CL South has 3 champs at Jacobs
As many expected, NIC-10 powers Harlem and Hononegah grabbed the top two spots at the Class 3A Jacobs wrestling regional Saturday.
Harlem’s Huskies won easily with 266.5 points, followed by Hononegah with 200.5.
Crystal Lake South was the Fox Valley’s top finisher in the NIC-10-FVC showdown, finishing third. The Gators, who scored 133 points, had 3 individual champions and qualified a total of 7 wrestlers for next weekend’s Barrington sectional.
Nick Gil (126 pounds), Tom Gerszewski (152) and Mike Romanelli (220) won individual titles. Casey Callahan (113), Eric Barone (132), Nick Peters (138) and Jake Peters (160) will represent the Gators at Barrington.
Huntley, led by Josh Symbal’s title at 182 pounds, finished fourth with 100 points. Zack Stenger (106) and Brandon Mabry (170) also advanced for the Red Raiders.
The host Golden Eagles started well, with Austin Ryan winning the title at 106 pounds, outpointing Stenger. Gabe Difrecchio (195) and Mark Mamola (285) also advanced for the Golden Eagles.
Gerszewski ran his record to 37-1 by sweeping to the title. He outwrestled Harlem’s Kane Cunningham in a defensive struggle, 4-0.
“I wish I could have opened up a little bit more, but he’s tough, he’s strong,” said Gerszewski. “I’m happy I won, but I’ve got to improve a little bit.”
By contrast, Gil won in a slugfest. He was leading 23-8 when the bout was stopped.
“I was just looking for takedowns there,” he said. “I was trying to turn on top, but he’s pretty tough and I couldn’t turn him.”
Romanelli eked out a 2-1 decision in double overtime against Harlem’s Cam Baxter. He has become an expert at overtime matches throughout the year.
“In the third period, if it’s a close match, I think, ‘OK, I’ll take it into overtime,’ ” he said. “I won’t try and risk anything with a short time left.”
The Gators were missing a couple of wrestlers with injuries, including Nick Fontanetta, who was expected to be a contender at 120 pounds.
“At this point, it starts to become about the individuals,” said South coach Ross Ryan. “What they do takes care of the team. We didn’t have enough guys and enough firepower to challenge for the regional title. But the individuals that did go out there and compete, I’m very satisfied with them.”
Symbal pinned Hononegah’s Joey Welsh at 1:39 to win Huntley’s lone individual title. It was his first regional title in three tries.
“This is my third time advancing to sectionals, but my first time winning a regional,” he said. “I keep getting these darn red ribbons and I finally got a blue.”
Dundee-Crown finished seventh overall. Jimmy Kucznski advanced to sectionals with a third-place finish at 182 pounds.