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Scouting regional wrestling in the Fox Valley

Class 3A at DeKalbWhen: Saturday (9 a.m.; finals 2 p.m.)

Advancement: Top 3 individuals advance into Barrington sectional. Team champion advances to yet to be determined dual-team sectional site.

Guest list: Huntley, Jacobs, DeKalb, Rockford Guilford, Harlem, Hononegah, Rockford Jefferson, Rockford Auburn, Rockford East.

The lowdown: All season long, BJ Bertelsman figured his club was better suited for weekend tournaments, rather than dual meets. Last weekend, the Huntley head coach proved prophet when the Red Raiders snapped up their first Fox Valley Conference tournament crown in program history.

Senior Dominic Swanson's pin at 126 helped secure a four-point advantage (194-190) over Crystal Lake Central, and 15 points more against Valley Division champ Jacobs which finished with 179 overall points.

"It was a great second day, but we'll need another strong team finish, and a few lucky breaks to win this regional but it can be done," said Bertelsenk, who didn't rest on his club's laurels for long after its thrilling title run.

The FVC title was the third tournament title of the year for the Red Raiders, who previously won at Granite City and Sycamore. Gannon Kosowski (106, 27-14) and Josh Stenger (120, 37-4) would join Swanson atop the podium as Huntley led everyone with three individual titles, while senior Dean Lane (160, 27-1) grabbed the lone Jacobs crown.

This regional looks to be a three-team race, with Huntley, Jacobs and Hononegah all aiming to shine brighter than the other in order to advance into the 3A dual-team sectionals at the end of the month.

Jacobs head coach Gary Conrad, who led the Golden Eagles to their first regional crown last year, believes he has the formula to repeating, but it won't be easy against two especially tournament-tested clubs.

"We didn't turn in our best performance last weekend, so we'll need our hammers to get good seeds along the way, and then make it into the finals," Conrad said. "I feel as if we can possibly get six-seven into the finals, but it's going to come down to the other five or six weight classes. If they perform well, we can win it all once again. If not we'll struggle to stay close to Huntley and Hononegah. All of us know it's about bonus points, and the back-draw, so now we just have to go out and compete like I know we can."

The aforementioned Swanson (36-5) finds himself as the likely three-seed despite a sparkling record, and No. 4 spot in the state polls after losing to second-ranked Tony Cassioppi (Hononegah, 34-2) and Anthony McKinney (29-4) of Harlem. Swanson and Cassioppi have split this season, each winning via a fall, while McKinney's recent pin of the Red Raiders' big man gives him a slight edge in the seeding process.

Last weekend, Hononegah outscored Harlem by nearly 80 points to win the NIC-10 title.

Around the divisions, Beau Harrier (Jacobs) and Zach Spencer should be the No. 1 and 2 seeds, with the Golden Eagles having the better of it through the middle of weight classes, while Hononegah, with its strength at the upper weights, looks to offset where the Red Raiders can add points to their total with Petros Mihalopoulos (195) and Jalen Blanchard (220) leading the way.

Seeding will be important for this one, with most in the room from the NIC-10 able to land important votes in key divisions.

Class 3A at Glenbard NorthWhen: Saturday (9 a.m.; finals 3 p.m.)

Advancement: Top 3 individuals advance into the Conant sectional. Team champion advances into the Larkin dual-team sectional.

Guest list: Bartlett, Elgin, Geneva, Glenbard North, Larkin, South Elgin, St. Charles East, St. Charles North, West Chicago.

The lowdown: In the land of the giants, Hugo Barraza knows he'll have to stand as tall as he can in order to take a big step forward and into the sectionals next weekend. The Larkin junior finds himself in a 126-pound group of granite here, with reigning state champion, and top-rated Austin Gomez (Glenbard North) leading the pack along with two more state ranked rivals, Anthony Rubino (St. Charles East) and Kolbe O'Brien of St. Charles North in the field as well.

"Coach (Steve) Hoyt says you have to be relentless in your approach, and that' exactly what I plan on doing at regionals," says Barraza (28-5), who finished third at the Upstate Eight tourney behind Rubino and O'Brien, after a disappointing loss in the quarters dashed his hopes of reaching the finals.

"A loss, even in at an important time like the conference tournament, is a good thing because it forces you to see your mistakes then go back and work on them," says the always upbeat Barazza, who won 23 last year on his way to sectionals, and later, to the Frosh/Soph state tourney.

"If anyone can get out of his weight class, it's Hugo," says Hoyt. "He has come such a long way, especially when you consider how little wrestling experience he had before coming here, and when I saw all of the work he put in during the offseason it's no surprise that he's had the year he has thus far."

"I dedicated myself to the sport, and getting better, and spent as much time training as I could, and probably got 30-35 matches in during the summer as well," said Barraza, who captured tournament titles at both Wheaton-Warrenville South and Geneva during the regular season.

Despite missing four duals, Barraza recorded 10 falls, and 54 takedowns, 24 of them first takedowns, meaning he began his bout up 2-0 on his opponents.

