Class AA sectional previews

This is it. The fastest, most talked about two days of wrestling prior to the state tournament. Sectional wrestling.

Internet bulletin boards are spilling over with talk of anticipated matchups and predictions of finishes --especially the top three at eight venues all over the state, where those fortunate three across 14 weight classes advance to the Class AA state tournament inside Assembly Hall in Champaign.

Area wrestlers will compete at three sites with hopes of getting downstate.

Here's are overview of each:

At Barrington

Timetable: Today 5 p.m. start; Saturday 11 a.m. start and 4 p.m. finals

Can't 'weight' to watch:

119: Jonny Brennan (Prospect, 29-3), Mike Smith (Wheeling, 30-10), Ryan Jauch (Crystal Lake Central, 35-1), Connor Drew (Warren, 33-2), Jason Montemayer (Grant, 23-5), Cameron Shaffer (Lake Zurich, 32-5). Two-time state qualifier (Brennan) could face No. 4 (Jauch) tonight in quarterfinals.

130: Dale Jarosz (Palatine, 32-2), Matt Holmes (Lakes, 35-3), Dillon Pousson (Round Lake, 36-5), Mike Buhr (Crystal Lake Central, 34-5), Gus Green (Highland Park, 26-5), Vince Sabatello (St. Viator, 29-12). Wow, what a group. State medal winner Jarosz lost in OT to Holmes early on, Holmes defeated Pousson in NSC final, and so have Jarosz (1-0) and Buhr (5-4)... and all are ranked in the top 10. Better yet? Jarosz, Buhr and Pousson are on same side of bracket.

152: Ross Grande (Palatine, 38-2), Matt Smith (Wheeling, 28-5), Bobby Vagun (Stevenson, 30-2), Ryan Unrein (Carmel, 28-4), Brad Nardick (Glenbrook North, 31-2), Brendan Barrett (Prairie Ridge, 33-6), Tyler Dempsey (Grant, 24-12). This division goes 7 deep in talent, led by No. 3 (Grande) who fell here a year ago in state qualifying match. Both the Pirates' senior and Vagun will likely meet tonight in second round, while four-time sectional qualifier and two-time state qualifier Smith takes on the role of dark horse on other side of bracket where No. 7 Nardick, two-time ESCC champ Unrein and reigning FVC champ Barrett are. Not for the meek.

215: Bryan Opitz (Fremd, 27-7), Paul Rands (Cary-Grove, 34-3), Vince Nicoline (Round Lake, 34-9), Morgan Sanden (Deerfield, 34-2), Jake Hogan (Libertyville, 33-7), Houston Neals (Warren, 25-3), Dave Monroy (Grant, 25-7). Division is top-heavy with No. 4 Rands and No. 9 Hogan to go along with loads of history within ranks in head-to-head meetings with NSC players throughout.

At Fenton

Timetable: Today 6 p.m. start; Saturday 11 a.m. start, 5 p.m. finals

Can't 'weight' to watch:

103: Bhavik Patel (Leyden, 31-7), Sam Brody (Montini, 35-11), Terry Murphy (Proviso East, 27-4) Terry Ward (Hinsdale Central, 35-7). Leyden senior finally defeated (Murphy) after nine tries in prep career to capture regional title on home mat and help Eagles to first regional title in recent memory. Former LZ competitor Brody is with Patel at top of bracket, while dangerous HC freshman Ward shares bracket space with Murphy on other side.

119: Isaiah Recinos (Leyden, 33-5), Nick Dardanes (Fenwick, 26-3), David Gould (Niles West, 37-1). When No. 3 rated Lillashawn Coleman (OPRF) failed to meet weight last week, the entire field at Leyden burst wide-open. (Recinos) can take full advantage, but only first if the Leyden senior takes care of business in second-round match tonight against three-time SQ Gould.

