Champaign toast for 19
The field was tough, but so were the wrestlers representing Lake County.
Over two days of impressive competition at the Class AA Barrington sectional Friday and Saturday, a total of 19 Lake County area individuals finished in the top three and advanced to the 71st state meet that begins this Friday in Champaign.
Grant sophomore Lee Munster (26-0) will roll into the Assembly Hall on a hot streak.
Munster pinned both of his opponents Saturday to capture the 140-pound championship.
Teammate Izzy Montemayor (37-3) rolled to the 125-pound title with a 17-7 major decision, Grant senior Josh DeLuca also reached state with a second-place finish at 171.
"I'm feeling really good and excited, and I can't wait for state," said Munster, who won the 119-pound crown last year. "I've been training all year for this and I think I can win it, but there are probably 10 guys who are contenders for it."
Round Lake stepped up big-time under the bright lights. The Panthers have three individuals headed downstate -- including second-place finishers Jose Jimenez (103) and Dillon Pousson (130).
Round Lake 215-pounder Vince Nicoline nipped Fremd's Bryan Opitz 8-7 for third place and a trip to Champaign.
Jose (Jimenez) won two matches 2-1 and you have to win those kind of matches to get down there," said Round Lake coach John Jobst. "Pousson is now a two-time state qualifier and he set the school record for pins."
Stevenson's Bobby Vagun (33-2) won the 152-pound title in overtime, while 145-pound teammate Taras Martyniouk edged Antioch's Bobby Wiatr 8-6 in overtime for third place.
"We're thrilled to get two kids downstate who are senior captains and it's a tribute to their hard work," said Stevenson coach Shane Cook. "If Vagun wrestles next week like he did today, we're quite confident he can make some noise down there."
Mundelein had two individuals advance, second-place finishers Eduardo Dominguez and 112 and Adam Avalos at 189.
Lake Zurich had two individuals battle their way to state berths, with runner-up sophomore Cameron Shaffer the big surprise at 119.
Shaffer started the day by upsetting Warren's Connor Drew in the semifinals. Drew then lost to Grant's Jason Montemayor in the wrestlebacks, after which Montemayor lost his third-place match.
Lake Zurich's Kevin Fanta also reached state with a third-place finish at 125.
"They're both very dedicated athletes," said Lake Zurich coach Dan Strickler. "Once we get down to the state tournament the pressure will be off and we'll do real well."
Libertyville's Trey Ayala finished second to Prospect's undefeated Matt Boggess (41-0) at 135, while teammate Matt Bystol cruised to third place at 103 with a 9-0 major decision.
Libertyville's Joey Callen fell 10-7 to Warren's Bryce Howard in a real dogfight for third place at 160.
Libertyville's Logan Miller dropped a 7-5 decision to Carmel's two-time state qualifier Ryan Williams for third at 171, while Libertyville's Tom Nield lost a tough 1-0 decision for third at 285.
"It's always disappointing when a senior comes up short, but the two guys who made it did really well," said Libertyville coach Dale Eggert. "When you get down 2-0 to Boggess after one period, he's going to be tough to come back on. But (Ayala) will do fine next week."
Lakes junior Matt Holmes (38-3) continued to shine with his 3-1 overtime victory against Pousson for first at 130.
"This is probably one of the toughest sectionals in the state with four ranked in the top 10," Holmes said. "I think I can definitely finish in the top six, but I just have to wrestle smart and have confidence in my shots."
Grayslake Central's Ryan Lund will make a return trip to state after recording a pin in 3:02 over Grant's Shelby Temple.
After a 4-3 decision over Grant's Tyler Becker in the semifinals, Wauconda's Scott Carlson reached state with a second-place finish.
Lake Zurich's Anthony Pace lost his third-place match, while Carmel's Ryan Unrein (152) did not advance to state again after dropping his first two bouts Saturday.