Scouting the state wrestling tournament / Northwest
83rd IHSA state wrestling tournament
Where and when: State Farm Center, Champaign; Thursday through Saturday)
Mat chat: There are so many more qualifiers from the Northwest suburbs than a year ago, when 16 advanced, four who brought back a state medal. This time around, there will be 26 heading downstate, three who are rated No. 1 in their respective weight divisions, and one other close to the top. By virtue of their sectional titles won last weekend over a high profile field, both Luke Rasmussen of Barrington and Gio Jackson of Buffalo Grove will move to the head of their class, joining Prospect's Will Baysingar atop the state polls. In all, there are six wrestlers rated in the Top 10 from the Mid-Suburban League. Here's a look at the athletes from the Northwest suburbs who will compete in Champaign this weekend.
Brian Beers (Barrington, 113, 37-8): Two-time MSL champion added a second consecutive appearance downstate to his list of honors last weekend and a second straight 37-win season as well. "He's wrestled like a veteran since the early days as a freshman," says Barrington coach David Udchik of the Broncos' supersoph, who recorded 46 takedowns this season, 28 that came in the first period. First round opponent: Jacob Macatanday (Plainfield North, 44-4).
Kai Conway (Barrington, 160, 42-3): Conway (23 pins) would win a regional title at 106 as a freshman, then do so again in his final season to fuel a second trip downstate to cap a marvelous postseason ending with a sectional championship in his home gym. "Kai is as steady as they come," says Udchik of the four-year starter who leads the part of his lineup he calls the Meat Locker, which begins at 160, and ends at 182. Leads the club with 86 takedowns, and 70 second-period points. First round opponent: Stacey Terry (Homewood-Flosmoor, 25-13).
Jack Hartman (Barrington, 182, 37-5): Terrific rookie season a year ago was followed up with a sensational junior campaign that would include championship rings at the MSL, regional (his second) and sectional tournaments, which all would bring Udchik to say: "Jack has been lights out for us all season long. He's wrestling at his highest level right now." Impressive statistical numbers include 92 first-period points, 51 takedowns, and 21 pins. First round opponent: Jared Dowell (Pekin, 37-4).
Gio Jackson (Buffalo Grove, 220, 37-1): Affable two-time state qualifier has a quick smile, and even quicker feet and tremendous lower body strength to power a fierce attacking style that few can match at his weight class. "Gio has brought such a positive energy into our program since his transfer from Palatine. He's always working with underclassmen, wants the best for them, all while working to become one of the best in the state," says BG coach Kurt Kutska. Jackson has 26 pins and 67 takedowns and is one of the favorites to win it all. First round opponent: Eric Anderson (St. Rita, 28-14).
Jack Milos (Prospect, 132, 43-0): The only undefeated athlete in The Top 10 at 138 in the state, this two-time state qualifier came back from a year away to be near an unstoppable force on his way to a top-four seed in the tournament and one of the favorites among a first-class weight division. "(Milos) is one of the most talented wrestlers I've ever coached. He raises the level of competition in the room," says Knights coach Tom Whalen. Milos has 28 pins and 6 tech-falls this season. First round opponen: Brad Rosen (Downers Grove South, 25-3).
Luke Rasmussen (Barrington, 170, 41-0): Meteroic rise for the No. 1 wrestler in the state, whose defeat of No. 2 David Ferrante (Huntley) last weekend proved the Broncos' captain is a strong favorite to lift a championship trophy come Saturday night. "His work ethic is way up there, plus he's a great leader in and out of the room," says Udchik. Leads the team with 30 pins, 124 dual meet points, 112 tournament points, and 257 overall team points. First round opponent: Doug Pham (Glenbard East, 33-11).
Will Baysingar (Prospect, 106, 43-0): Knights freshman hit the ground running after coming aboard and has not stopped, leaving 43 victims in his trail including three more last weekend at sectionals to validate his spot atop the 106-pound weight class and his national ranking, which currently stands at No. 9. His relentless attacking style matches the same effort as his training habits and desire to improve daily. First round opponent: Anthony Lawryn (Bradley-Bourbonais, 31-18).
