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Elmhurst, IL —
MONTINI
CLASS 2A
REGIONAL Evergreen Park, Saturday, Feb. 4
SECTIONAL Lemont (individual), Saturday, Feb. 11; Fenton (team), Tuesday, Feb. 21
OUTLOOK
Since 1993, Montini has won nine state championships as well as a Class AA runner-up in 2007, and a pair of Class A third-place finishes in 1996 and 1998. The Broncos have a 485-45 record over the last 17 years and are currently ranked No. 1 in Class 2A according to illinoismatmen.com.
Montini has won four straight dual team state titles and many more individual crowns. This weekend’s Evergreen Park regional will provide an opportunity to sustain the program’s tradition. Leading the Broncos are Tommy Pawelski (No. 2 at 106 pounds), Kevon Powell (No. 2 at 120), Michael Sepke (No. 2 at 126), Chris Garcia (No. 2 at 132), Edgar Ruano (No. 2 at 220), Drew Vrbenec (No. 3 at 138), Jordan Laster (No. 4 at 113), Conor Winel (No. 5 at 170), Xavier Montalvo (No. 7 at 145), Jake Turk (No. 9 at 182) and Anthony Ferraro (No. 9 at 195).
Last season, Powell finished second at state at 112, Garcia was third at 125, Pawelski came in fourth place at 103, Vrbenec was a state qualifier at 135 and Ruano qualified at 215. Sepke was one win away from qualifying for state at 130.
The Broncos’ bid for a fifth-straight state title could be challenged Saturday by Lemont, which is the No. 2 team in the state. Only one of them can advance to sectionals as a team.
YORK
CLASS 3A
REGIONAL Leyden, Saturday, Feb. 4
SECTIONAL De La Salle (individual), Saturday, Feb. 11; Oak Park-River Forest (team), Tuesday, Feb. 21
OUTLOOK After closing out the regular season with a 30-23 West Suburban Silver conference win over Downers Grove North, York now looks to the postseason.
The Dukes have won eight regional titles under head coach Terry Clarke. But Oak Park-River Forest, the top-ranked team in Class 3A according to illinoismatmen.com, will make it very difficult for the Dukes to advance to sectionals as a team.
Leading the bid for individual sectional berths are Troy Valdez is ranked No. 4 at 132, Noah Fleckenstein is No. 15 at 195, Sergio Lopez is No. 17 at 160, Brandon Kupczyk is No. 20 at 126 and Denzel King is No. 19 at 120. Last season, Valdez qualified for the state meet at 135 pounds and finished 2010-11 with a 38-9 record. King qualified for sectionals at 112 and finished the year with a 31-17 mark. Ryan Bowman (126) came in fourth place at regionals at 103 while Joe Giordano (220) had the same finish at 215. York graduated state qualifiers RJ Kleinhans (171) and Jim Nudera (189).
GLENBARD EAST
CLASS 3A
REGIONAL West Chicago, Saturday, Feb. 4
SECTIONAL Glenbard North (individual), Saturday, Feb. 11; West Aurora (team), Tuesday, Feb. 21
OUTLOOK Angelo San Juan is ranked No. 8 at 113 pounds while Josh Martin holds the same ranking at 126, according to illinoismatmen.com. Jake Drew is ranked No. 11 at 106.
MONTINI
CLASS 2A
REGIONAL Evergreen Park, Saturday, Feb. 4
SECTIONAL Lemont (individual), Saturday, Feb. 11; Fenton (team), Tuesday, Feb. 21
OUTLOOK
Since 1993, Montini has won nine state championships as well as a Class AA runner-up in 2007, and a pair of Class A third-place finishes in 1996 and 1998. The Broncos have a 485-45 record over the last 17 years and are currently ranked No. 1 in Class 2A according to illinoismatmen.com.
