Stevenson duo, Libertyville's Knudten lead Lake County competitors to state
There is just no stopping Lorenzo Frezza and Cole Rhemrev or, for that matter Josh Knudten.
The Lake County trio continued their mastery on the mats over their respective weight class opponents Saturday at the Class 3A Barrington sectional as each claimed a coveted sectional championship.
The dynamic duo from Stevenson, Frezza (37-1) and Rhemrev (37-0), finished up their two days here with sparkling performances — Frezza at 126 pounds and Rhemrev at 138, while Libertyville's Knudten (35-3) easily dispatched his rivals at 182.
“It's not easy beating a high level opponent three times but Lorenzo came out and did just that with an impressive six-minute major decision effort,” said a proud Stevenson coach Shane Cook after Frezza beat James Wright (24-6) from Jacobs.
“(Wright) is tough. I wanted to come out and get the first takedown, keep the pressure on him by adding to my lead, and use this match to send me into the state tournament with the confidence knowing I can finish on top of the podium,” said Frezza, No. 4 in the state, who along with No. 3 Rhemrev will be joined by teammate Jacob Whiting (36-5) the 195-pound champ, in Champaign beginning on Thursday.
“Three straight weeks in a final with Scott (Busse, Lake Zurich, 32-4) plus in the offseason we work out together. We know each other really well so I was really careful in what I did in this match,” said Rhemrev following his 7-3 decision over Busse.
Knudten is on his way to his third trip downstate after recording a fall just 18 seconds into his final with Aidan McCain (35-11) of Round Lake.
“This is an exciting time of the year, and I am really happy to win this sectional, but there's a bigger prize ahead to go after,” said the always affable Knudten, No. 4 in the latest state poll.
The Wildcats' senior is one of five headed downstate from his team, including No. 4 Caelen Riley (34-5) who fell in his final with No. 6 Massey Odiotti (Loyola Academy, 37-4) by a 9-4 decision.
Riley, nonetheless, will be making his third visit to Champaign.
Teammate Austin Gomez (31-10) who last week stunned No. 3 Brody Hallin (40-2) in his regional final, lost his rematch with the McHenry star in their 170-pound final, 5-1.
Warren heavyweight Reyes Gonzales, who came into the tournament at 15-4, left with a championship ring when he defeated Markos Mihalopoulos (29-18) of Huntley with a takedown in overtime, 3-1.
“Last time here, Reyes lost in the blood round to get eliminated. He came in hungry and wrestled like a senior to earn himself a well-deserved sectional title,” said Warren coach Brad Janecek.
No. 8, Bryce Durlacher (36-2) conceded an early takedown against Evan Gosz (38-3) and the No. 7 rated Fremd senior never allowed the Mundelein junior to find his rhythm during a 13-0 major decision defeat.
Whiting, who was unable to go in his regional final with Zach Meyer (Barrington, 35-7), came back to face Meyer on Saturday, and the Patriots' senior would enjoy his biggest victory of the season and second trip to Champaign following his hard-fought 7-6 triumph.
“I tweaked my knee before my regional final, and didn't want to take the change of a further injury to possibly ruin my chances this week, and my upcoming water polo season,” said Whiting, “but I felt ready to go today.
Grant senior Justin Warmowski (18-4) is on his way to Champaign after his third-place medal at 160.