Class AA state wrestling series set to begin
The Class AA state wrestling series begins Saturday at sites around the state with area schools sent to five of those tournaments. Team championships are at stake, and a top-three finish at one of the 14 weight divisions will send that fortunate trio draw closer to the state tournament. Those wrestlers fortunate to survive the anxiety and stress that accompany these one-day regional tournaments will advance to sectionals the following weekend. Team champions march into the Class AA dual-team sectionals of the state series.
Here's a look at the sites which feature area teams:
AT FENTON
When: 9 a.m.
Outlook: Top three advance to Fenton sectional; team champion advances to Leyden dual-team sectional.
The 2007 regional champion York (17-10) is the clear favorite here over eight others, including Maine South, which lost earlier 41-13 to the Dukes. Maine West and Elk Grove reside here as well, with each side having several wrestlers who are capable of advancing to the next week. Two-time MSL champion Robert Pechacek (28-2, 140) has sectional qualifier written all over him, as do Maine West senior Josh Gustafson (15-8), who surprised all en route to a CSL title at 215, and teammates Danny Lowe (135, 23-5) and Chris Pack (140, 8-3).
Weight to watch: 119 (Sean Grappe, Maine West, 25-10; Joe Brewster, Maine South, 30-4; Kevin Larson, Fenton, George Illiopoulos, Addison Trail.
AT GLENBROOK NORTH
When: 9 a.m.
Outlook: Top three advance to: Barrington sectional; team champion advances to Libertyville dual-team sectional. Prospect (12-14) may have caught a bit of a break being sent to this regional and away from potential trouble spots where its MSL rivals were dispatched.
"We feel good about the way we wrestled on the second day of the MSL tournament last weekend, and the guys know if they match or exceed their performances of a week ago, that we could be in good shape both individually and as a team," said Prospect coach Gary McMorrow.
If the Knights' big four (Jonny Brennan, Tyler Rossdeutcher, Matt Boggess and Peter Zintak) repeat their MSL results and capture championship belts while delivering extra points along the way, the Knights will be able to keep the pressure on hopefuls Stevenson (14-10) and the host Spartans (14-0).
The best potential final stands to be at 152 where Stevenson's Bobby Vagun (31-4) is on course to meet the state's No. 5 rated Brad Nardick (27-1) of GBN.
Weights to watch: 125 -- Tyler Rossdeutcher, Prospect, 20-6; David Lamberti, Stevenson, 25-8; Joe Brignon, Vernon Hills, 27-8.
189 -- Peter Zintak, Prospect, 36-1; Bob Kelly, Vernon Hills, 37-5; Morgan Sanden, Deerfield, 28-2.
AT LAKE PARK
When: 9 a.m.
Outlook: Top three advance to Naperville North sectional. Team champion advances to Glenbard North dual-team sectional.
You'll need the help of a ticket broker to get into this potential powder-keg regional on Saturday as nationally-ranked Glenbard North (23-4) takes on Wheaton North (22-5) in what easily is the most heated of all the rivalry matches this weekend.
MSL teams Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg and Conant are all here, as is Lake Park, which has a talented roster that recently finished third at the Upstate Eight tourney.
There are six wrestlers from Glenbard North and Wheaton North who are ranked either Nos. 1 or 2 in the state this week, and several more rated No. 3 through 5.
Those fortunate enough to advance will move on to the state's top-rated sectional this season at Naperville North.
Weights to watch: 145 -- Vince Ramos, Glenbard North, 36-2; Dan Kowalski, Lake Park, 35-2; PJ Starnes, Schaumburg, 34-2.
140 -- Eric Terrazas, Wheaton North, 35-5; Danny Monaco, Glenbard North, 31-3; Tommy Wadas, Hoffman Estates, 26-10.
AT PALATINE
When: 9:30 a.m.
Outlook: Top three advance to Barrington sectional. Team champion advances to Libertyville dual-team sectional.
Off its MSL championship last weekend, Wheeling (21-2) arrives as the pre-tournament favorite among hopefuls Palatine and Lake Zurich. Sprinkled throughout the classes are superb wrestlers, which should keep the competition keen during the day and Wheeling coach Neal Weiner's nerves a bit jumpy.
"Palatine had an excellent second day at our tourney, Lake Zurich looks to be getting back a couple of terrific guys into its lineup, and every team here has a lot to offer," said Weiner, "so we'll need to wrestle our best and use the momentum that we gained last weekend to our advantage."
The expected return of 2007 state medalist Sam Wrobel (171, 7-0, shoulder) is a big deal for the Bears, and not very good news to an already crowded field, which includes Jack Joyce (St. Viator, 30-9), Dan Santoro (Barrington, 28-9), Brad Carmody (Hersey, 25-13), Mike Guzman (Wheeling, 20-10), Kevin Alvarez (Buffalo Grove 22-16) and Ryan Cortez (Palatine, 16-7).
LZ's Dan Pace (33-6, 140), Cameron Schaffer (29-5, 119), Kevin Fanta (125, 25-6) and Wauconda junior, and two-time sectional qualifier Scott Carlson (145) are each serious regional champion contenders.
Weights to watch: 152 -- Ross Grande, Palatine, 34-2; Jamie Zabrin, Buffalo Grove, 31-4; Matt Smith, Wheeling, 26-4.
189 -- Danny Vargas, Wheeling, 32-5; Kyle Stortenbecker, Hersey, 28-13; Wade Self, Lake Zurich, 10-3
AT LEYDEN
When: 9 a.m.
Outlook: Top three advance to Fenton sectional. Team champion advances to Leyden dual-team sectional.
It's the West Suburban Gold champion (Leyden) vs. the West Suburban Silver champion (Oak Park-River Forest) in what appears to be a two-team race for the top prize in this 10-team group.
On the surface, the bulk of the talent is with each of the favorites. However in what promises to be a highly contested battle between both clubs, Fenwick, with three of the best of the best in the state (Nick Dardanes, Chris Dardanes and Billy Barnheisel), and ESCC runner-up St. Patrick will have a lot to say about the final team result.
"OPRF is obviously a very strong team, but Fenwick's big three are going to have a huge impact and Pat's has a couple of kids who may influence the outcome," said Leyden coach Jason Potter.
The Eagles will look to garner as many bonus points as they can via major decision, as well as technical falls and pins, with the hope that each of their nine wrestlers with 22 or more wins this season can achieve that goal.
Weight to watch: 119 -- Lillashawn Coleman (OPRF, 12-1); Nick Dardanes (Fenwick, 30-3); Isaiah Recenos (Leyden, 32-4).
-- Mike Garofola