Scouting wrestling in Lake County

NORTH SUBURBAN CONFERENCE

LAKE ZURICHCoach: Jake Jobst (second season)

Last season: 14th in Lake County, third in regionals

Returning wrestlers: seniors Ian McGee (113), Justin Wollard (126), Jason Wollard (132), Cristian Gavriluti (145), Marek Enters (160); juniors Logan Neurauter (120), Vinny Pasquesi (126), John Clancy (152), Joey Mrazek (170)

Newcomers: senior Jaden McCreary (152); sophomores Mitch Wayne (106), Alan Pantoja (285); freshmen Dan Hull (160), Ethan Medina (220)

Outlook: The Bears lost key wrestlers to graduation, but they still have a large number of returning wrestlers with varsity experience on their roster. It will be an uphill climb for Lake Zurich to compete with Libertyville and Stevenson in the NSC, but coach Jake Jobst is optimistic heading into the new campaign.

LIBERTYVILLECoach: Dale Eggert (32nd season)

Last season: 14-7 overall, second in NSC (6-1), second in Lake County, regional champions

Returning wrestlers: seniors Michael Gunther (138, 26-5, state qualifier), Brandon Murphy (126, 34-14, state qualifier), Ryan Damenti (182, 29-20, sectional qualifier), Peter Kafkis (120), Alec Goodman (145), Quentin Hart (152), Bennett Whitney (170), Niko Christensen (195); juniors Danny Pucino (132, 45-3, third in Class 3A), Ian Riley (120, sectional qualifier), Jordan Smith (220); sophomore Domenic Tarello (120)

Newcomers: junior Eddie Downing (285); sophomore Chase Baczek (160), freshman Caelan Riley (106)

Outlook: The Wildcats have the luxury of trotting out three returning state qualifiers, including junior Pucino, who placed third in the state last winter as a sophomore. But as was the case last year, Libertyville will also have to overcome a lot of inexperience at some other weight classes. Both Michael Gunther and Pucino won titles last weekend at the prestigious Barrington tournament.

MUNDELEINCoach: Craig Stocker (second season)

Last season: 13-13 overall, 3-4 in NSC, fifth in Lake County, second in regionals

Returning wrestlers: seniors Logan Kvien (182/195, fourth in Class 3A, two-time state qualifier), Reese Durlacher (126/132, two-time state qualifier), Geo Albavera (170/182), D.J. Preston (182/195); junior Jason Guadarrama (220/285)

Newcomers: juniors Isaac Antunez (126/132), Nathan Dee (138/145); sophomore Rudy Osornio (160/170)

Outlook: Despite losing Dane Durlacher (University of Illinois, third in Class 3A) to graduation, the Mustangs are looking forward to having a strong season with Logan Kvien, Reese Durlacher and D.J. Preston among the key seniors ready to provide leadership. Almost Mundelein's entire lineup will be filled by wrestlers with varsity experience.

STEVENSONCoach: Shane Cook (13th season)

Last season: Lake County champions, four-time defending NSC champions, second in regionals

Returning wrestlers: seniors Tommy Frezza (120, two-time state qualifier), Max Gomez (195, state qualifier), Ivor Gueorguiev (152), Yoni Leibovitz (126); junior Matt Millman (182)

Newcomers: seniors Jason Bickers (145), Dean Crawford (160); juniors Ray Allen (132), Alex Scott (170); sophomores Randy Lu (113), Kei Yamato (138); freshman Cole Rhemrev (106)

Outlook: After winning the Lake County and NSC titles last winter, the Patriots will continue to strive for excellence with a couple of returning state qualifiers expected to lead the way. Stevenson has won four straight NSC crowns. But the Pats have fallen just short of capturing regional championships in recent years, including a devastating tiebreaker loss to Deerfield in 2016.

