Wrestling roundup: Schaumburg claims Lewis crown behind Phelps, Kirchner

The 2024-2025 wrestling season is in full swing, so let's take a look at the tournament action in the area on Saturday.

REX LEWIS TOURNAMENT

Seniors Brady Phelps and Callen Kirchner helped Schaumburg lead from start to finish on its way to lifting the championship at the annual Rex Lewis Tournament at Buffalo Grove.

The Saxons would outlast Glenbrook South (192.5-185.5) to win here for the second time in three years, with Morris (167.0), Lake Park (145.0) and St. Patrick (137.5) rounding out the top five.

"It was a real team effort today. We received some strong performances all throughout the weight divisions," said Saxons coach Mike Levanti.

Kirchner (16-0) would pin his way to the 150-pound title.

"The goal is clearly to reach the state final this season, and nothing else," said Kirchner, twice a state qualifier, who was 34-10 a year ago.

Phelps (13-0), No. 2 in the state at 120 pounds, would defeat Buffalo Grove freshman Sasha Havrylkiv in the 120-pound final with a pin at 5:40 in a tightly contested match.

"When he (Havrylkiv) gets more matches under his belt, he's going to be a handful in the second half of the season," said Phelps of the Bison rookie, who last year was on the under-15 Ukraine National Team.

Fourth-place Lake Park would celebrate a pair of titles from Bryce Mensik (8-0) and Sergio Hernandez (11-2), both in impressive fashion.

Mensik would sandwich a pair of pins around a tech-fall in his semifinal to win at 113 pounds, while Hernandez won his first tourney championship in his prep career at 132 with two tech-falls and a major decision.

"I just missed qualifying to state last year, so getting downstate is a really big goal of mine this year," said Mensik, 31-11 last season.

Class 2A state runner-up Ilia Dvoriannikov (Vernon Hills, 12-1) would repeat here after his 2-1 decision over Van Grasser (11-5) in their 175-pound final.

"I was way too defensive in my final," said Dvoriannikov, the No. 2 rated 165-pounder in the state, who will continue to compete at 175 next weekend at the prestigious 36th Al Dvorak Invite at Harlem High School in Machesney Park.

64th MUDGE-McMORROW INVITE

Class 3A state power Joliet Catholic Academy proved too much for the field at host Prospect High School when the Hilltoppers used five individual champions and terrific depth to amass 271.5 overall points.

Naperville Central (207.5), York (173.0), Prospect (140.0) and Grayslake Central with 127.0 points were the first five in this long running tournament.

Naperville Central, second here a year ago behind Libertyville, claimed a pair of champions from Vince Bern (138, 7-1) and Henry Rydwelski (175) who is now a perfect 17-0 on the year.

York earned four titles, with Frank Nitti leading the way with a dominating effort at 144 pounds.

"I spent a lot of time during the offseason training, competing at as many tournaments as I could, while really working hard at improving the mental part of my game," said Nitti, No. 6 in the state after his 43-11 record last season which earned the junior a trip downstate.

Teammates Mondo Martinelli (126), Jackson Hanselman (150) and Dukes big man Mikey Grazzini (215) would join Nitti atop the podium.

No. 1 Vince DeMarco (13-1) left little doubt he's the No. 1 guy in 2A at 106 pounds when the Grayslake Central sophomore overwhelmed a trio of opponents to claim his second straight title here.

"Being the No. 1 rated man in the state means nothing, but it does make me work harder," said DeMarco, fifth a year ago at state with a dazzling 45-9 record.

Hampshire junior Deegan Kirschke (10-3) used a 8-3 decision over Addison Trail freshman Santiago Trejo-Huerigo to win at 113 pounds with Round Lake heavyweight, and senior, William Cole (16-1) edging Naperville Central senior and 2024 state qualifier William Erbeck, 5-3.

Cole, fourth a year ago at state, is the No. 2 rated 285-pounder behind Belleville East junior Jonathan Rulo, who would defeat Cole at state in the third-place match.

MICKEY MARCHESE MEMORIAL

It was a two-time race all day at the Mickey Marchese Memorial at host Hoffman Estates with Homewood-Flossmoor staying far enough ahead of Wheeling to win the team trophy with 278.5 pounds — 63.5 more than the Wildcats.

Mundelein was third (139.5) after winning it all last season, with Plainfield East (134.0) and Lane Tech (132.0) next.

The champion Vikings captured six individual titles, while Kevin Hernandez (Mundelein, 13-2) is now a two-time champion after his dominating effort at 165 pounds.

South Elgin freshman Nick Dilallo kept his record perfect at 14-0 following his 113-pound title.

MEJOE HERNANDEZ GIRLS INVITE

Huntley ran away from the 25-team field at Maine East on Saturday to win the Mejoe Hernandez tourney in Park Ridge.

The Red Raiders received championship efforts from Aubrie Rohrbacher (130, 15-2) and Grecia Garcia (135, 10-3) to help their club register 159.0 points, 35 more than runner-up West Chicago, who would see Brissia Bucio (8-0) win it all at 105 pounds.

Round Lake star RIley Kongkaeow (16-0) won her second consecutive tournament at 100 pounds.

Danai Kostarelou (Maine South, 190), Ryann Miller (Burlington Central, 170) and Brithany Mondragon (Addison Trail 120, 11-1) would earn titles at their respective weight divisions.