"It's a real tough weight here this weekend. It's all part of the sport, but I'll be ready to do my best - that's all I can do," he said.

South Elgin senior Zack Crosby (30-4) should be the best at 195 after earning top honors at the UEC last weekend, while Alex Montbriand (21-7) of Bartlett looks to be in good shape to advance after a strong effort at the UEC tourney, where he finished second overall.

Class 3A at Lake ParkWhen: Saturday (9 a.m.; finals 3 p.m.)

Advancement: Top 3 individuals advance into the Conant sectional. Team champion advances into the Larkin dual-team sectional.

Guest list: Streamwood, Conant, Elk Grove, Hoffman Estates, Lake Park, Maine West, Prospect, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg.

The lowdown: The powers to be did not do coach Bill Peach and his Streamwood club any favors after throwing the Sabres into a regional which includes reigning champion Conant and 2015 dual-team Elite Eight Prospect which, along with Conant, is coming off a fiercely contested Mid-Suburban League tournament last weekend that saw Prospect fall 1.5 points short of Barrington for the title, with Conant a close third.

With that said, the Sabres are in position to make a statement this weekend after recording their best finish ever at the UEC tourney, that included four third-place medals, and eight overall.

"I don't remember the last time we did as well as did in the team standings. I would have liked it better if we had more success individually, but overall it was a very good conference tournament for Streamwood," said Peach following the Sabres' sixth-place finish with 111.50 overall points.

After Sunny You (132, 24-1) suffered his first defeat of the season in the semifinals, the senior bounced back to earn third-place honors, as did teammate Jeremy Gumila (21-4) at 145 pounds after losing a wild 11-9 decision in his semifinal with Nic Anastasia of Geneva.

Andres Luna (106, 16-4) and senior Tim Reetz (195) also earned third-place medals, with Reetz winning three straight in the back draw, including a pin in the third-place bout.

The Sabres will be chasing the favorites, Prospect and Conant, who are equipped with far too much talent and depth for any other club here to challenge for the top prize.

You was the lone Sabre last season to advance to sectionals, and despite some first-class opponents from the MSL here, look for Peach and his staff to celebrate several staying alive at least one more weekend.

Class 3A at McHenryWhen: Saturday (9 a.m.; finals 2 p.m.)

Advancement: Top 3 individuals from each weight class advance into Barrington sectional. Team champion advances into yet to be determined dual-team sectional site.

Guest list: Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake South, Dundee-Crown, Barrington, Grant, Grayslake North, Lake Zurich, McHenry, Round Lake.

The lowdown: Truth be told, area clubs will be on the outside looking in while Barrington and Grant are jostling for the team trophy, so the focus for all will then turn to advancing as many of their own into the sectional tournament next weekend.

"This weekend is all about the experience for most of my guys, who are underclassmen, and just need to go out and compete for a full six minutes. If they do that, I'll be a happy man," admits Dundee-Crown coach Tim Hayes.

The Chargers first-year head coach is excited about the chances of his big three of Chase Raap, Christian Brunner and Christian Rodriguez, who he feels will make a statement at the upper weights here when this tournament draws to a close.

Brunner (195, 38-0) is on another stratosphere compared to others in his weight class, and those outside of the FVC will get a good look up close at the top-rated two-time state medalist, who continues to add more records to an already impressive prep resume as he begins his quest in earnest for a state title.

"Christian has been doing amazing things all season long, and is set to break more records with each weekend that goes by," says Hayes.

Hayes expects both Raap (182, 33-7) and Rodriguez (220, 27-9) to join Brunner at the Barrington sectional in one week as well.

"Chase and C-Rod need to go out and stick their game plan, and if they do that, as well as control the pace of the match, while staying aggressive, then good things will happen for both of them," Hayes said.

Crystal Lake South coach Ross Ryan is hoping his top man, Ethan Weinhandy (170, 28-6), is back in the Gators' lineup after missing the FVC tourney with an illness, while Cary-Grove head coach Mike Buhr feels five of his men have a chance of booking their place in the program book of the Barrington sectional.

Senior John Cullen (138, 8-1), back after a long stay on the injured list (elbow surgery), finished third at the FVC as did teammate Michael Gustafson (160, 24-10), who lost to eventual runner-up, Kevin Zange of Woodstock in OT in his semifinal bout. Buhr liked what he saw from his trio of Adam Pinter (113), Nick Gerstbrien (120) and Cadin Koeppel at 195, with the sophomore duo of Pinter (23-17) and Koeppel (23-9) each garnering fourth-place medals.

Class 2A at RochelleWhen: Saturday (9 a.m.; finals 1 p.m.)

Advancement: Top 3 individuals from each weight class advance to the Washington sectional. Team champion advances into the LaSalle-Peru dual-team sectional.

Guest list: Burlington Central, Hampshire, Kaneland, Belvidere, Belvidere North, Freeport, Rochelle, Rockford Boylan, Sycamore.

