Strong results for Antioch on Day 1 at Grayslake C.
With seven top-ranked wrestlers competing, the Grayslake Central Class 2A sectional is considered the toughest in the state.
The first day of the two-day tournament saw some great matches Friday. But the real showdowns will take place Saturday beginning with consolation wrestlebacks at 10 a.m.
The semifinals are slated for 11:30 a.m. with first and third-place bouts scheduled for approximately 2:30 p.m.
Under new IHSA rules in Class 2A, the top four wrestlers in each weight class will qualify for the 2012 state meet next weekend in Champaign.
After winning its own regional last weekend, Antioch had a lot of success Friday with 2011 state qualifiers Mike Gussarson (35-5 at 126), George Gonzalez (30-4 at 145), and Zach Epker (10-2 at 170) all reaching the semifinals. Zach Freundt will have to get through the 182-pound wrestlebacks to return to state for the Sequoits.
“It was disappointing that (Mike) Morales lost a 1-point match (at 132), but our kids are wrestling decent,” said Antioch coach Wilbur Borrero, whose team will face St. Patrick in the Woodstock team sectional Feb. 21. “But it’s all about getting down to the state tournament, and who knows what will happen down there?”
Wauconda has three wrestlers aiming for return trips to state starting with 120-pounder Devin Tortorice (34-8), who reached the semifinals.
No. 3-ranked Joey Valdivia (17-5) of Grayslake Central toppled No. 4 Nate Magiera of Wauconda 7-3 in a great quarterfinal match-up at 195 while Wauconda’s Bruce Pearl dropped a tough 1-0 decision at 145.
“Our top three returning guys are expected to get through and on paper we feel good about their chances,” said Wauconda coach Tom Nance. “We’re confident that the guys who qualified last year will do it again and we’re hoping to bring a few with them.”
Top-ranked Vernon Hills senior Jeremy Brazil (39-1) will face Grayslake North’s Kasen Christensen (31-8) in one 285-pound semifinal while Carmel’s Jake Cochrane (33-5) and Hampshire’s Zach Oranger (23-13) will meet in the other semifinal.
Grayslake North senior Jimmy Prince (32-3) made the semifinals at 182 as he tries to reach state for the second time in three years. The Knights’ Angel Cabrera (120) is also gunning for a return trip to the Assembly Hall.
“I think that all of our guys (six) still have a shot,” said Grayslake North coach Ryan West. “It’s going to take some mental focus, but they are all capable.”
Besides Valdivia, the Rams have 2010 state qualifier Dylan Hay (34-7 at 145) and Jimmy Molitor (32-5 at 220) in the semifinals.
“If they wrestle well, all three of them have put themselves in a position to qualify,” said Grayslake Central coach Dan Catanzaro. “That’s a very good kid (Magiera) Valdivia beat and all three of our kids that made the semifinals wrestled well.”
Vernon Hills senior Dan Klema (36-9 at 152) looks like he is on his way to a third straight trip downstate. But junior teammate David Pierce will miss state this year do to a knee injury.
“Tim Claussen (195) won his first two matches so that was huge,” said Vernon Hills coach Jerry Micelli. “I think Brazil will make the finals again and the Carmel kid (Cochrane) is pretty tough.”
Lakes’ Jose Collado (25-10) is also making another push for state after making the semifinals at 132. Hampshire’s Tyler Espino (36-7) is in the semifinals at 113.
Former Grant wrestler Cameron Kennedy (39-0 at 120) of Richmond-Burton is going for another undefeated state-title run. There are 19 individuals ranked in the top-six at the Grayslake Central sectional.