GLENBARD NORTH
CLASS 3A
REGIONAL West Chicago, Saturday
SECTIONAL Glenbard North (individual), Saturday, Feb. 11; West Aurora (team), Tuesday, Feb. 21
OUTLOOK Aspirations are once again high for the Panthers program as they set out to defend their Class 3A state title.
While injuries and the extended playoff run by the football team provided obstacles in the early going, Glenbard North has hit its stride at the perfect time, evidenced by the squad running away with the DVC title last Saturday.
The Panthers will be the unquestioned favorite at the West Chicago regional, though fellow league foes Glenbard East, West Chicago and Wheaton North, along with Glenbard West, should provide challenges. Barlett, Conant and Downers Grove North are among those teams that could stand in the way if Glenbard North reaches the team sectional.
Individually, the squad could again bring home a lot of hardware from Champaign, spearheaded by Marmion-transfer Jered Cortez, who is undefeated at 120 pounds, and returning state runner-up Brian Murphy, who is unbeaten at 152 since his return from a football injury.
Richard Browne (106), Chris Gonzalez (113), Jon Marmolejo (126) and John Gosinski (132) could also make long runs and ultimately end up on the awards podium.
GLENBARD SOUTH
CLASS 2A
REGIONAL LaSalle-Peru, Feb. 4
SECTIONAL Sterling (individual), Feb. 11; Sycamore (team), Feb. 21
OUTLOOK Despite a youthful roster, Glenbard South has put together a solid season, winning nine dual meet matches.
Headed to LaSalle-Peru for a regional that features state-ranked Marmion and Yorkville, the Raiders will focus on trying to advance individuals through to the sectional.
A crop of seniors have the best chance to accomplish that goal, led by Ethan Hill, who is 29-2 at 195 pounds. Jon Aloff is 16-3 at 126, Frank Fagiano has posted a record of 19-11 at 152 and Steven O’Rourke is 18-13 at 182.
“The goal to get as many wrestlers into sectionals,” said coach Derrick Crenshaw, “and a couple of wrestlers to the state meet.”
GLENBARD WEST
CLASS 3A
REGIONAL West Chicago, Feb. 4
SECTIONAL Glenbard North (individual), Feb. 11; West Aurora (team), Feb. 21
OUTLOOK The arrow continues to point up for the Hilltoppers program which is in the midst of a solid 2011-12 campaign.
While the goal of a team title at the West Chicago regional will be tough to attain with Class 3A defending state champion Glenbard North in the field, Glenbard West has the opportunity to get a large group of individuals on to the sectional and possibly beyond.
Junior Zak Hassan, with a 32-4 record at 132 pounds, is the team’s best bet to make it to state after qualifying a year ago while Rodrick Smith (20-4 at 120) is also looking to make back-to-back trips to Champaign after transferring from Proviso West. The road downstate won’t be easy for either of them.
“All regionals are tough,” said coach Nick Posegay. “They are always tough every year. We are used to that and we’ve been up against tough competition all year. We are not backing down. We’ve got guys with some promise and we will go from there.”
Others who could have strong showings include CJ Sojka (25-10 at 113), Jack Carlson (31-8 at 145) and Brendan Gilligan (24-11 at 285).
WHEATON NORTH
CLASS 3A
REGIONAL West Chicago, Feb. 4
SECTIONAL Glenbard North (individual), Feb. 11; West Aurora (team), Feb. 21
OUTLOOK Coming in as healthy as they have been all season, the Falcons appear primed for a strong showing at the challenging West Chicago regional.
Wheaton North will see a few familiar foes in conference rivals Glenbard East, West Chicago and Glenbard North, the defending Class 3A champion and favorite for the regional crown.
Aside from challenging for a top finish in the team competition, the goal is to get as many individuals through to the sectional. One wrestler looking to continue a storybook season is senior Mike Swider, who is 35-0 at 220 pounds. Kellen Cleveland is 31-9 at 195, Kegan Calkins is 27-9 at 106 pounds, Kaelen Bradford is 26-13 at 182 and Sean Cleveland is 22-8 at 170. Sean Murray (18-6 at 126) and Elan Ramos (14-10 at 132) could also be in competition for a sectional berth.
