Hersey claims 2nd straight MSL crown; Warren rules Lake County meet

Hersey entered the second day of the MSL Conference Wrestling Tournament with a narrow 3.5-point lead over Prospect ahead of the action at William Perry Gymnasium.

And despite some constant pressure from its division rivals all throughout, the Huskies would lift its second consecutive league trophy Saturday afternoon at host Conant High School.

As its been all season long, the Huskies' depth proved to be the difference with individual championships from Danny Lehman (106, 31-7), Anthony Cambria (182, 32-11) and big man Oleg Simakov (285, 33-8), helping their club score 266.5 overall points, 23.0 more than Prospect.

Fremd (198.0), which grabbed three titles, finished third ahead of Schaumburg (182.0) and MSL West champion Barrington, which tallied 179.5.

"One of our goals was to come back and win a second straight conference title after not doing so in such a long time. But one thing we really want this season is to win a regional title, and qualify for dual-team sectionals, and a place downstate," said Simakov, who was third here a year ago behind champion Kehinde Akintunde (Hoffman Estates, 14-1) whom he pinned for his title.

"Winning the conference is always important to us, and despite missing a couple of our starters (we) went out and did our best to win this thing. (But what) has been, and will continue to be getting back to the dual-team state finals, and this time winning it all," offered Prospect senior Will Baysingar (132, 41-1), No. 2 in the state, 14th in the nation, who is now a three-time MSL champion.

Third place Schaumburg would celebrate a trio of titles from its big three of Brady Phelps (33-0), Caden Kirchner (120, 30-5) and Callen Kirchner (152, 33-2) all of whom are 2022 state qualifiers.

"If we're healthy, there's no reason why we cannot compete for the team title at the Streamwood regional," said Phelps, No. 4 in the state, and now a perfect 33-0 on the season.

Ethan Gosz (126, 33-1) and Jake Crandall (145, 25-9) dominated in their respective weight divisions for Fremd, with Gosz, No. 3 in the state, claiming his second straight here.

No. 1 Ethan Stiles (Conant, 22-0), who in several national rankings is the No. 4 rated 160-pounder, easily won his second MSL title in his home gym.

"All of my attention is toward winning another state title, getting ready to wrestle next year at Nebraska, and doing all that I can in order to the world team," said Stiles.

Jon Fier (170, 31-6) won his first league title, as did Prospect freshman Jaxson Penovich (36-4) at 195, and Elk Grove sophomore Dylan Berkowitz (25-4) who entered as the No. 3 seed at 220 pounds.

Lake County meet:

Libertyville, Stevenson and Antioch have had a stranglehold of the conference trophy in recent history - but Saturday afternoon at host Libertyville, it was Warren that won it all for the first time in four years.

Freshman Aaron Stewart (152, 27-1) gave the Blue Devils its lone individual title of the tournament, but eight of his teammates took home top three medals to help the club outscore Libertyville 212.0-204.0 and third place Stevenson (171.5) which celebrated championship efforts from the No. 2 man in the state, Lorenzo Frezza (138, 32-0) and teammate Thomas Schoolman (28-3) at 160 pounds, who each won here last season.

"Our program was struggling a little bit the last couple of years, but a lot of hard work, dedication and a commitment to getting better helped turn us around. (And) although there's a lot of wrestling ahead of us, I can say that I am very proud of what the guys accomplished over these two days of wrestling," said Blue Devils coach Brad Janecek, who just last season saw his men finish a distant ninth overall at this Lake County Invite.

The home side would give its fans a pair of titles to cheer, the first coming from Matt Kubas (170, 32-5) and the next by sophomore Owen McGrory (36-5) who pinned his way to the crown at 220.

"We knew this tournament would be a close one. We'll have another chance at Warren at regionals," said Kubas.

Grayslake Central led the entire 16-team field with three championship rings, all coming from the Rams triple threat of Anthony Alanis (106, 34-1), Matty Jens (182, 22-0) and Aaron Cramer (195, 28-0) each of whom were 2A state runners-up a year ago, and serious contenders to reach the state final match four weeks.

"All of my work during the offseason, and this season (is) about getting back downstate, and winning it all, and I know for Matty, and Aaron (it's) the same thing for them also," says Alanis, who now has 13 pins on the season after recording two this weekend.

Lake Zurich senior Scott Busse (36-2) and the No. 6 rated 145-pounder in the state won his first league title of his career following his hard fought 2-1 decision over Antioch senior Caleb Nobiling, now 27-8.

" (Nobiling) was a very good opponent, so I had to grind (that) one out to finally earn my first conference title," said Busse, a state qualifier a year ago.

Antioch junior Edgar Albino (24-3), third at the 2A state tournament last season, dominated his three opponents at 132 en route to his first league title with a pair of pins, and major decision victory in his final.

"I still think about falling short at state last year, so it's been what's motivated me this year to get back there and win it all," said Albino.

Mundelein captured a pair of lower weight titles: Bryce Durlacher (120, 23-2) his second of his career, and teammate Benji Albavera (24-7) at 126.

"Benji and I work together everyday in the room, so I am really happy for him today," said Durlacher, fifth a year ago at state, and currently No. 9 in the state polls.

Grayson Kongkaeow (113) and sophomore heavyweight William Cole (25-6) gave the Round Lake faithful plenty to cheer about when the Panthers dynamic duo collected the top prize in their weight divisions.

"I had a lot to prove this weekend to myself and others, so I am really proud of winning this conference title," said Kongkaeow (28-10) who was a 2022 sectional qualifier.

Cole came in as the No. 3 seed at 285, and used a hard fought 4-1 decision over No. 2 seed Ivan Hernandez (Grant, 23-13) to advance into his final against Grayslake North senior Dallas Dinkla, in which he used a third period reversal to record a 2-0 victory.

"William was behind a senior last year, and has put a lot of work into getting himself to compete at the varsity level. So we're all very proud of this championship he won today," said Round Lake coach Mike Hruska.