The lowdown: Adam Mengel can truly embrace the old saying it's now or never, because for the Burlington Central senior it truly is. The four-year veteran approaches his last regional tournament here this weekend and he feels he's as ready as he's ever been to get through and beyond in this 2016 state series.

"Adam is having a great season, and with all of the work he's put in, he's confident he can go deep in the postseason," says Rockets' coach Vince Govea.

"There's only one way to go right now, and that's as hard as you can, and I know the extra work I've put in, plus the upgraded schedule coach has put together this season will help all of us at this time of the season," says Mengel, who is off to Illinois State University next fall.

After a solid start to his prep career, where he went 15-9 at 113 pounds, Mengel fell off during his sophomore campaign winning just 13, while dropping 24.

"I was undersized at 126 that year, and to be honest, I didn't put the work in in between seasons, and that stuff catches up with you," he said.

Following the season, Mengel spent plenty of time in freestyle and Greco while attending as many camps as possibly, and the extra work paid off in a 17-win season at 132, in advance of a breakout year this winter, which included a championship trophy at the Ed Ewolt at Wheaton-Warrenville South.

"That obviously was a high point for me, but coming back through wrestlebacks to earn third-place medals at both the Harvard and Leyden tournaments showed me I could compete against 3A competition and succeed," Mengel said.

Although Mengel (27-7) knows little of the field here this weekend, he expects a tough bunch awaits him nonetheless.

"You have to go in thinking it's going to be tough to advance, and just be ready from that very first match on Saturday morning," he said.

Teammates Austin Macias (120, 32-1) and Nick Termini (126, 27-6) are both primed for a super Saturday here, as are the Allen brothers from Hampshire (Casey and Wylie), who each are coming off FVC titles last weekend at their home gym.

"Casey and Wylie definitely earned their FVC titles, and as far as regionals go, I believe they along with Josh Bybee and Max McGowan all have very good opportunities to get out, along with our heavyweight Pawel Barnas," said Hampshire coach Brian Iossi.

Iossi feels that a better overall effort from his entire club will give the Whip-Purs just as good a chance as any in the team race, which he says Rochelle, Kaneland, Sycamore and Freeport all will make a push to lift the big trophy.

"This regional is wide open," says Iossi. "We beat Rochelle at the Sterling Invite, then lost to Sycamore by one point when we took forfeits at three weights, before losing to Kaneland by one just a couple of weeks ago, so we're in the conversation, but everyone will need to step up, maybe get an upset or two along the way then see what happens in the end."

Class 1A at Aurora Central CatholicWhen: Saturday (9 a.m.; finals 1 p.m.)

Advancement: Top 3 individuals from each weight class advance to the Princeton sectional. Team champion advances into the Sterling Newman dual. team sectional

Guest list: Harvest Christian, Aurora Central Catholic, Christian Liberty, Wheaton Academy, Genoa-Kingston, Alden-Hebron, Mooseheart, North Boone, Rockford Lutheran.

The lowdown: Tucked away in Elgin, in the shadows the big boys of the Upstate Eight Conference, is the tiny private school of Harvest Christian Academy, and among the 144 students, there's a very good wrestler who has emerged from the half dozen on coach David Lockwood's club who has made a name for himself, and hopes to do so this weekend at this 1A venue.

Ricky Lattanzio (15-6) recently captured his third consecutive Northeastern Athletic Conference crown and the Lions' junior is hoping to make more noise and program history, by the time the final whistle sounds here at Aurora Central Catholic.

"Yes, we're kind of overlooked because we have such a small team here but Dominic Olech and Trevor Tellschow, who have helped me tremendously, are all hoping the extra time and work we've put in will pay off this weekend," says Lattanzio.

A fourth-place at the Rockford Lutheran regional last season sent the affable Lattanzio into orbit, and his subsequent talk with Lockwood helped turn everything around.

"Coach sat me down to remind me how horrible I felt after giving away that sectional qualifying match, and do I want to feel that way again. It was then and there that I made the commitment to sharpen things up and get to work on my game," he said.

Lattanzio set in motion an offseason plan that would include plenty of camps, training and conditioning to round out his entire game, including the mental part of it all, and this season, with much better positioning, and the ability to finish off shots and his opponents, the results have been most favorable.

There's plenty of optimism from Aurora Central Catholic coach, Randy Glaudel, who not only feels his club can send several through, and into the Princeton sectional, but that his team can capture the big prize over the seven rivals they are hosting.
"I feel like we have a real shot at winning our first regional title since 1977 but with that said, I feel that Genoa-Kingston, Rockford Lutheran and North Boone all have legitimate chances," said Glaudel. "All three of those teams possess strong, talented lineups, but I feel that we match up well with them, and earning that regional title is something that has been a goal of ours since the first practice of the season."

The Chargers have four returning sectional qualifiers in their lineup, with senior Chris Pedersen (182, 26-3) the best of them all.

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