Libertyville trio advances at state
CHAMPAIGN - Austin Gomez (32-10) who sprung a big upset when he stunned-then No. 3 Brody Hallin (McHenry) in their regional final, will have another opportunity to make an even bigger splash when he meets No. 4 Lukas Schmerbach (DeKalb, 32-2) in quarterfinal action when Day of the Class 3A state tournament begins at State Farm Center on the campus of the University of Illinois on Friday.
The three-sport star from Libertyville, will be joined in the front draw by teammates Caelan Riley (120, 36-4) and No. 2 Josh Knudten (36-3) as well as the Stevenson duo of Lorenzo Frezza and Cole Rhemrev.
"Austin has amazing athletic ability, he's quick, crafty, and has a lot of poise, and although he doesn't give this sport as much as his other two over the course of the year, he will battle whoever he is up against," said Wildcats coach Dale Eggert.
Riley and Knudten looked sharp in their openers, with Knudten in a terrific spot at the bottom of the 182 bracket to make it all the way through to the finals while Riley, the top seed will meet Sammie Hayes (11-0) of Sandburg.
Rhemrev (38-0) said after claiming his Barrington sectional title last weekend that he felt he deserved serious consideration as the No. 2 seed at 138 and later found out that he was before going out Thursday to validate his lofty status with a rousing technical fall victory over Jacob Lachs (31-13) from Glenbard West.
The Patriots' senior has a date with Owen Dunlap (Marist, 17-2) Friday morning, while Frezza (38-1) smashed his first round opponent to set up a meeting with Lake Park senior Dominick Mallinder (28-5) at 132 pounds.
Patriots senior, Jacob Whiting (37-5) is through at 195, as is Mundelein junior Bryce Durlacher (113, 37-2) who must be at his best when he takes on reigning state champion Jameson Garcia (29-4) from Marmion Academy.
Senior Justin Warmowski (19-4) will look to give Grant fans something to celebrate when he takes on No. 2 Jared Gumila (Plainfield North, 46-3) in his 160-pound second rounder.
Round Lake senior Aidan McCain (36-11) rolled over his 182-pound opponent Ben Bielawski (Downers Grove North), who came into the day with a sparkling 35-4 overall record.
In Class 2A, Anthony Alanis (Grayslake Central, 106, 47-4), Edgar Albino (Antioch, 120, 39-1), Aaron Cramer (170, 46-1) and Matty Jens (182, 46-2), both of Grayslake Central, are one victory away from being on the Grand March guest list Saturday.
"Alanis (24 pins) is having another solid season for himself, and (Cramer, 18 pins) is so smooth on his feet, and really solid on the mat," said Central coach Matt Joseph. "As far as Matty, he's put up a solid resume of wins this season for just being a sophomore."
Jens, who lost to No. 1 Shane Moran (Crystal Lake South) last weekend in a sectional semifinal 3-1, is on a collision course with Moran once again if both win Friday in their respective semifinal bouts.
Jens' hard-fought 5-4 victory over No. 2 Colton Carlisle (Civic Memorial, 40-3) sent him into his next match with Moe Khalil (34-4) of Lemont.