Clay Cichowski (Maine South, 195, 30-8): Hawks lone state qualifier helped his club win its second consecutive regional title with an individual championship of his own and then the junior advanced after his second-place finish at sectionals. First round opponent: Daemyn Middlebrooks (Oak Park-River Forest, 36-3).
Charlie Fifield (Fremd, 126, 39-3): In less than a year, this Vikings' sophomore has gone from a 22-20 record to a near perfect 39-3 to become one of the top threats at 126 pounds. "Charlie is a gym rat who loves to be in the room, and is just a sponge when it comes to learning more," says Fremd coach Jeff Keske of his MSL and regional champ who totaled (96) offseason matches, which led to 11 tech-falls and 10 major decision victories this season. First round opponent: Nick Minnito (Plainfield Central, 37-4).
Kobe Gilbert (Conant, 160, 29-11): Third pin of four at sectionals would provide the inspiration needed to stay alive, followed by the defeat a returning state qualifier in order to make it downstate. "(That) blood round match was big and Kobe's success is the perfect example of what can happen when you're willing to do what it takes to get to the next level," says Conant coach Chad Hay. First round opponent: Ashton Breen (Mt. Carmel, 21-11).
Grant Hansen (Schaumburg, 145, 33-11): After falling short twice in his state qualifying bout, the Saxons' junior proved the third time is indeed the charm when he beat the stomach flu and his opponent to earn his first trip downstate. "Grant looked and felt terrible last Saturday at sectionals, but he was not going to suffer a third straight blood round loss," said Schaumburg coach Mike Levanti. MSL regional champion registered 20 pins this season. First round opponent: Adam Thebeau (Belleville East, 41-3).
Jack Hominac (Conant, 170, 30-6): It's been quite a year for the Cougars' junior, who earned his first trip downstate last weekend. "The big difference this year has been in his mental toughness and confidence. He now goes into matches expecting to win. He wrestles smart, calculated and composed," says Hay First round opponent: David Ferrante (Huntley, 42-2).
Charlie Jones (Barrington, 106, 28-13): Broncos sophomore showed plenty of poise in his first year with the big club, coming back through wrestlebacks to qualify. "Charlie has been a real pleasant surprise for us, and he's helped solidify the bottom of our lineup," says Udchik. Team-high 76 third-period points along with 58 takedowns. First round opponent: Charlie Farmer (Moline, 41-1).
Zach Joyce (Hersey, 132, 27-12): Huskies senior would compete alongside his older brother Matt for two seasons, advancing together to sectionals in 2018, the first of two occasions he would fall one victory short of state. "I was not going to let that happen again," said Joyce after an impressive major decision in his state qualifying bout last Saturday. Has 104 career victories. First round opponent: Noah Mis (Mt. Carmel, 31-4).
Austin Korba (Hersey, 285, 35-4): Thirty-five victories from Huskies big man are the most since assistant coach Hunter Rollins won 42 in 2013 when he was state runner-up. "Rollins has been the main reason for my success because he constantly pushes me, while teaching me new things every day in the room," says the two-sport star (football). MSL and regional champ. First round opponent: Dustin Olmstead (Belleville West, 40-5).
Ronnie Massari (Leyden, 160, 32-4): Transfer from perennial state power Oak Park-River Forest ahead of his junior year would help solidify the middle of Leyden lineup, while providing coach John Kading with a big-time bonus point winner. Fell one win short of going downstate despite winning 32 a year ago. 2020 Tourney champ at Leyden, and Batavia. First round opponent: JayCee Gonzalez (Aurora East, 32-1).
Alejandro Mejia (Buffalo Grove, 152, 27-5): Bison star won 20 as a freshman before moving to Kentucky for the next school year. Heartbreak of not advancing from regionals last season is now a distant memory thanks to a magnificent senior year. "Alejandro is an incredible young man who not only is the hardest worker in our room, but also finds the time to manage his academics (4.10 GPA), wrestling and a part-time job," says Kutska. Has 62 takedowns, 11 pins. First round opponent: Joe Roberts (Montini Catholic, 35-5).
