Nice start for Lakes

Falling behind early against host Vernon Hills didn't stop Lakes' wrestling team from getting off to a great start to the season Wednesday night.

The Eagles (1-0) trailed 6-0 after a forfeit victory for Vernon Hills sophomore Blake Teschly at 106.

But the Cougars (0-1) could not stop Lakes' momentum after that point as the Eagles would eventually pull away at the higher weights to capture a 54-24 victory over Vernon Hills in this North Suburban Lake dual meet.

Sophomore Brett Holmes got the Eagles on the scoreboard with a hard-fought 4-2 decision over Jesse Goldufsky at 113 before Lakes 120-pound senior Chase Deatherage recorded a pin in 2:42 to give the visitors a 9-6 advantage.

A forfeit victory by Lakes freshman Camden Frisby boosted that lead to 15-6. But Vernon Hills senior Angel Tino responded with a pin in 2:20 to cut the gap to 15-12 in this see-saw battle.

Then Vernon Hills senior Max Rickard pinned his opponent in 1:29 and the Cougars had regained an 18-15 lead with eight matches remaining.

Unfortunately for the short-handed Cougars squad, the rest of the matches were a real struggle as a pin by Lakes senior Drew Lockas at 145, a forfeit victory by junior Cameron Larson at 152 and a forfeit win by sophomore Ryan Gregory at 160 gave the Eagles a 33-18 lead.

Then in a pivotal bout at 170, Lakes senior Mike Gottmann posted a 5-3 overtime decision against senior Stephen Chan as Gottmann recorded a takedown 34 seconds into the extra session.

Vernon Hills did hang tough late in the meet as 182-pound freshman Faheem Mannan recorded a pin in 2:27 to pull the Cougars to within 36-24 with three matches left.

But Lakes senior Max Hill closed the door on any hopes of a late Vernon Hills comeback as his pin in 2:37 clinched the team victory with the Eagles leading 42-24 with just two bouts left.

Hill and many of the Lakes wrestlers were wrestling up one weight class as Lakes was wrestling without senior standout Jared Smith at 170, and junior Xavian Girona at 152. Smith placed fifth in Class 2A as a junior while Hill was one victory short of reaching the medal round last year at the state meet.

"It was kind of tough wrestling up a weight class and it was really important getting extra points tonight," said Hill, who will mainly wrestle at 182 pounds this season. "It's all about staying healthy, both sophomore and junior year I missed the whole season up until regionals. I want to be on the podium (top six) downstate, I just need hard work and keeping up my conditioning so I can wrestle all six minutes."

The Eagles' upper weights were impressive Wednesday night as 220-pound senior Marshall Rice pinned Vernon Hills junior Collin Turley just before the second-period buzzer sounded in what had been a very competitive match.

That pin was followed by Lakes 285-pound freshman Jack Brunati posting a pin in 3:15 to account for the final score.

"We have a few holes in our lineup right now, but if we can survive this first week we will be in good shape," said Lakes coach Mark Stave, who is in his fourth season as head coach. "I'm looking for those two (Smith and Hill) to place high this year and they should both place in the top five."

The Cougars figure to be hurt by the loss of three-time state qualifier Joe Blitstein and two-time state qualifier Peter Vanderbloomer to graduation. But Vernon Hills coach Jerry Miceli is optimistic that his team can bounce back well as the season progresses.

"Our numbers are low, but we'll be OK by the end of the season," Miceli said. "They (Tino, Rickard, and Jeff Echeverria) are captains, they're seniors, and they're the hardest working kids in the room."