Wauconda in record form in own sectional
It was a record-setting day for the host Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon in Class 2A Wauconda individual wrestling sectional.
The Bulldogs advanced a school-record six individuals into the 80th annual state tournament in Champaign to lead a powerful field of wrestlers.
Senior Justin Mitchell (42-6) led the way for Wauconda as his pin in 1:33 gave him the 120-pound championship.
The Bulldogs also got third-place finishes from sophomore Evan Husko (113), sophomore Delon Kanari (126), senior Devin Parrish (170) and senior Mike Turzynski (285). Zac Finn (182) added a fourth-place finish to earn a trip to the State Farm Center beginning on Thursday afternoon.
There was one huge setback for Wauconda as senior and 2016 state qualifier Tyler Stankiewicz sustained a broken left hand in his semifinals match to knock him out of the competition and prevent him from returning downstate.
"We had talked about what we thought we could get through (to state) on our best day, and it was seven or eight guys," said Wauconda coach Mike Buhr. "A couple of things we can't control didn't go our way, and it was just bad timing for the injury to Tyler."
Antioch was the next-best finisher Saturday, as the Sequoits had four individuals advance to state, including top-ranked senior champs George Bessette (28-1 at 220), and Pat Schoenfelder (46-2 at 160).
Antioch will also be represented at state by sophomore runner-up Xavier Sanchez (285) and fourth-place freshman finisher Alex Barbarise (106).
"They wrestled well, we had a good tournament, and it's nice to see everybody winning matches," said Antioch coach Wilbur Borrero. "I told them (Schoenfelder and Bessette) there's only one person that is going to beat you, and that's you. So I'm confident they can do it."
Schoenfelder is headed for Wisconsin-LaCrosse, while Bessette is considering joining the Marines after his high school days are over. Bessette and Schoenfelder are trying to become the first state wrestling champions in Antioch history.
"I'm happy about this win (in the finals), but the big picture is next week and how you do down there," said Bessette, whose father (George Sr.) placed fifth in the state in 1982. "It would be amazing (to both win state), I think my buddy Patrick deserves it more because he's put in more work, and this has been our goal since middle school."
Grayslake North had three individuals qualify for state, including No. 2-ranked senior Joe Arroyo (42-1), who won the 113-pound crown with a pin in 2:46.
The Knights also got a second-place finish from No. 2-ranked 160-pound senior Alex Moran (41-8) and a fourth from 195-pound junior Angel Flores.
Carmel Catholic also had three wrestlers reach state, including 2016 state medalist Riley Palm (15-4) who placed second after taking an injury default in the finals at 126.
The Corsairs also got a third from freshman Christian Valadez at 106, and a fourth from junior Anthony Schaer at 120.
"We brought eight, and we got three out and all three are coming back next year which is a nice thing," said Carmel coach Bob Kuykendall. "He (Palm) just wrestled smart, he wrestled within himself, and he did what he had to do to secure victory."
Vernon Hills will have two individuals heading to state in senior Collin Turley (44-8 at 220) and junior Jesse Goldufsky (42-10 at 113).
"Jesse has gotten a lot more mentally tough as the season went on and he's a different wrestler," said Vernon Hills coach Jerry Miceli. "He (Turley) is just a kid who stays in good position, he's smart, and he had like a .500 record last year so what a difference a year makes."
Grayslake Central sophomore Alex Cramer placed third at 145 while junior teammate Austin Connelly placed fourth at 138 to also reach state.
St. Viator 285-pound senior James Valentino (37-0) remained undefeated with a pin in 2:37 as he prepares for his third trip to the state meet.
Lakes will also have one wrestler headed to the big show as senior Xavian Girona (26-8) placed second at 152.