown: Reigning state champion and current No. 1 rated Nick Termini (35-0) has been the headline story this season at 145 pounds, and rightly so.
The Old Dominion-bound four-year star is on course to join former teammate Austin Macias in the Burlington Central record books later this month should he win a second straight title.
Zach Collins and Josue Ferro have been in the shadow of Termini, but both have impressed Ashton Brown, in and out of the room, while becoming the type of success stories the Rockets coach is thrilled to talk about.
"Those guys really committed themselves to getting better in the offseason - Josus in the weight room, and in our Spring Wrestling Club to fine tune his wrestling skills, with (Zach) going to a lot of Freestyle and Greco to get his all-around game at a much higher level," said Brown.
Collins entered the sport as a sophomore, so his 17-16 record last season speaks volumes considering his lack of technical and tactical acumen, and start in the 170-pound weight class.
Despite an 8-16 record as a rookie in 2018, Brown feels the experience gained with the big club gave Ferro a big boost in his confidence, showing his results this year.
Ferro wrestled up a weight class (220) on 11 occasions this season, going 10-1, 25-5 overall, while recording 16 pins.
Collins leads the club with 18 pins, and enters into regionals with a 24-11 record.
The BC big men have shined in tournaments loaded with 3A opponents. Collins claimed the top prize at the Leyden Invite to go along with a third-place finish at Niles West, and was fourth at the Batavia invite.
Senior Noah Butzman (220, 22-5), whose already bested his win 2018 win total, offers the best chance for Kaneland to advance into sectionals.
Class 1A Aurora Central Catholic
Advancement: Top three individuals go to the Byron sectional, the team champion heads to Newman Catholic.
Guest list: Aurora Christian, Aurora Central Catholic, Amboy, Mendota, Mooseheart, Ottawa Marquette, Peru St. Bede, Somonak, Yorkville Christian.
Lowdown: Reigning 1A state champion Aurora Christian made its statement of intent two weeks ago when it smashed the competition as the MVC tournament with a near 100 point margin over second place Riverside-Brookfield.
AC, which claimed nine individual titles and 12 medals altogether, will look to replicate these results here for the second consecutive year.
Last season, Cameron Johnson (126) and his mates won 11 regional titles on its way to a 115-point victory over its closest rival.
"We just about have everyone back and healthy for the postseason, and (that) along with nonconference schedule against several 2A and 3A state ranked teams should have us ready for another run at another team championship," said Johnson, already a two-time state champ.
The addition of the two-time 2A state qualifier, Nathan Orosco (120, 29-5), who came over from Hampshire, added yet another state medal winner to an already potent lineup.