Boys wrestling: Lake Zurich's roll continues with Rex Lewis title
The Lake Zurich wrestling team capped off a great weekend on the mats Saturday at the 16-team Rex Lewis Invitational at Buffalo Grove.
After toppling Warren in a dual meet on Friday night, the Bears proceeded to roll to the championship of the Lewis Invite with 200 points to easily power past runner-up squad Elk Grove with 158 points.
Vernon Hills' first trip to the tourney was a good one as three champions carried the Cougars to third place with 150 points followed by Schaumburg (141) in fifth, and Geneva (123.5) in sixth. Grant edged the host Bison 117.5 to 113 for seventh.
The Bears had five wrestlers reach the championship match with 138-pounder Scott Busse (12-0), and 182-pounder Dan Hull (10-2) bringing home first-place medals.
Lake Zurich also got second-place finishes from Luca Poeta (10-1 at 106), Thomas Troutman at 152, and Ethan Medina at 220.
Elk Grove's effort saw four individuals reach the finals with Chance Guziec (12-2 at 220) winning a title. Grant Madl (113), Benny Schlosser (182), and Brady Tosterud (195) placed second for the Grenadiers.
"We had two kids we had to pull out of the meet due to injury so to still be able to place second was a good day for us," said Elk Grove coach Dan Vargas. "It's nice to see some depth that we really haven't had so that creates some competition and that challenges them for a spot."
Vernon Hills got crowns from Will Ludolph (10-2) at 160, Jake Psaras (11-2) at 195, and undefeated Max Acettura (13-0) at 285.
"One of the big things our guys have shown is to get in kids' faces, battle, and get on the attack," said Vernon Hills coach Jesse Wolter, who took over for longtime coach Jerry Miceli. "Our pace and our cut-throat mentality has been the key to our success with a lot of pins today."
Schaumburg also had three champs as Brady Phelps (12-1 at 106), Callen Kirchner (13-2 at 113), and Caden Kirchner (13-2 at 126) were all winners.
"(Caden) Kirchner took a tough 1-0 loss to Brian Beers of Barrington (Friday) night and he responded in the right way today," said Schaumburg coach Mike Levanti. "We struggled in some spots. Poeta is a tough guy, but Phelps was mistake-free so that was important."
Geneva's Nicky O'Keefe (9-2) rolled to first place at 152 with a 15-6 major decision while teammate Maguire Hoeksema placed second at 160.
"He (O'Keefe) had two pins (before the finals) so it was a pretty easy day, and he was very dominant," said Geneva coach Tom Chernich. "Maguire had a very nice day to make the finals, and he was losing 5-3 in the semifinals before he got a pin."
Grant got seconds from Sean Rogan (120), and Douglas Zimmerman (132). Buffalo Grove's Max Turner (126), Vernon Hills' Garry Gurevich (138), and Schaumburg's Jacob Acevedo (170) also placed second.