WHEATON WARRENVILLE SOUTH
CLASS 3A
REGIONAL Naperville North, Feb. 4
SECTIONAL Glenbard North (individual), Feb. 11; West Aurora (team), Feb. 21
OUTLOOK The loss of an outstanding senior class to graduation coupled with another extended football run gave Wheaton Warrenville South plenty of obstacles to overcome this winter.
And though the Tigers struggled to a 6-15 record in dual meets against a very tough schedule, the squad is poised to make some noise at the Naperville North regional.
While the team title is up in the air, Wheaton Warrenville South has a definite shot to advance a host of individuals to the sectional. Topping that list is a pair of seniors in Steven Franke and Evan Welsh, both of whom have lofty aspirations. Franke is 26-3 at 170 pounds while Welsh is 20-1 at 182.
Patrick McFadden (22-9 at 138) and Ramond King (18-10 at 145) have also had a lot of success for the Tigers.
“There are some very tough teams (at the regional),” said coach Matt Janosek, “and we are one of them vying for the championship. Individually, our goal is to give 100 percent every match and the results will take care of themselves.”
ST. FRANCIS
CLASS 2A
REGIONAL LaSalle-Peru, Feb. 4
SECTIONAL Sterling (individual), Feb. 11; Sycamore (team), Feb. 21
OUTLOOK In only the second year of the rebirth of the program, St. Francis mainly wrestled a JV schedule this winter but did go 3-3 in varsity dual meets. The Spartans will take a step up in competition at the regional facing the likes of state-ranked Marmion and Yorkville, but the experience gained will only help for the future.
The squad is led by seniors Enrique Lam and Trevor Pirics at 170- and 152-pounds, respectively, while juniors Dan Howard (145) and Alex Alcantara (132) and sophomore Mike Andelbradt (220) have also been major contributors. Record-wise, freshman Cole Cunningham (285) tops St. Francis with an 18-2 combined record.
WEST CHICAGO
CLASS 3A
REGIONAL West Chicago, Feb. 4
SECTIONAL Glenbard North (individual), Feb. 11; West Aurora (team), Feb. 21
OUTLOOK Coming off a successful regular season, which included an 11-8 mark in dual meets, the Wildcats will host one of the tougher regionals in the state.
Defending Class 3A champion Glenbard North is the favorite for the team crown with the likes of Geneva, Bartlett, Glenbard West, Glenbard East, Willowbrook and Wheaton North also competing.
Individually, West Chicago has high hopes of advancing wrestlers to the sectional, led by the Svestka brothers. Sophomore Tyler is 30-4 at 120 pounds, junior Robert is 24-5 at 138 and freshman Tommy is 21-6 at 106. Others with a shot at moving on are senior Franky Correa (22-9 at 132), senior Dan King (23-13 at 170) and junior John Carlos (23-10 at 285).
“As a team, if we can finish somewhere in the middle of the team standings, it’ll be a good day for our program,” said coach Humberto Ayala. “Individually, I’m hoping we can have four or five make it to sectionals and possibly two or three make it downstate. Tyler and Robert made the trip downstate last year and it would be great to have someone make it on the awards stand in Champaign.”
WHEATON ACADEMY
CLASS 1A
REGIONAL Harvard, Feb. 4
SECTIONAL Byron (individual), Feb. 11; Oregon (team), Feb. 21
OUTLOOK In only its third year of rebuilding the program, Wheaton Academy has shown vast improvement on the mats this winter. The Warriors posted a dual meet record of 8-10-1 despite not having enough depth to fill an entire line-up.
With the forfeiture of weight classes and the presence of state-ranked Harvard expected to keep the squad away from competing for a regional championship, the goal will be to get individuals through to the sectional. Leading that charge will be Alex Budzisz, who is 27-6 at 145 pounds and Liam McClelland, 21-9 at 106. Peter Ferrill (16-4 at 195) and John Gemmel (12-4 at 160) have also had nice seasons.
“As a young team, we have greatly improved,” said coach Jeff McFarland. “We have some great freshman who are developing, improving and moving up and we hope to get some other athletes back after their injuries have healed. We are very fortunate to have outstanding support from our athletic director and our parents.”
