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VALLEY DIVISION
Cary-Grove
Coach: Ryan Ludwig (fourth season)
Last season: Third in the FVC meet; fifth at McHenry Regional
Top returners: Michael Cullen (sr., 126); Sean Cullen (jr., 132); John Cullen (jr., 138); Dale Charlier (sr., 138/145); Michael Altendorf (sr., 138/145); Grant Glueck (jr., 145/152); Michael Gomez (sr., 285).
Key newcomers: Adam Pinter (fr., 106); Nick Gerstbrien (fr., 106); Cadin Koeppel (fr., 170).
About the Trojans: Michael Cullen, a Wisconsin commit, returns as a three-time state place winner, taking fifth last season. The Trojans still have a number of wrestlers in football pads with the team playing in the Class 7A championship on Saturday.
Crystal Lake South
Coach: Ross Ryan (eighth season)
Last season: Second in the FVC meet; fourth at McHenry Regional
Top returners: Dan Castablanco (so., 126); Garrett Dziedzic (sr., 132); Frank Woods (jr., 138); Eric Barone (sr., 145); Ethan Weinandy (jr., 160); Roland Gastfield (sr., 220).
Key newcomers: Joel Bennett (so., 106); Joey Riess (so., 113); Justin Kattner (jr., 152); Bubba Gardeck (sr., 195); Buddy Gabric (jr., 285).
About the Gators: Barone qualified for state the past two seasons and placed fifth last season. Dziedzic also returns as a state qualifier. The Gators have won the FVC Valley Division title for three consecutive years.
Dundee-Crown
Coach: Matthew Wahl (first season)
Last season: Fifth in the FVC meet; third at DeKalb Regional
Top returners: Diamond Flynn (sr., 106); Adam Gutierrez (sr., 126); Armando Gutierrez (sr., 160); Jarrod Raap (sr., 170); Christian Brunner (jr., 182).
Key newcomers: Quinton Willingham (so., 113); Taborist Robinson (sr., 138); Brett Peters (sr., 220); Christian Rodriguez (jr., 285).
About the Chargers: Brunner placed second at state last season at 182. The Chargers lost some strength to graduation but Wahl is looking to build with a strong JV squad from last season.
Huntley
Coach: B.J. Bertelsman (fourth season)
Last season: Sixth in the FVC meet; fourth at DeKalb Regional
Returning varsity wrestlers: Josh Stenger (so., 113); Ricky Vigil (sr., 132); Chris Gamboa (sr., 138); Brandon Meyer (sr. 145); Jestoni Losbanes (sr., 170); C.J. Darby (sr., 182); Petros Mihalopoulos (jr., 195); Mike Walker (sr., 220).
Key newcomers: Zach Spencer (fr., 106); Juan Quiroz (fr., 120); Riley Brands (so., 126).
About the Red Raiders: The Raiders have an experienced lineup, including six senior starters – three who have wrestled on varsity for four years. Bertelsman said they are wrestling a tough schedule this season and are looking to challenge for an FVC title.
Jacobs
Coach: Gary Conrad (third season)
Last season: Seventh in the FVC meet; sixth at DeKalb Regional
Top returners: Cody Ferencz (sr., 120); Beau Harrier (so., 113); David Dudych (so., 126); Chris Dranka (jr., 132); Michael Ricks (sr., 160); Carson Shoemaker (sr., 285).
Key newcomers: Tyler Lane (fr. 106).
About the Golden Eagles: Conrad is expecting a good season from his squad and is excited about a large freshman class. He said that many on the team worked hard during the offseason and is hoping that results in getting multiple wrestlers down state.
McHenry
Coach: Will Gaddy (20th season)
Last season: Fourth in the FVC meet; third at McHenry Regional
Top returners: Ian Mullen (sr., 106); Britches Sikula (sr., 113); Luke Busse (so., 120); Robby Duh (sr., 126); Derek Neises (jr., 132); Carter Herber (sr., 138); Nick Wegner (jr., 145); Pat Roewer (sr., 160); Rafael Peralta (sr., 170); Cam Pait (sr., 170); Ryan Grannemann (sr., 195); Josh Little (jr., 220).
Key newcomers: Mike Conlon (jr., 120); Trace Conlon (jr., 126); Jacob Brush (so., 145); Matt Nagel (jr., 160); Zach Sielck (jr., 182); Brandon Pasternak (sr., 285).
About the Warriors: Ian Mullen, a state qualifier last season, leads an experienced team that includes 14 returning varsity lettermen and nine seniors likely to be in the starting lineup. The Warriors were 19-5 in duals last season.