WARRENCoach: Brad Janecek (second season)

Last season: third in Lake County, second in regionals

Returning wrestlers: seniors Austin Nash (113/120, state qualifier), Sawyer Nash (106/113, state qualifier), Christian Goeden (220/285), Marcus Thompson (220/285), Noah Hergenreder (138/145), Keann Matias (145/152), Sam Bentum (195)); juniors Cam Domke (120/126), Gino Ortiz (145), Nate Padilla (132/138), Armondo Barandey (195/220); sophomores Joel Vandervere (120/126, third in Class 3A), Isaiah Parker (152/160)

Newcomers: junior Logan Haar (195)

Outlook: The Blue Devils will once again have their hands full competing with the likes of Libertyville and Stevenson in the NSC. But Warren has a solid nucleus of returning varsity wrestlers to shoulder the brunt of the scoring load, and they should still be a competitive squad, despite numerous key losses to graduation. Joel Vandervere is a potential state champion.

NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY CONFERENCE

ANTIOCHCoach: Wilbur Borrero (15th season)

Last season: Elite Eight team qualifier, regional champions, ninth in Lake County

Returning wrestlers: seniors Jackie Sistrunk (145/152, state qualifier), Xavier Sanchez (285, 2017 state qualifier), Mikey Volkmar (152/160), Blake Juszczyk (195/220), Robby Misiek (138/145); juniors Alex Barbarise (113/120, two-time state qualifier), Danny McPherson (126/132, state qualifier), Niall Schoenfelder (152/160, state qualifier), Luke Menzies (120/126); sophomores Drew Lehn (106/113), Chad Cowart (160/170)

Newcomers: junior Bailey McGrath (160/170)

Outlook: After reaching the Elite Eight team tournament for the fifth time since 2010 last year, the Sequoits look to be poised to pull off that feat again this winter as they have an abundance of talent and state-meet experience back in their lineup. Coach Wilbur Borrero always seems to get the best out of his individuals at the end of the season, and that success has carried over into the team sectional competition more often than not.

GRANTCoach: Lenny Grodoski (fourth season)

Last season: 20-5 overall, NLCC champions (7-0), tied for seventh in Lake County, third in regionals

Returning wrestlers: senior Kaleb Perzigian (220); juniors Justin Brown (182, state qualifier), Ethan Geist (152/160), Zach Hitzler (132), Dylan Rinkenberger (138), Kyle Rainey (170); sophomore Chris Lozos (113/120)

Newcomers: senior Corbin Henninsen (126); junior Angel Martinez (285); sophomores Brett Riggs (145), Eddie Tregenza (145); freshmen Sean Rogan (106), Justin Warmowski (113/120)

Outlook: With the majority of their starting lineup returning, the Bulldogs are not only expecting to push for the NLCC crown, but they are hoping to battle for a regional title this season as well. "Our dual meet lineup is strong, and our team has a lot of depth at every weight class and experience throughout the lineup," coach Lenny Grodoski said.

GRAYSLAKE CENTRALCoach: Matt Joseph (fourth season)

Last season: tied for seventh in Lake County, third in regionals

Returning wrestlers: seniors Alex Cramer (170, Class 2A state champ, three-time state qualifier), Joey Murphy (145), Ethan Torres (220/285), Ethan Lester (195); juniors Tristan Burch (113), Jayson Weidman (126); sophomores Joey Jens (160, fifth in Class 2A), Adrien Cramer (182, state qualifier)

Newcomers: senior Mark Martinez (152); junior Peyton Gomez (132); sophomore Justin Kellogg (138); freshman Chase James (220)

Outlook: Led by defending state champ Alex Cramer, who's committed to Old Dominion, and two other state qualifiers, the Rams have a lot of star power in their lineup. Grayslake Central will need to put together a consistent lineup from top to bottom if it hopes to compete with powerhouses like Grant in the NLCC as well as its regional rivals.

GRAYSLAKE NORTHCoach: Collin McKillip (fifth season)

Last season: sixth in Lake County, sixth in regionals

Returning wrestlers: seniors Adam Blonski (152, state qualifier), Wake Caldero (285, state qualifier); juniors Nick Kozanecki (132-145), Mat Littleton (106)

Newcomers: senior Kyle Bosshart (138); freshman Armen Jerikian (113)

Outlook: The Knights lost a two-time state qualifier in Angel Flores to graduation, but they still have two state qualifiers back in seniors Adam Blonski and Wake Caldero, who are ready to lead their squad. "We have a lot of guys who have varsity experience, and as a group we need to build on that experience and grow individually and as a team," coach Collin McKillip said. "I hope that my returners are setting high expectations for themselves because I know that I am."

