Wrestling: Scouting Lake County
NORTH SUBURBAN LAKE
LAKE ZURICH
Coach: Dan Strickler (23rd season)
Last season: 16-6 overall, fifth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Tommy Clancy, Josh Spiwak, Ethan Honnegger, Max Brummel, John Strojny
Top returning competitors: senior Pete Baldaccini (170/182, sectional qualifier); junior Josh Dyer (220, Fargo qualifier); sophomore Joey Stutzman (138, sectional qualifier)
Key newcomers: juniors Maxx Wayne (120), Nick Swanson (132), Derrick Juarez (145), Nate Bass (170), Billy Busse (195); sophomores Ben Baca (126), Matt Grom (138), Nick Dimaggio (152), Josh Goldberg (160)
Outlook: After taking fifth in the conference last winter, the Bears graduated a lot of experienced wrestlers. But all is not lost heading into the 2015-16 campaign as a strong nucleus includes Baldaccini, Dyer and Buss. The status of Stutzman is uncertain due to injury.
LIBERTYVILLE
Coach: Dale Eggert (29th season)
Last season: 11-11 overall, fourth in NSC, third in regionals
Top graduated seniors: Joey Gunther (second in Class 3A, two-time state qualifier, University of Iowa), Mark Dunsing (state qualifier, Ohio University), Jordan McInerney, Sal Potts, Dan Schilling
Top returning competitors: seniors Will Johnson (145, sectional qualifier), Mike Beck (220, sectional qualifier), Max Michelotti (132), Mike Hogan (132), Brian Vickers (152), Jack Meyer (152), Nick Kraus (170), Kyle Smith (182), Izaiah Hernandez (182), Ben O'Donnell (195); juniors Alex Mitchell (106, NSC champ, sectional qualifier), Drew Onufer (120/126), Gabe Castillo (132), Jack Damenti (152), Adam Koziol (195); sophomores Will Bertaud (113), Tyler Padilla (138)
Key newcomers: juniors Ryan Cleary (170), Konnor Lindsey (195); sophomore Charlie Schmidt (285); freshman Michael Gunther (120/126, third in IKWF state)
Outlook: With elite wrestlers like Gunther and Dunsing lost to graduation, the Wildcats have an inexperienced team returning. But there are bright spots sprinkled throughout the lineup with some of the lower-weight wrestlers expected to impress with their hustle. The Wildcats' lineup was not at full strength to start the season due to their football team taking second place in the Class 7A state playoffs.
MUNDELEIN
Coach: Mark Stewart (first season)
Last season: ninth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Brae Cruz, Willy Hernandez, Ricky Lopez, Chris Adams, Alex Edmonds, Hassan Thomas, Yobanni Antunez
Top returning competitors: seniors Alec Riportella (120/126), Cesar Obispo (195), Victor Rodriguez (160), Kamil Olechno (170), George Konstantinidis (152), Armondo Garcia (113); juniors Tony Laurie (113/120), Zach McCraw (132), Alex Hendon (138/145); sophomore Dane Durlacher (106)
Key newcomers: sophomore Junior Hernandez (138); freshmen Reese Durlacher (106, third in IKWF), Logan Kvien (145)
Outlook: Not only will the Mustangs have a lot of new faces in their lineup, they will also have a new coach on the sidelines as Mark Stewart takes over the reigns from Vinny Jiuditta. Having to challenge the likes of defending NSC champion Stevenson, Warren and Libertyville in the NSC Lake will be a tall order. But the tough competition should help prepare Mundelein for the grind of the always rugged IHSA state series in February.
