Scouting the Fox Valley Conference wrestling tournament
Host: Huntley
When: Friday 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. (finals 1:30 p.m.)
Storyline: Can Crystal Lake Central win its 5th consecutive FVC title this weekend in Huntley? The Tigers are a pedestrian 10-10 club, following their second-place finish at the Class 2A tournament last year, but early-season injuries, and a recent bout of skin issues, coupled with the fact Central lost 3 state champs from its lineup to graduation gives others, such as crosstown rival South, Grayslake North, Cary-Grove and McHenry the opportunity to close the gap in what appears will be a spirited chase for the big team trophy.
“I think it’s going to be an exciting weekend, unlike the past (few) were Central has just run away from the field,” offered first-year head coach Ryan Ludwig of Cary-Grove. “There’s 4-5 teams that will be right there in the mix in the end, and it’s going to come down to your top guys coming through with bonus points, and your other guys having success in the back and getting as many as you can to medal.”
“When I sat down and started putting together records and stats, I began to get excited as well for guys like (Mike) Underwood, Matt (Fina), (Garret) Glueck, Pat O’Malley, and of course, Michael Cullen, and for our chances also so we’re really looking forward to the tournament.”
The FVC, which is quietly making believers out of those outside of the area, currently has two clubs ranked in the Top 25 in Class 3A (McHenry and Crystal Lake South) and another two in 2A with Central (No. 12) and Grayslake North (No. 16).
McHenry won the Fox Division title, and set a program record with 20 dual-meet victories.
The league is also home to a handful of stars who have the potential to climb atop the podium in Champaign in 4 weeks when the state tournament commences.
Weight watching: 106 — Michael Cullen (Cary-Grove, 31-1) vs. Austin Ryan (Jacobs, 28-3) Part No. 2. The freshman Cullen has burst onto the scene to help tip the scales in favor of the Trojans at the lower weights each and every time, including near flawless efforts at the Glenbrook South and Sycamore tournaments, and a recent 9-4 decision over Ryan, which makes a potential rematch in the final Saturday night a must-see. Needless to say, the 2011 state qualifier from Jacobs will be anxious to be across from his rival in this second meeting.
152 — Tom Gerszewski (Crystal Lake South, 29-1), Jason Fugiel (Crystal Lake Central), Dylan Hay (Grayslake North, 25-6), Jimmy Schanmier (Dundee-Crown, 22-11). If Hay stays here, then this group has three in the top 5, with the Gators’ Gerszewski currently No. 2 at 3A, and Fugiel, No. 1 at 2A each looking to trump the other en route to the crown. Gerszewski, simply sensational after earning a trip downstate last season, beat Fugiel 3-2 earlier in the semis of the Dvorak, which likely will motivate the 2011 state runner-up this weekend.
138 — Clayton Lutzow (Crystal Lake Central), Nick Peters (Crystal Lake South, 27-5), John Walker (Huntley, 27-6), Sean Keever (Grayslake Central, 23-7), Matt Fina (Cary-Grove, 21-13), Nick Brown (Hampshire, 22-12), Cody Muscat (Dundee-Crown, 18-6), Wade Tardy (McHenry, 23-4). Everybody pile on the No. 1 guy in the state will be the battle cry in perhaps the deepest, and most talented weight division here this weekend. Lutzow, the Dvorak champ, hasn’t wrestled any on the long list, but the Red Raiders’ Walker is sparkling 9-1 in the FVC this season, making him one to watch.
182 — Josh Symbal (Huntley, 30-2), Jimmy Prince (Grayslake Central, 30-2), Jimmy Kuczynski (Dundee-Crown, 29-5). Symbal, the affable senior captain from Huntley, is likely to meet one of the best in 2A (Prince) Saturday night in what will be one of the marquee matches of the tournament. No. 4 at 3A, Symbal could use a victory over the No. 5 (2A) Prince as high octane fuel to help propel him to become the first medalist in Red Raiders’ history.
Bonus footage: 195 — Gage Harrah (Crystal Lake Central), Joey Valdivia (Grayslake Central) 1 vs. 2 (again). Last year, Harrah defeated Valdivia in the championship match at 181 pounds. The nation’s fifth-rated (Intermat Magazine) 195-pounder is the overwhelming favorite to win a state title, and is as equally dominating as Schaumburg’s Josh Marchok (31-0), who also is on pace to capture his second consecutive state crown.
126 — Zach Synon (Prairie Ridge, 31-0) vs. Nick Gil (Crystal Lake South, 31-4). If there was ever a chance for the sophomore Gil to stun the wrestling world, this might be it. The young Gators’ star can use a 3-0 loss as his inspiration, or the opportunity to upset the No. 2 rated 3A senior as another.
Trivia: The aforementioned Harrah, No. 5 in the nation according to Intermat Magazine, is on course to win his 4th individual FVC crown, while Nick Fontanetta (Crystal Lake South) and Fugiel are in search for their third overall.