LAKESCoach: Jack Troesch (second season)

Last season: 12th in Lake County, fourth in regionals

Returning wrestlers: seniors Jack Brunati (285), Joey Kleppin (126/132), Max Sanders (113), Mickey Kane (138), Joey Gunther (145), Charlie Schmitt (195), Anthony Orn (195/220); juniors David Becker (126, state qualifier), Jayden Terranova (120), Kurtis Smith (152), Logan Albanero (160), Brandon Burdette (145)

Newcomers: sophomores Isa Abdeljaber (170), Kaleb Lind (182); freshman Kameron Huber (106)

Outlook: The Eagles have gotten off to a good start with a victory over Mundelein. With much more experience and depth in its lineup, Lakes should show much improvement and progress as it hopes to surpass the success it had last winter by a landslide.

ROUND LAKECoach: Mike Hruska (10th season)

Last season: 18-13 overall, 13th in Lake County, sixth in regionals

Returning wrestlers: seniors Aaron Cuellar (195), Shamier Austin (182), Zach McCain (138), Isaiah Andujo (220), Rafael Olivares (160), Miguel Enriquez (285); juniors Luis Cadena (120), Jonathan Cermeno (126), Ender Kongkaeow (132), Daven Duncan (170), David Bagramian (152), Brandon Cohen (106), Alejandro Mora (160)

Newcomers: sophomores Corwin Wheeler (195), Dominic Tovar (145), Owen Hill (285); freshman Jesse Aldana (126)

Outlook: The Panthers finished with an above-. 500 record last season and will try to build on that success. They have good numbers and a good amount of experienced wrestlers to yield more positive results.

WAUCONDACoach: Mike Buhr (third season)

Last season: 15th in Lake County, fifth in regionals

Returning wrestlers: seniors Evan Husko (126, two-time state qualifier), Johnny Lopez (113), Dany Cervantes (138); sophomore Jack Sullivan (106)

Newcomers: senior Erik Trela (182); freshman Colin Husko (120)

Outlook: After struggling through a rough 2017-18 season, the Bulldogs hope to rebound with a key group of wrestlers. Wauconda will have its work cut out if it wants to beat perennial power Grant in the NLCC. But coach Mike Buhr is hoping that his squad can be in contention for their second conference crown in three years.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

CARMEL CATHOLICCoach: Bob Kuykendall (11th season)

Last season: 10th in Lake County, second in regionals

Returning wrestlers: seniors Riley Palm (138, 41-0, Class 2A state champion), Tommy Hoy (160, state qualifier), Alex Perez (113, sectional qualifier), Geovanni Monte (126), Ben Miller (152), Conner Porten (152), Andy Clatch (152); juniors Christian Valadez (132, two-time state qualifier), Jonathan Lopez (195, sectional qualifier), Vince Swindell (138), Yovaniel Garcia (170), David Garcia (220), Matt Furrer (152); sophomores Isaiah Lopez (126), James McArthur (120), Christian Holmes (120), Aushwin Lee (152)

Newcomers: senior Reese Patterson (152)

Outlook: After becoming the first Carmel wrestler in school history to win a state title last year, Riley Palm returns for his senior season. Coach Bob Kuykendall has two other returning state qualifiers in Christian Valadez and Tommy Hoy.

CENTRAL SUBURBAN LEAGUE NORTH

VERNON HILLSCoach: Jerry Miceli (19th season)

Last season: fourth in CSL North, seventh in regionals

Returning wrestlers: seniors Faheem Mannan (220), Max Xu (285), Casey Wood (195), Ryan Peck (160), Nate Gunderson (126); junior Will Darling (145); sophomore Vito Axxettura (182)

Newcomers: sophomores Matteo DeLeon (138), Sean Lee (132), Eduardo Sosa (152); freshmen Will Ludolph (106), Alex Gil (113)

Outlook: Despite losing two state qualifiers in Blake Teschky and Jesse Goldufsky to graduation, the Cougars are off to a great start with a 12-0 record, including a victory over CSL foe Evanston. "These kids find a way to win, and they put in a lot of work in the off-season," coach Jerry Miceli said. The Cougars will not compete in the Lake County meet again this season.