Tri-Cities wrestlers making a name for themselves

The end of the two-week winter break marks a critical juncture in the wrestling season.

The month of January is at the epicenter of the sport as weekend tournaments and midweek league dual matches foreshadow the importance of gaining momentum as the conference and postseason loom.

With Internet proliferation creating an entirely new dynamic on the prep athletic scene with its dual emphasis upon specialization and individual accomplishment, wrestling is hardly immune from the increased exposure from traditional media outlets.

The wrestling Web site Illinoismatmen.com has carved its own niche as an authoritative source on the sport, and the area is well-represented by its well-dissected individual and team rankings.

St. Charles East is 10-4 overall and 3-1 in Upstate Eight Conference dual meets; coach Steve Smerz, whose squad attempts its fourth consecutive team title at Glenbard West this weekend, says the site can be a double-edged sword for its ranked athletes.

The Saints' Brandon Rubino (119 pounds), Nick Ruffino (130), Alex Maynard (135) and Nick Scimeca (152) have made the list on the site.

"There is never a comfort level (when ranked)," Smerz said. "When you get put on matmen like that then you have a bull's-eye on your back. Everybody comes at you harder. We saw that at the Palatine tournament. There better not be a comfort level. You make one mistake, and it can cost you a match."

Batavia also has four members listed among the Class 3A top athletes: Logan Arlis (119 pounds), Tyler Patton (135), Augie Watson (145) and Luis Campos (189).

West Aurora has three returning state qualifiers anointed in Nicholas Drendal (119 pounds), Miguel Venecia (125) and Greg Jacquez (140).

Geneva senior Ryan Ward (189 pounds) and St. Charles North sophomore Tim Noverini (130) round out the local ranked wrestlers in the largest division.

In the Class 2A rankings, Marmion, which trails only league rival and defending state champion Montini in the team derby, has eight athletes, headed by freshman sensation Ben Whitford (119 pounds), Pat and Eddie Greco and Nico Jimenez.

Kaneland heavyweight Jimmy Boyle is 21-1 on the year for the Knights; the junior holds the No. 4 slot at 285 pounds.

Charged up: Aurora Central Catholic continues to build its nascent program in the metaphorically shark-infested waters of the Suburban Christian Conference.

The Chargers suffered a grievous blow when Jacquez, its lone state qualifier last season, transferred to West Aurora last summer.

"Losing Jacquez hurt us, but it also helped us," Aurora Central coach Eric Fulara said. "We cried a little bit, and then we moved on."

Almost completely devoid of upperclassmen, the Chargers' program has had limited success this winter with dual-meet wins over North Boone and Westmont.

"I'm not worried about wins and losses," Fulara said. "We have to work; nothing will come easy."

None of the Chargers' wrestlers has a winning record, but Sean Callahan, the sole senior starter at 215 pounds, is the most likely candidate to break through.

Fulara, however, has a plan to forge respectability.

"We're in the process of building a true freshman squad (for underclass duals)," Fulara said. "Getting the foundation for next year (is the goal). We are trying to teach them how to wrestle."

Happy to host: Geneva and Batavia host major tournaments in successive weekends beginning this Saturday.

Geneva, after a light holiday schedule, has a murderous three-day run with Western Sun Conference heavyweights Yorkville and Sycamore preceding the 19-team invitational.

The Vikings are 9-4 overall in dual matches and 3-1 in the final year of the league. Ward has been the unquestioned leader of the squad this year at 189 pounds.

"He is really good on his feet, really strong and really well conditioned," Geneva coach Tom Chernich said.

The Vikings' Keith Reilly and Nick Bradberry also bear watching at their tournament on Saturday. Chernich said Marmion and Hinsdale Central are the two teams to watch.

Batavia and West Aurora resume their long-standing relationship on Saturday as the Blackhawks join Marist and Romeoville for the Bulldogs' annual quadrangular.

Looks like another Illini: Batavia coach Tom Arlis' eldest son Clint, a three-time state qualifier at Batavia, is a fifth-year starter for the University of Illinois' wrestling team.

Mario Gonzalez, the Blackhawks' Class 3A 189-pound state champion last year, is one of Illinois' top recruits - though sitting out this year.

Coach Arlis, an Illinois graduate who has never disguised his desire for elite homegrown wrestlers competing at the state Big Ten university, is delighted with the possibilities down the road.

It appears a mere formality that Logan Arlis will follow his brother to Champaign.

"It would be great to see Logan and Mario as teammates," coach Arlis said. "I think Mario is finding out what college wrestling is all about (as he redshirts). He's going to be a big factor for them in the future."