Montini has won four straight dual team state titles and many more individual crowns. This weekend’s Evergreen Park regional will provide an opportunity to sustain the program’s tradition. Leading the Broncos are Tommy Pawelski (No. 2 at 106 pounds), Kevon Powell (No. 2 at 120), Michael Sepke (No. 2 at 126), Chris Garcia (No. 2 at 132), Edgar Ruano (No. 2 at 220), Drew Vrbenec (No. 3 at 138), Jordan Laster (No. 4 at 113), Conor Winel (No. 5 at 170), Xavier Montalvo (No. 7 at 145), Jake Turk (No. 9 at 182) and Anthony Ferraro (No. 9 at 195).
Last season, Powell finished second at state at 112, Garcia was third at 125, Pawelski came in fourth place at 103, Vrbenec was a state qualifier at 135 and Ruano qualified at 215. Sepke was one win away from qualifying for state at 130.
The Broncos’ bid for a fifth-straight state title could be challenged Saturday by Lemont, which is the No. 2 team in the state. Only one of them can advance to sectionals as a team.
YORK
CLASS 3A
REGIONAL Leyden, Saturday, Feb. 4
SECTIONAL De La Salle (individual), Saturday, Feb. 11; Oak Park-River Forest (team), Tuesday, Feb. 21
OUTLOOK After closing out the regular season with a 30-23 West Suburban Silver conference win over Downers Grove North, York now looks to the postseason.
The Dukes have won eight regional titles under head coach Terry Clarke. But Oak Park-River Forest, the top-ranked team in Class 3A according to illinoismatmen.com, will make it very difficult for the Dukes to advance to sectionals as a team.
Leading the bid for individual sectional berths are Troy Valdez is ranked No. 4 at 132, Noah Fleckenstein is No. 15 at 195, Sergio Lopez is No. 17 at 160, Brandon Kupczyk is No. 20 at 126 and Denzel King is No. 19 at 120. Last season, Valdez qualified for the state meet at 135 pounds and finished 2010-11 with a 38-9 record. King qualified for sectionals at 112 and finished the year with a 31-17 mark. Ryan Bowman (126) came in fourth place at regionals at 103 while Joe Giordano (220) had the same finish at 215. York graduated state qualifiers RJ Kleinhans (171) and Jim Nudera (189).
GLENBARD EAST
CLASS 3A
REGIONAL West Chicago, Saturday, Feb. 4
SECTIONAL Glenbard North (individual), Saturday, Feb. 11; West Aurora (team), Tuesday, Feb. 21
OUTLOOK Angelo San Juan is ranked No. 8 at 113 pounds while Josh Martin holds the same ranking at 126, according to illinoismatmen.com. Jake Drew is ranked No. 11 at 106.
Earlier this season, San Juan, a returning state qualifier, won the Urbana tournament and came in second at the Palatine tournament. Drew won both at Urbana and Palatine. Andy Smajic (152) was a sectional qualifier at 140 in 2010-11.
The Rams’ last regional title came during 2009-10. Glenbard North is the heavy favorite for the team title Saturday after winning the state crown last season. Bartlett, Geneva, Glenbard West, St. Charles East, West Chicago, Wheaton North and Willowbrook will also be there Saturday.
WILLOWBROOK
CLASS 3A
REGIONAL West Chicago, Saturday, Feb. 4
SECTIONAL Glenbard North (individual), Saturday, Feb. 11; West Aurora (team), Tuesday, Feb. 21
OUTLOOK Cornell-bound senior Steve Congenie went undefeated two years ago to claim the Class 3A title at 152 pounds. Last season, he lost just once on his way to the 171 crown.
However, Congenie suffered a torn ACL to his left knee over the summer, and earlier in January, he was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Willowbrook will continue to move forward when it competes at this weekend’s regional. According to illinoismatmen.com, Dan Rowland is ranked No. 2 at 160, Jake Kroeger is ranked No. 11 at 152 and Daniel Draski is No. 15 at 220.
Willowbrook graduated Class 3A sectional qualifiers Dan McLean and Chris Schulte. The Warriors last qualified for the dual team state meet in 1998-99 in Class AA. They finished that year with a 26-1 overall record. This Saturday’s regional field includes defending state champion Glenbard North.