Joe Miller (Prospect, 138, 34-15): Knights junior placed in every tournament this winter season, including top honors at MSL and regionals. "Joe put in a ton of extra time during the offseason and his ability to scramble and grind it out for six minutes has been the difference this year for him," says Whalen. Ten majors, 9 pins and 8 tech-falls mean 29 earned extra points for his club. First round opponent: Jacob Tinajero (Marmion Academy, 34-5).
Michael Mondus (Fremd, 160, 38-10): Three-year starter was just 17-25 in his first season but his rise up the charts has been one in which his coach is thrilled with. "Michael had (46) losses in his first two years, but he never stopped working and this year he was rewarded for all of his hard work," said Keske. The three-time sectional qualifier led the club with 15 pins, adding another 7 majors, and 4 tech-falls. First round opponent: Payton Geigner (Lincoln-Way West, 38-6).
Isiah Pettigrew (Fremd, 195, 34-2): Keske still has to remind himself that his best is in just his third year of wrestling. "It's still hard to believe sometimes that Isiah started so late in the sport but has come so far in such a short amount of time and is beginning to attract attention from D-I coaches," Keske said. Fifth currently in state, Pettigrew was second at preseason nationals. First round opponent: Riley Elam (BellevilleWest, 30-11).
Damian Puma (Prospect, 126, 26-20): What the freshman thought was a chest cold turned into pneumonia, which led to eight of his defeats during winter break, but he bounced back to become a staple in the Knights' lineup. "He's worked hard to stay in the lineup by developing a strong mental toughness and big improvement from the bottom position," says Whalen. First round opponent: Mike Kaminski (Lockport, 41-4).
Evan Roper (Barrington, 220, 30-5): After missing all of last season to a broken leg suffered during the football season, this Broncos star linebacker has been the biggest surprise of all this season despite his inexperience. "Evan is a football player who also wrestles but his great strength and quickness allow him to compete like a 152-pounder," says Udchik of the junior, who made a name for himself early on when he would pin then No. 1 Ben Stemmet (Yorkville) to earn a top three spot in the polls. First round opponent: Nikolas Mishka (Mt. Carmel, 15-9).
Caleb Smith (Prospect, 220, 35-10): Versatile three-time sectional qualifier proved invaluable at the upper weights, leading to a regional title, and eventual spot in the state field. "Caleb is the ultimate team leader, whose willingness to bump around at different weights for the good of the team has proved instrumental in the success of our program," says Whalen. Has 24 pins, 29 bonus points. First round opponent: Andrew Blackburn-Frost (Lockport, 40-8).
Daniel Uribe (Leyden, 138, 35-4): Three-time sectional qualifier would finally book his place in the state field after a heartbreaking loss last season in his state qualifying bout. Classy veteran entered program at the same time Kading did four years ago and he became the cornerstone piece in the Eagles' rebuilding. Dazzling 121-34 career record. First round opponent: Javen Estrada (Lincoln-Way West, 39-2).
Angel Villegas (Maine East, 145, 17-3): Three-year veteran and three-time sectional qualifier is first to advance since 2015 when Mario Pagonis did so at 220. "Angel really started to wrestle his freshman year and although athletically not the most talented, he is by far the hardest working wrestler I've ever coached," says Blue Demons coach Austin Bautista. First round opponent: Barry Stevenson (Plainfield East, 32-3).
Tuvshin Zuunbayan (Elk Grove, 126, 27-4): Younger brother of former two-time state qualifier (Tulga) the junior was the frosh-soph state champ a year ago. "His improvement has been with his confidence. He knows how dangerous he is on his feet, and he now goes after people," says Grens coach Dan Vargas, who feels a win over 2019 state qualifier Ian Huck (Geneva) was the turning point in the season. His 90 takedowns this season broke the program record of 76. First round opponent: Jacob Rundell (Oak Park-River Forest, 38-1).