Wrestling roundup: Schaumburg girls take second at 40-team Hawk invite; West Aurora, Wheaton North shine at Larkin

Three weeks ago both Schaumburg and Lincoln-Way co-op would thrill the crowd at the first girls wrestling dual-team state tournament at host Hoffman Estates High School when a pin in the final match gave Lincoln-Way a 40-38 victory.

It was more of the same Saturday afternoon back inside the Hoffman Estates gym from these two state powers -- this time before a big crowd at the 40-team Hawks Girls Invite.

Matt Gruszkas' club from Schaumburg stayed close to their rivals, falling just short, 255.5.-247.0.

"(Lincoln-Way) is a gritty, tough opponent, and in the end, we just didn't have enough to win this great tournament," said Gruszka, whose Saxons led after the first day, and drew within 248.5-247.0 at one time until the eventual champs slowly pulled away.

Glenbard West and the tourney host Hawks were third with 164.5 overall points, followed closely by Lockport with 162.0 points.

This was the last mega-event before conference tournaments next weekend come in advance of regionals. And with an all-star cast filled with several No. 1 wrestlers in the state, and dozens of Nos. 2, 3 and 4 rated wrestlers, the weight divisions were a treat to watch.

Hoffman Estates senior Sophia Bell (27-1), ranked No. 3 at 130 pounds, turned in a magnificent two-day performance to win one final regular season title in her home gym.

"(It's) that 'go-time' of the year, and you have to put everything into each day in the room, and competitions," said Bell, a three-time state qualifier, and state runner-up a year ago to Hononegah senior Angelina Cassioppi, who would defeat No. 4 Emma Engels (30-3) in a hard-fought 3-1 final at 120 pounds.

Cassioppi, who will look to win a fourth consecutive state title in late February, was one of five top-rated wrestlers who would defeat someone from the area.

Harlee Hiller (Loyola Academy) pinned three-time state qualifier, No. 3 Victoria Macias (23-6) from Burlington Central in the 115-pound final, while Vandalia senior Sophia Bowers (25-0) recorded a pin over No. 4 Gianna Arzer (31-4) of Grayslake Central.

Nationally ranked Claudia Heeney (Lockport, 31-2) earned her 100th career victory after a 9-3 decision over No. 4 Abigail Ji (Hoffman Estates, 27-5) in a contest that was much closer than the final score.

No. 1 Alisha Tucker (Plainfield Central, 13-1) had all she could handle from No. 2 Ryann Miller (Burlington Central, 26-1) during a see-saw affair that ended with Tucker recording a pin at 4:46.

No. 1 Madeline Hope Zerafa-Lazar (33-0) pinned her way to the 145-pound title, including a pin in just 27 seconds to earn her top prize.

"Everything has to be done with a lot of hard work and effort," said Zerafa-Lazar, second at state a year ago at 140, about wrestling at this important time of year.

No. 2 sophomore Nadii Shymkiv (17-0) stayed perfect on the season following a terrific two days at 105, which ended with a 4-0 decision over No. 7 Blair Glennan (8-2) who last year claimed the first state medal in the program at Newman Central Catholic.

"I just went out there and worked as hard as I could," said Shymkiv, third a year ago at state for Glenbard East.

Glenbard West freshman Khloe Perez (25-0) appears ready to follow in the footsteps of her older sister Alycia who went undefeated at 35-0 to win the 100-pound state title.

"This is just my first year of wrestling, but I have a lot of inspiration from Alycia to be the best that I can," said the younger Perez, No. 4 in the state.

No. 4 Nadia Razzak (Schaumburg, 33-3) was sensational at 190 pounds cruising to her title after a 7-0 decision over Sophie Kellner (31-8) from Lockport.

"A lot of the improvement from Nadia has come with her being so much more consistent this season," said Gruszka,of his junior.

Ewa Krupa (Conant, 29-4) registered an important championship trophy at 140 pounds following her pin of Maria Green (Glenbard East) at 4:47.

"Winning (here) will help give Ewa the kind of confidence she will need during the last month of the season," said Cougars coach Brad Bessemer.

Larkin Invite

It was all West Aurora and Wheaton North at the Larkin boys invite on Saturday.

Blackhawks junior Dayne Serio (36-1) would lead the way at 165 pounds, one of six from the tourney champions to claim first place honors to help their club earn 300 points, 20 more than second-place Wheaton North.

Falcons star Thomas Fulton (26-3) helped his club to four individual titles.

Buffalo Grove was third overall with 151.0, with freshman Sasha Havrylkiv (113, 22-1) and teammate Mykola Shamray (120, 28-4) cruising to their titles.

Burlington Central’s Austin Lee (24-7) was the 132-pound champion, while Leyden junior Erick Worwa (25-2) won his second consecutive major title in as many weeks at 215.

Class 1A state runner-up Jaylen Torres (17-1), No. 3 in the state, pinned his way to the 285-pound crown for St. Francis.

Illini Classic

The biggest and best boys tournament in the far southside suburb was at host Lincoln-Way Central where no less than a dozen state-ranked teams, plus California power Clover North, were on hand for the annual Illini Classic.

At the end of two days, No. 1 Marist held off Clovis North (274-255) and third place St. Charles East with 199.5 points.

Yorkville (193.5) and Carl Sandburg (178) were fourth and fifth, respectively.

No. 1 Dom Munaretto (39-1) continues to dominate at 120 pounds with a blistering effort over his rivals.

No. 2 Max Mukhamedaliyev (Hersey, 32-5) was beaten by No. 4 Donaven Allen (Marist, 18-5) in their 144-pound final, as was Donoven Rousauer (York, 31-6) who lost in his 150-pound final to Justus Heeg (35-3) from Providence Catholic.

Rousauers' teammate Luke Chrisse (31-6) won it all at 215.

In a battle between a pair of No. 1s, Will Denny (Marist 30-1) No. 1 at 157 would defeat No. 1 (165) Anthony Gutierrez (St. Charles East, 32-6) in their 165-pound final.

Elijah Garza (Hersey, 29-8) would defeat No. 6 Griff Powell (Lyons Township) and No. 5 Shawn Kogan (Stevenson) on his way to the 132-pound final where he lost to No. 2 George Marinopoulos (28-5) in an 2-1 ultimate tie-breaker contest.