STEVENSON
Coach: Shane Cook (10th season)
Last season: 20-3 overall, NSC champions, NSC Lake Division champions
Top graduated seniors: Tyler Harrington (fourth in Class 3A, two-time state qualifier, North Dakota State University), Zach Horwitz (sectional qualifier, Indiana University), Juwon Anderson (Harper College)
Top returning competitors: seniors Michael Kordek (182), Alec Nolan (120), Nick Grujanac (285); juniors Eric Carter (132, state qualifier), Nikita Nepomnyashchiy (170), Robert Pavlovics (160), Ben Ponto (145), Brandon Zisman (126)
Key newcomers: senior Jared Bukowski (138); junior Dylan Geick (152, transfer from Vernon Hills); sophomore Charles Longsworth (220); freshmen Tommy Frezza (106), Matthew Zimring (113), Max Gomez (195)
Outlook: After winning the NSC championship and the Lake Division title for the first time in school history last winter, the Patriots are still looking like they will be the team to beat this season, despite some pretty key losses to graduation. Stevenson does have a state qualifier in Carter returning to the squad along with many key members of last season's successful team ready to do battle. The addition of transfer student Geick should give the Patriots' already strong squad a pretty good boost as Geick captured first place at the powerful Barrington Thanksgiving tournament last weekend, despite being unseeded going into the competition.
WARREN
Coach: Jake Jobst (first season)
Last season: third in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Rakheem Chapman, Quinn Nonnemacher, Charlie Nudelman, Bryan Nolan, Jakob Martinez,
Top returning competitors: seniors Zach Khoury (195), Sergio Sosa (285), Chris Presberg (132); junior Andrew Demos (170); sophomore J.T. Vandervere (113)
Key newcomers: juniors Richard Howard (113), Grant Zamin (138), Kendell Bell (138), Brandon Hergenrader (160), Jared Pompulus (195); sophomore Jariston Clarke (160)
Outlook: Jake Jobst has some pretty high hopes for the Blue Devils this season as he will replace Jim Ouimette as Warren's head coach. The Blue Devils should be solid from top to bottom with nine returning starters looking to make a big impact in 2015-16. If all goes as planned with some new wrestlers able to step into bigger roles, Jobst hopes that Warren can put itself in a position to contend for the NSC crown this season against defending champion Stevenson and perennial power Grant. Demos earned All-American status at the USA Cadet Nationals this past summer.
NORTH SUBURBAN PRAIRIE
ANTIOCH
Coach: Wilbur Borrero (12th season)
Last season: regional champions, seventh in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Ken Strohman, Justin Miller, Bradley Green, Tyler Espitia
Top returning competitors: seniors Nathan Dlugopolski (120, sixth in Class 2A, two-time Fargo qualifier), Jake Gross (113, state qualifier, NSC champ), Jeramiah Ryes (145), Steve Frandsen (170), Dylan McBride (220); juniors Pat Schoenfelder (145, fourth in Class 2A, two-time state qualifier, NSC champ), George Bessette (195, fourth in Class 2A in 2014, two-time state qualifier); sophomores R.J. Vazquez (132/138), Drew Porter (160)
Key newcomers: sophomores DeShawn Williams (182), DeAndre Burns (132/138), John Boyd (145); freshmen Xavier Sanchez (285, third in IESA), Trent Porter (106), Sammie Schultz (106)
Outlook: With four state qualifiers back in their lineup, including two state medalists, the Sequoits appear to be ready to make a push for another regional championship when the Class 2A tournament is held in February. Class 3A Grant is still the team to beat in the NSC Prairie Division, but Antioch and Lakes hope to close the gap on the always powerful Bulldogs this season. The Sequoits have had a ton of success in the individual state tourney in recent years, and that trend should continue with their four current state qualifiers hoping to do even better Feb. 18-20 in Champaign. Bessette was one match away from Junior All-American status in Greco last summer at Fargo.
GRANT
Coach: Lenny Grodoski (first season)
Last season: regional champions, 22-7 overall, second in NSC, Prairie Division champs
Top graduated seniors: Mike Kouvelis (two-time state qualifier), Noah Drabek (2014 state qualifier), Cristian Coronado, Gage Datlovsky, Jack Resnick, Alex Dague (Wabash College), Anthony Mostachio, Brad Miller
Top returning competitors: seniors Christian Kanzler (126, two-time state qualifier, NSC champ), Jordan Favela (120), Alex Rodriguez (132), Kobe Lear (152), Justin Gilich (160); sophomore Spencer Welter (113)
Key newcomers: seniors Dylan Mannes (138), Cole Berg (145); junior Kris Krey; sophomore Tucker Rogan
Outlook: The Bulldogs will once again be one of the teams to beat in the NSC this season after falling just a half a point behind Stevenson for the conference championship last winter. One of the biggest changes that is taking place this season at Grant is new coach Len Grodoski replacing Ryan Geist after Geist compiled well over 300 victories in his stellar 16-year career as the Bulldogs' coach. Kanzler is an elite wrestler to watch as he looks to close out his career with another trip to the IHSA state meet in February.
