Scouting the Class 3A dual team wrestling meet
Class 3A dual-team state championship
At: U.S. Cellular Coliseum, Bloomington
When: Saturday
Quarterfinal pairings: Wheeling vs. Glenbard North, 9 a.m.; Grant vs. Minooka, 9 a.m.; Naperville Central vs. Oak Park-River Forest, 11 a.m.; Mt. Carmel vs. Edwardsville, 11 a.m.
Semifinals, 2 p.m.; championship and third-place matches, 6 p.m.
What to watch with Wheeling: Since 2000, Providence, St. Rita and Montini have dominated the dual-team series, with Sandburg only recently slowing the private school powers when it won back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007. Mid-Suburban League champion Wheeling is making its first Elite Eight appearance this weekend after upending No. 9 Libertyville 33-22 for a sectional title Tuesday by winning 8 of 14 matches, with 2 late losses via forfeits having little to do with the outcome.
"Going into our match with (Libertyville) we felt we were peaking at the right time, and coupled with that, and the fact that guys who had not wrestled since regionals or sectionals really came through to make a huge contribution when it counted," said Neal Weiner, who in 23 years as Wildcats coach has 355 victories.
The Wildcats' lineup will feature five state qualifiers: Luke Smith, Mike Smith, David Aranda, Leo Hicks and Dan Vargas - with the sophomore Smith (37-3) the third-place medalist last weekend at 125 pounds and Vargas (43-3, 189) a fourth-place award winner.
"We all knew it would be a tight match with Libertyville, but all week long assistant coach (J.P.) Akouri told us if we wrestled hard and won the tight matches, we would come out ahead," said Wildcats tri-captain Smith. "The same holds true with Glenbard North. It will be important not to give up bonus-point losses, while getting a few (bonus) point victories along the way."
The Wildcats' ability to rally from nowhere to win MSL and regional titles on back-to-back weekends can be credited to the steady performances of several two-year veterans and a handful of rookie upstarts who all came through.
"The great thing about our team going downstate is that it rewards everyone on this team who has made a contribution throughout the season, and gives them (all) the opportunity to participate in a state tournament atmosphere," Vargas said.
Quarterfinal outlook:
Grant (22-2) vs. Minooka (21-2): Perennial North Suburban power Grant will have its hands full with the No. 2 team in the state, as witnessed by the Indians' thrilling 25-24 victory over Providence to advance to its third trip to the final eight. The Bulldogs are led by two-time state champion Lee Munster (45-0) and four other state qualifiers, as well as senior co-captains Tyler Dempsey and Tyler Becker.
Glenbard North (19-9) vs. Wheeling (21-3): The Wildcats' impressive depth is its biggest asset, and it will be challenged by longtime DVC power Glenbard North. The Panthers, making their seventh appearance in the last nine years, are hoping to finally grab the gold after three runner-up finishes in their storied history. Tony Ramos (48-2) is the one to watch, as is 2008 state champion Jimmy Chase and teammate Joe Gosinski, who medaled last year as a freshman.
Mt. Carmel (17-13) vs. Edwardsville (23-4): Don't be fooled by double-digit losses by Catholic League runner-up Mt. Carmel, which brought six wrestlers downstate last weekend, but Southern Illinois power Edwardsville's 3-point victory over Rockton Hononegah on Tuesday proves the Tigers mean business this weekend.
Naperville Central (15-7) vs. Oak Park-River Forest (21-0): The No. 1-rated Huskies boast four state medalists, including 152-pound champion Bobby Barnhisel (42-2), which spells trouble for Central in its first-ever state dual appearance.
- Mike Garofola