Lake County competitors ready for state

Three Lake County area teams will each be sending a trio of wrestlers to the 2011 IHSA Class 3A individual state wrestling meet this weekend in Champaign.

Emerging out of the powerful Barrington sectional was not an easy task.

But Libertyville has three individuals headed for the Assembly Hall when the competition gets under way this morning.

The Wildcats are led by two-time state qualifier Luke Miller at 215 pounds. Miller will be joined downstate by fellow seniors Luke Gaeth (130) and Kevin Tavakoli (152).

After placing fourth in the North Suburban Conference, Gaeth has come on strong in the state series with a second-place finish at sectionals. Miller was also a runner-up last weekend.

Stevenson will also be taking an elite trio of seniors to the state meet led by 125-pound, Purdue-bound Danny Sabatello (38-0), who is gunning for back-to-back state titles.

The Patriots’ 152-pound Marc Futterman and 215-pounder Brandon Weber will also compete after placing third at sectionals.

No. 1-seeded Sabatello is on a collision course with No. 2-seeded Eddie Klimara of Providence, who he beat last year for the 119-pound state title.

“This is what he (Sabatello) has been working for all season and he’s now fully prepared,” said Stevenson coach Shane Cook. “Brandon Weber is not just content with making state. His goal is to get a medal. We always knew Marc (Futterman) had the potential to perform like he did, and he finally put it all together.”

Mundelein also maximized its performances at sectionals with two-time qualifier Payton Cruz (39-4 at 135) ready to make a serious push for a top-six medal after winning the sectional crown.

Junior Matt Ornoff (130 pounds, 33-6) returns to state for the second time in three seasons for the Mustangs, while senior teammate Pablo Mata (171) advanced to state with a third-place showing.

Warren senior T.J. Parker (37-6) fought his way through the 160-pound bracket to reach Champaign along with 112-pound freshman teammate Israel Santiago.

Lake Zurich will be represented by senior standouts Zach Ullman at 145 and Alex Nigro at 135.

Lake County area individuals dominated the Antioch sectional last weekend en route to the Class 2A state meet this weekend in Champaign. The top four finishers will earn medals in Class 2A.

The host Sequoits led the way by sending six individuals downstate, including 2010 qualifiers George Gonzalez (41-5) at 145 and Zach Epker (37-3) at 189.

Antioch teammates Mike Gussarson (125), Zach Freundt (171), Brandon Schultz (112) and Hunter Moseley (160) will be making their first appearances at the historic Assembly Hall.

“I really don’t know what to expect, but hopefully their best is good enough to place (in top four),” said Antioch coach Wilbur Borrero. “It’s a new experience for four of them so hopefully they can come back with a medal.”

Wauconda has five first-time state qualifiers led by sectional champion Brian Kent (33-1) at 215 pounds.

Senior Pete Kootstra (160) is a veteran wrestler heading south for the Bulldogs along with sophomore Devin Tortorice (103), sophomore Bruce Pearl (140) and freshman Nate Magiera (171).

Vernon Hills had four individuals advance, including third-ranked senior Gideon Yim (38-2 at 125), who is making his third straight trip to the state meet.

“I know what it feels like,” Yim said. “There’s no excuse that I can’t win state this year if I’m mentally prepared.”

Besides Yim, junior teammate Dan Klema (145) is making his second trip to state, while 285-pound junior Jeremy Brazil (38-6) was a sectional champion. Sophomore David Pierce (140) also reached state for the Cougars.

“Yim has to think like a state champ and he’s training like a state champ,” said Vernon Hills coach Jerry Miceli. “Brazil can be a placer (top four) and he’s beaten just about everybody in the last three weeks.”

Grayslake North also has four wrestlers competing, led by sectional champ Angel Cabrera (37-6) at 119.

The Knights have a two-time qualifier in 135-pound senior Rich Downes ready to do battle along with junior Nick Klein at 103 and sophomore Stone Dax at 152.

Grayslake Central has three grizzled veterans competing for the second time behind 2010 placewinner Kevin Hein (215), senior Bobby Raines (103) and junior Joey Valdivia (189).

Lakes has three first-time qualifiers in senior sectional winner Kyle Gibson (35-9 at 140), junior Tyler Booth (135) and junior Jose Collado (130).