LAKES
Coach: Mark Stave (fourth season)
Last season: 11th in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Levi Smith, Sam Callahan, Zach Fuller, Alex Girona, Austin Summers
Top returning competitors: seniors Jared Smith (170, fifth in Class 2A), Max Hill (182, state qualifier), Chase Deatherage (120), Drew Lockas (138), Mike Gottmann (170), Marshall Rice (220); juniors Xavian Girona (152) Cameron Larson (145), Ishmael Velasquez (132)
Key newcomers: junior Jeff Kleppin (182); sophomores Brett Holmes (113), Ryan Gregory (160) Joe Dillon (138); freshmen Camden Frisby (126), Jack Brunati (285)
Outlook: With state-medalist Smith and state qualifier Hill leading the way, the Eagles are hoping for some good results as the 2015-16 campaign unfolds in the NSC Prairie Division and beyond. Perennial power Grant will once again be the team to beat in the division, but Lakes is hoping to make another push for a regional crown after winning the regional title just two years ago. Antioch is another Class 2A team that will probably pose a major obstacle to the Eagles' hopes of reaching the dual team sectional meet.
ROUND LAKE
Coach: Mike Hruska (seventh season)
Last season: 13-15 overall, 10th in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Joe Greenhill (Loras College), Dan Arteaga, Nick Moore, Danny Hernandez, Ivan Guerrero
Top returning competitors: seniors Juan Arteaga (106), Sergei Wawrzyniak (138), Angel Landa (220); sophomore Anthony Enriquez (132)
Key newcomers: junior Davonte Barfield (120); sophomores Joshua Jackson (195), Jeron Rogers (113), Andre Neal (145); freshmen Zach McCain, Chris Macias (285)
Outlook: With the loss of numerous key seniors to graduation and some previous varsity wrestlers not coming out for the team, the Panthers lineup is pretty depleted heading into the 2015-16 campaign. But Hruska is still optimistic that his young squad can show some great improvement throughout the season despite facing an uphill struggle in their rebuilding situation.
VERNON HILLS
Coach: Jerry Miceli (16th season)
Last season: eighth in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Joe Blitstein (three-time state qualifier, UW-Oshkosh), Peter Vanderbloomer (two-time state qualifier), Colin Alexander, Patrick Pranica, Jake Stinson, Max Donato
Top returning competitors: seniors Max Rickard (138), Angel Tino (132), Jeff Echeverria (145), Issam Khayr (126) Stephen Chan (160), Dan Tomback (182) Connor Wood (195); juniors Collin Turley (220); sophomores Jesse Goldufsky (113), Scott Harris (120)
Key newcomers: junior Calvin Park (285); sophomore Blake Teschly (106); freshmen Faheem Mannan (170), Andrew Jeon (285)
Outlook: The Cougars will have a tough time replacing the leadership of three-time state qualifier Blitstein and two-time qualifier Vanderbloomer. But Miceli is still optimistic that his young squad will put the pieces together and have a competitive season with some excellent senior leadership still in the fold.
WAUCONDA
Coach: Tom Nance (32nd season)
Last season: 11-20 overall, 13th in NSC
Top graduated seniors: Steve Ciolek, Jake Conour, Tom Stolt
Top returning competitors: seniors Eric Tabaka (145), Allan Bastea (182), Yael Garcia (145), Dahyron Valenzuela (126/132), James Barton (138/145); juniors Jose Munoz (126/132, 2014 state qualifier), Tyler Stankiewicz (182/195), Justin Mitchell (113), Tyler Husko (132/138), Byron Aguirre (113/120), Nick Schomer (145/152), Devin Parrish (152/160), Mike Turzynski (220)
Key newcomers: senior Jimmy Myers (285); juniors Frank Milella (182), Ryan Zahari (120), Mitchell Bastea (126/132), Carlos Hernandez (120/126, transfer from McHenry); sophomores Mickey Landick (152), Jared Dewyze (170), Drake De Latorre (195/220), Brandon McKimmy (145, transfer from Richmond-Burton); freshmen Evan Husko (106), Sean Zahari (106/113), Dalon Kanari (126)
Outlook: This season will mark the end of a long and successful era at Wauconda as coach Tom Nance will be retiring following his 32nd and final campaign as the Bulldogs' head coach. Nance has seen it all in his more than three decades of coaching, and he is hoping to close out his stellar career by guiding at least a couple of individuals to the state meet.
