Wrestling notes: Flavin title latest highlight for St. Charles East
With its super-charged, high-powered lineup which includes a trio of returning state champions and seven returning state qualifiers, St. Charles East has firmly established its No. 1 spot atop the 3A polls heading into the second half of the 2023-24 season.
The Saints recently claimed the big prize at the high profile two-day Don Flavin Invitational in DeKalb, considered by most to be the toughest dual-team tournament in the state.
The Saints big five of Dom Munaretto, Ben Davino, Tyler Guerra, Jaylon Colon and Brody Murray have a combined 144-13 thus far, and have not shown any sign of letting up.
"We've come to count on our big guys, but our second tier guys have made their presence felt when we've needed them to," said Saints coach Jason Potter after his club beat Joliet Catholic in the final at the Don Flavin, two weeks after claiming another top prize at the two-day Dvorak just before the holiday break.
WW South’s Al-Obaidi reaches 100
Perhaps unfairly lost among the wrestling giants in the DuKane Conference, Wheaton Warrenville senior and 2023 state qualifier Sedeeq Al-Obaidi continues to shine for Tigers coach Matt Janosek.
"(He) has improved so much from last year in his neutral position, and with both his variety of attacks and counter offense," said Janosek of the No. 5 rated 175-pounder, who recently recorded his 100th career victory.
Al-Obaidi is 28-1, with 26 of those wins by bonus points. He has recorded 113 take-downs and 59 near falls on the season.
Burburija winning big at CL South:
In 2A news, it's Crystal Lake senior Andy Burburija (19-1, 10 pins) who stands atop the state polls at 285 pounds.
"(His) mindset, and ability to work for pins, has been the biggest improvement this year for Andy,“ said Gators coach Ross Ryan. ”He's always been very strong on his feet, but his approach on top has been a real difference-maker for him."
Burburija, a state qualifier a year ago, is nearly untouchable after the opening whistle, outscoring his opponents 25-1 in the first period, 15-0 in the second period, and 50-1 overall.
Big day at Batavia:
Nationally ranked Gabby Gomez (Glenbard North, 115) and Sydney Perry (Batavia, 155) will headline an outstanding 27-team field this weekend at the Batavia Girls invite.
Gomez and Perry, both No. 1 in the state in their respective weight class, will be joined by several highly rated rivals including Lily Enos (Batavia, 100), Brooklyn Sheaffer (Kaneland, 130) and a marvelous trio from Huntley: Janiah Slaughter (105), Taylor Casey (110) and Aubrie Rohrbacher at 130.
At the same time the girls will compete, on the other end of the Bulldogs athletic complex the annual Clint Arlis boys invite will take place as well with Marmion looking to repeat as champions.
Like conference rival St. Charles East, Batavia can boast its version of a lethal group when coach Ryan Farwell throws out his fantastic quartet of seniors Ino Garcia (120, 10-2), Aidan Huck (138, 23-3), Ben Brown (190, 20-0), and junior Asher Sheldon (215, 26-2).
"Ino and Aidan are both two-time state qualifiers. Ino continues to prove he's one of the best in the state, as does Aidan (both) of who are captains," said Farwell.
"(Asher) is our junior captain, and he put in a tremendous amount of time during the off-season, while Ben Brown came off a successful football season when he was awarded the National Football Foundation (NFF) Chicago Metro Chapter Scholar-Athlete Award.“
All four are currently ranked in the top six in the state, and together have won six individual tournament championships.