Marmion makes an immediate impact
The wrestling season is still in its infancy, and Marmion is already making its presence felt.
The Cadets captured the 10-team title at Bloom Trail last weekend, and Geneva discovered the hard way that Marmion is on the cusp of cracking various state polls.
Seven Marmion athletes recorded falls against Geneva in the teams' dual meet Tuesday in Aurora; the Cadets won for the third time against a lone defeat with the 51-20 victory.
"We have done very well," said Marmion coach Dean Branstetter.
Returning sectional qualifier Pat Greco is rapidly moving up the individual state charts at 135 pounds as the senior improved to 11-1 on the season with a pin against the Vikings.
Robert Cesario is approaching double-digit win totals at 119 pounds, and the Cadets' victory over Geneva was accomplished with contributions from throughout the lineup.
Eddie Breen (112 pounds), Dan Duefel (125), Matt Grange (130), Joe Gregorio (140), Elliott Guerrero (189) and Andy Hernandez (215) ended their matches early against Geneva to secure the victory.
"They beat us pretty good," said Geneva coach Tom Chernich. "They're tough."
The Cadets' rise to area prominence is even more noteworthy considering one of its top wrestlers, sophomore returning sectional qualifier Nico Jimenez, is still out with a back injury incurred during the football season.
"We hope to get him back sometime in January," Branstetter said of his prized 171-pounder.
Saints looking good:ŒSt. Charles East is experiencing a revival of fortunes as the Saints are currently ranked No. 24 in the Illinois Matmen state poll.
The Saints began the season with an impressive fourth-place finish at the highly regarded Conant Invitational, and St. Charles East more than held its own at the equally demanding Wheaton Warrenville South Mega Duals last Saturday.
The Saints typically are matched against area power West Aurora at the eight-team tournament in early round action, but the coaches' decisions not to combat one another left certain St. Chares East wrestlers wondering what might have been.
"We were of the mindset (going in) that we were going to wrestle West Aurora," said St. Charles East reigning conference champion Adam Schaefer. "I thought that we could hang with them much better than in years past."
Schaefer was mentally psyched to face West Aurora junior standout Mario Gonzalez, one of the state favorites at 189 pounds.
"I was really looking forward to wrestling a high-ranked opponent," said Schaefer. "I wanted a chance to get my name out there. I was really disappointed that I didn't get to wrestle him."
The Saints had decisive wins over Naperville Central and WW South to offset a 9-point loss to Lockport, which surprised West Aurora in the opening-round action.
Blackhawks ranked 11th:ŒWest Aurora needed an equipment violation against a Hononegah wrestler to secure its lone victory at the Mega Duals, but there is little need for sympathy.
The Blackhawks are No. 11 in the Matmen state poll and boast five wrestlers who made the most recent inclusion in the individual state rankings.
The Blackhawks dismantled Naperville Central 66-11 on the eve before the Mega Duals, but Lockport ended their undefeated season with a 39-25 victory in first round action at WW South.
"We came out flat," said West Aurora coach Mike DiNovo.
Bulldogs compete at NIU:ŒBatavia had a whirlwind week as the squad had the privilege of wrestling DeKalb at Northern Illinois' Convocation Center, site of the team Elite Eight, as the undercard to the NIU dual meet against Northwestern last Friday.
"We had to give up a home meet," said Batavia coach Tom Arlis. "But when they asked us if we would be interested we said 'yes' right away."
The Bulldogs stand at 5-5 on the season after defeating Naperville North last weekend at a quadrangular that also featured Lyons Township and three-time defending Class AA state champion Sandburg.
Arlis' son, Logan, continues to impress at 103 and 112 pounds for Batavia, while Andrew Rudd is in the midst of a breakout season.
The first-year varsity wrestler leads the team with eight pins at 152 pounds.
"Andrew Rudd is wrestling extremely well," said Arlis.
The Arlis wrestling bloodlines are not confined to high school as former state qualifier Clint Arlis, a redshirt sophomore at Illinois, has cracked the starting lineup for the Illini.
Matmen rankings:ŒOf the nine area athletes included in the Illinois Matmen rankings, West Aurora is far and away the area leader.
Josh Zinzer is No. 4 at 125 pounds, while heavyweight Juan Perez and Gonzalez are fifth and sixth, respectively. Tanner Andrews (119 pounds) and Dan Carey (215) round out the Blackhawks' quintet.
Arlis checks in at No. 7 at 103 pounds; Kaneland senior Jeff Stralka is eighth at 119 pounds, while Greco and St. Charles North senior Lin Stacey make the list at 135 and 152.