140: Robert Pechacek (Elk Grove, 33-4), Chris Pack (Maine West, 10-4), Bobby Barnhisel (Fenwick, 38-1), Jon Goldsher (Hinsdale South, 34-6), Mark Griffin (Glenbard South, 38-0). Pechacek-Goldsher first-round match is a good one, with 2007 state medalist Barnhisel awaiting the winner in quarterfinal bout. An almost 100 percent healthy Pack (knee injury) sits just below the aforementioned trio in the bracket and has a little bit easier of a road.

145: Adam Schammert (Leyden, 34-6): Junior is on course to meet No. 7 (Isaiah Gonzalez, 33-6, Montini) in semis if all goes well.

215: Dan Keibler (Leyden, 21-12): Sophomore surprised the field to win regional crown last week, but the draw here is the potential rematch of last week's regional final between No. 1 (Ben Apland, DGS) versus No. 2 (Pat Walker, Glenbard East), who also happens to open against MW senior Josh Gustafson (21-9) tonight.

285: John Burke (Leyden, 32-6), Oscar Herrera (Maine West, 21-8), Garrett Goebel (Montini, 45-1), Chris Brassell (Maine South, 32-4). Nowhere to hide here for Burke, who has nationally ranked and state's best Goebel ahead of him in quarterfinals tonight. Still, it's not a bad place to be in the bracket if defeated.

At Naperville North

Timetable: Today 6 p.m.; Saturday noon start, 6 p.m. finals

Want to save on the high cost of downstate lodging? Go to Naperville North instead. That's where you'll find the unofficial northern Illinois state tournament with the likes of state powers Glenbard North, Neuqua Valley, Wheaton North, West Aurora, Dundee-Crown and St. Charles East all on its guest list.

Can't 'weight' to watch:

112: Patrick Scully (Hoffman Estates, 35-9), James Oster (Lockport, 37-3), Jame Warczynski (Glenbard North, 31-10), Mike DeSario (Lake Park, 33-8), Andy Spanger (Neuqua Valley, 29-8). Tough first-rounder for Scully in Spangler. Scully would like nothing more to avenge early season (12-2) loss to the Neuqua Valley sophomore.

125: Sergio Gomez (Schaumburg, 32-7), Tony Ramos (Glenbard North, 32-1), Josh Zinzer (West Aurora, 28-4), Jake Leibforth (Wheaton North, 37-7). State's best Gomez and No. 5 Zinzer are on the other side of bracket and away from Saxons' senior.

140: Tommy Wadas (Hoffman Estates, 28-11), Eric Terrazas (Wheaton North, 34-3), Danny Monaco (Glenbard North, 38-6), Brian Epp (Neuqua Valley, 29-10). No. 8 (Epp) would be opponent of Wadas in second-round bout tonight who just missed state tourney last season with fourth-place finish at Glenbard North sectional.

145: P.J. Starnes (Schaumburg, 35-3), Vince Ramos (Glenbard North, 38-2), Eric Justice (St. Charles North, 34-2), Nick Proctor (Neuqau Valley, 33-7). MSL champ Starnes is in bottom half of bracket and must find a way to wedge himself in between Nos. 2 and 4, Justice and Proctor, who are there also.

171: Joe Patricelli (Conant, 31-7). Back-to-back MSL and regional championships.

189: Thomas Davidson (Rolling Meadows, 36-3), Mario Gonzales (West Aurora, 19-1), Gordon Kickels (Lemont, 32-1), Mike Lukowski (Dundee-Crown, 34-4), Adam Schaefer (St. Charles East, 37-1). Some say Gonzalez may be the eventual state champ, others say it's either Kickels or Lukowski. Schaefer defeated Lukowski (5-3) for South Elgin regional title, yet it was Davidson who gave the SCE star his only loss (9-4) of the season. Very interesting.

215: Mikal Johnson (Rolling Meadows, 33-7). Has recovered nicely to earn regional crown after falling in MSL final.