Libertyville handles Warren

Two undefeated North Suburban Conference wrestling teams met at Libertyville Wednesday night.

Libertyville ran out to a 21-0 lead, finishing with a 55-13 win over Warren.

The meet opened at 152 pounds. Libertyville's E'lan Heard was back in the lineup after a month absence due to knee surgery. He had been ranked as high as No. 2 in the state during the early part of the season but has dropped out of the rankings since being injured. His opponent was No. 9 state ranked Isaiah Parker, a returning state qualifier. After an early takedown, Heard took Parker to his back, getting the pin in 1:14 of the first period.

Libertyville got pins by Josh Knudten (160) and Dane Whitney (170) along with a 4-3 win by Chase Baczek (182) to give them a huge early lead. Warren's Armando Barranday got an 11-6 win at 195 to put Warren on the board.

But Libertyville won the next six matches to put the meet away. Jordan Smith (220), Caleb Christensen (285), Caelan Riley (106) got pins. Trevor Jean (113) had a major decision while Loren Semler (126) won 10-6 to give Libertyville a 52-3 lead. Cam Domke got Warren back on the board with a major decision at 132.

With the meet outcome long over, the long awaited bout came at 138 where the top two state-ranked wrestlers, No. Joel Vandervere (Warren) and No. 2 Danny Pucino (Libertyville) squared off. Vandervere got a counter takedown and quick tilt to jump out to a 4-0 lead. Pucino got an escape shortly after to finish the period at 4-1. Pucino got a second period takedown to two Vandervere escapes for a 6-3 score at the end of the second period. Pucino rallied for three third period takedowns and a two point near fall, Vandervere had three escapes to finish off a 12-9 win for Pucino.

Warren's Gino Ortiz (145) ended the meet with a third period pin.