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC
CARMEL
Coach: Bob Kuykendall (eighth season)
Last season: 6-15 overall, 3-4 in ESCC, third in sectionals, third in regionals
Top graduated seniors: Anthony Swindell (sixth in Class 2A, two-time state qualifier), Brodie Palm, Logan Churchill, Connor Patrone
Top returning competitors: seniors Mike Tortorice (120, third in Class 2A), Kenny Barber (132, two-time state qualifier), Nathaniel Morris (160, state qualifier); junior Bobby Pryhocki (138, sectional qualifier); sophomore Anthony Schaer (sectional qualifier)
Key newcomers: juniors Frank Jaeger (126), Will Martin (170); sophomore Braden Foster (285); freshmen Riley Palm (106), Tommy Hoy (132)
Outlook: Despite losing some key seniors to graduation, the Corsairs have a great nucleus returning with three Class 2A state qualifiers ready to set the tone in 2015-16. Carmel should have a nice balance of experienced wrestlers to go along with its promising newcomers. If all goes well, the Corsairs could challenge Class 2A teams like Antioch and Lakes for a potential regional championship this winter.
FOX VALLEY FOX
GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL
Coach: Matt Joseph (first season)
Last season: 16-10 overall, ninth in FVC
Top graduated seniors: Jon Makey (three-time state qualifier, Harper College), David Thiel (state qualifier), Shivam Chokshi, Brad Lamberti
Top returning competitors: seniors Larry Augustine (145/152), Ryan Mikes (126), Joey Tarnowski (132), Collin Pogue (138); sophomore Austin Connelly (120)
Key newcomers: sophomore Jacob Quantrell (106/113, transfer from Warren); freshmen Alex Cramer (132, IESA state champ), Nick Tarnowski (106), Ethan Torres (170/182)
Outlook: After sending three wrestlers to the state meet last year under former coach Mark Stewart, the Rams have new coach in Matt Joseph. Unlike crosstown rival Grayslake North, which will be moving up to Class 3A, Grayslake Central will remain in the Class 2A state tournament this season. Joseph was a state runner-up at 189 pounds when he wrestled for Hersey in 2001. The Rams will be without the services of 2015 state qualifier Richard Novrouzov, who is not competing his senior year.
GRAYSLAKE NORTH
Coach: Collin McKillip (second season)
Last season: 3-3 in FVC Fox Division, 13th in FVC
Top graduated seniors: Cody Sawyer (state qualifier), Austin Cloe, Manny Cabrera, Aaron Elsing, Victor Carranza
Top returning competitors: senior Jake Wright (152, state qualifier), Blake Wilshire (126); juniors Joe Arroyo (113, state qualifier), Alex Moran (160), Justin Bock (220)
Key newcomers: senior Nick Chiochios (138), Bradley Keil (285); juniors Fernando Gonzalez (106), Nolan Elsing (120), Anthony Johnson (145); sophomores Michael Johnson (170), Zach McCauley (182), Angel Flores (195); freshman Adam Blonski (132)
Outlook: The Knights will have their work cut out when the IHSA state tournament rolls around, as they are jumping up from Class 2A to Class 3A. They will be the second-smallest Class 3A team in the state in 2016. After placing second at the powerful Barrington Thanksgiving tournament last weekend, Arroyo has proved that he should be a strong candidate for making a return trip to the state meet, despite having to move up to Class 3A this season. Grayslake North will be joined in Class 3A by perennial Class 2A powerhouse Montini, which has been moved up a class this year based on the IHSA's "success factor."