Feast of fabulous invites on menu for fans this weekend
After a quiet time on the weekend tournament scene, wrestling fans will have almost too many choices in and around various venues this weekend.
The Rex Lewis (Buffalo Grove), Hawks Invite (Hoffman Estates), Wheeling Invite and the granddaddy of them all - the Dick Mudge at Prospect - all would make TiVo owners happy - if only that option were available to the wrestling faithful.
Here's a look at all four sites:
At Prospect
What: 49th Dick Mudge Memorial Tournament
When: Finals at approximately 5:30 p.m. Saturday
Teams to watch: New entrant Moline joins the 15 returning clubs from last year, including defending champion Mt. Carmel. The Caravan squashed the competition, thanks in part to eventual 112-pound state champion BJ Futrell, who would go undefeated at 42-0. Tourney runner-up York (8-1) will look to use a recent 33-32 win over MSL favorite Wheeling to help motivate the Dukes, who hope to make a run at the big trophy. Upstart Barrington, a surprise top-10 finisher at the Moore-Prettyman two weeks ago, could be in the running.
Individuals to watch: At 103, freshman Adrian Gonzalez (Barrington) and York senior Jack Cooney are state-rated top 10 this week. At 152, Luke Miller (Barrington), Pat Hamill (York) and David Skrzypiec (Mt. Carmel).
Others include Dan Sabatello (St. Viator, 112), Joe Brewster (Maine South, 140), Matt Boggess (Prospect, 145), Dale Lewis (York, 160), Charles Argue (Mt. Carmel, 189) and Chris Brassell (Maine South, 285).
Final word: "We're looking for some of our lesser-known kids to step up and finish the tournament strong," said Barrington coach Al Strobl.
At Buffalo Grove
What: 33rd Rex Lewis Invitational
When: Finals at 4:15 p.m. Saturday
Teams to watch: Tournament has been expanded to 10 teams this year and features no less than four state-ranked teams in Lyons, Glenbard South, Brother Rice and St. Patrick.
Individuals to watch: At 135, Mike Peters (Glenbard South) and Mike Avelar (Brother Rice). At 145, Lucas Nelson (Brother Rice, 2008 state qualifier), Jimmy DiNino (St. Patrick) and Shane Murphy (Lyons). At 171, Kyle Czarnecki (Buffalo Grove) against any other opponent and at 285, Matt Ortega (St. Patrick) and Steve Lester (Carmel).
At Hoffman Estates
What: 31st Hawk Invitational
When: Finals at 4:30 p.m. Saturday
Teams to watch: This one is easy to handicap as Class AA power Crystal Lake Central looks to be the class of this 13-team field which includes defending champion Lincoln-Way Central, Machesney Park Harlem and the host Hawks - all capable of landing several in the evening session medal bouts. With 2008 state qualifiers Trevor Pahlberg (171) and Joey Kielbasa (140) leading the way, CLC has enough firepower up and down its lineup to defeat its AAA opponents.
Individuals to watch: At 103, Trevor Jauch (CLC) vs. Derek Elmore (Harlem). Jauch defeated Elmore in OT here last year. Both top 3 at Class AA and AAA. At 160: Josh Anthony (Harlem), Andrew Petit (HE), Dennis Walsh (Notre Dame) and Kevin Ryan (L-W East). At 171, Pahlberg and Sterlin Hecox (Harlem). Hecox 160 champ last year, Pahlberg 171, each 2008 state qualifiers and rated in top in class 2A and 3A.
At Wheeling
What: Wheeling Memorial Tournament
When: Finals at 2 p.m. Saturday
Teams to watch: Class AAA Sandburg, ranked No. 6 in the state, is the returning champion after running off with the first-place trophy by 58 points over the host Wildcats and Stevenson - which was a distant third. Marmion takes over in this nine-team field for Deerfield. Last year eventual state champions Max Nowry, Jon Morrison and Conrad Polz competed in this tournament.
Individuals to watch: At 125, Morrison and Wheeling sophomore Luke Smith. Three-time state qualifier, Oklahoma State-bound Morrison, ranked No. 2 in the nation by WIN Magazine vs. up-and-coming Smith, who advanced to the state tournament in his rookie season after winning triple crown of conference, regional and sectional titles. Won Moore-Prettyman in first week of the 2008-09 season.
Others include 2008 state qualifiers; Cameron Shaffer (Lake Zurich, 130), Kevin Fanta (Lake Zurich, 135), David Aranda (Wheeling, 140) and Dan Vargas (Wheeling, 189).