Wheeling's Smith among first-day surprises

The first day of the Class AA sectionals Friday focused on some of the state's elite wrestlers at Barrington -- plus several surprises.

Grant 103-pounder Lee Munster, a 2007 state champion, Wheeling senior Max Nowry, and McHenry heavyweight Jordan Walsh were all part of the "wow" factor for the big crowd, while several Mid-Suburban League wrestlers added some tension and excitement that should carry into today's semifinals that begin at 11 a.m.

Wrestle-back bouts follow the semifinals, with the finals at 4 p.m. The top three wrestlers in all 14 weight classes earn berths in Champaign on Friday.

Wheeling senior Matt Smith (30-5), perhaps unfairly an afterthought in a rugged 152-pound weight class behind the likes of Ross Grande (Palatine), Bobby Vagun (Stevenson), Ryan Unrein (Carmel) and Glenbrook North senior Brad Nardick, put together back-to-back victories to advance into the semifinals.

Smith will meet Unrein (29-4), who stunned the state-ranked Nardick with a fall in 38 seconds.

"That (win) put me in a good spot for the morning," said Smith, a two-time state qualifier who appears near 100 percent after a shoulder injury he suffered during football season slowed the senior down during his recovery.

Smith, who was in a tight quarterfinal bout against Fox Valley Conference champion Brendan Barrett (33-7) of Prairie Ridge, appeared to be in trouble after being down starting the second period and having Barrett lock him up while looking to ride out the entire period.

"I think his grip may have weakened a little, and that's when I took (advantage) and slipped free and grabbed 2 points with a reversal," Smith said. "It's always a good thing, especially at this time of the year and in a big match like this, to score first."

Grande (39-2) and Vagun (31-2) looked unstoppable on the other side of the bracket and will meet in a semifinal.

While Nowry (36-0) was near perfect to advance against Matt Bystol of Libertyville, Buffalo Grove's Jeff Streu (28-9) upended a tough opponent in Highland Park's Ben Schwartz 8-3 to clear the way for the senior to get one step closer to advancing to the state tournament next weekend.

"No one would deserve it more (than) Jeff to get downstate because of his work ethic and everything he stands for in our program," said BG coach Dave Durlacher.

Walsh (34-1) mashed Tim Haynes of Glenbrook North with a devastating fall at 24 seconds.

On adjacent mats, the Fremd duo of John LaPointe and Bryan Opitz (215) advanced.

LaPointe (22-1) will have a chance to avenge an early-season fall to Walsh in the semifinals, while Opitz (28-7) escaped with a sensational 11-10 win over Warren big man Houston Neals (26-4).

Next for Opitz will be tourney favorite Paul Rands (35-3) of Cary-Grove.

"He (Neals) was a big, athletic guy (to) wrestle, and it was a fun match, but I am gassed," said Opitz, who received 3 penalty points from the referee in a bout which was tied four times. The last deadlock came at 10-10 when Opitz thought he earned 2 points. But he had just enough for the victory.

Palatine senior Dale Jarosz (130) put together a superb six minutes of wrestling to defeat FVC champ Mike Buhr (Crystal Lake Central) 7-1.

Jarosz will face Round Lake's Dillon Pousson (37-5) in the semifinal, with a victory insuring a second-straight trip downstate.

"Buhr was big and long like myself, but I wrestled smart, like my mother always tell me to do, and stayed aggressive, scored first and never hesitated to be aggressive right up and until the end," said Jarosz, who defeated Pousson earlier 1-0.

Prospect's big four -- Peter Zintak (189), Jonny Brennan (119), Tyler Rossdeutcher (125) and Matt Boggess (135) -- advanced to the semifinals.

But teammate Brendon Smith (160) was the Knights' scene-stealer.

The senior surprised Joe Loris (Grant) 5-4 with a late takedown and will face state-ranked Sam Campbell (31-3) of Prairie Ridge.

"Brendon has been going with Justin Milos (2005 state medal-winner) and Zintak and he's really come on of late," said Prospect coach Gary McMorrow. "He didn't panic, and stayed composed, and that was the difference in that match."