:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/ENZUIV5IAXPY3SY4NR4ZW57HBI.jpg)
Fox Valley Conference
Cary-Grove
Coach: William Petersen (First year)
Last season: 4-13 dual record
Top returners: Cadin Koeppel, jr.; Dennis Woodring, sr.; Adam Pinter, jr.; Ryan Ratkovich, sr.; Hayden Hill, sr.
Key newcomers: Wally Marsh, jr.
Noteworthy: The Trojans have a new head coach for the second consecutive season and will have to replace graduated three-time state qualifier John Cullen. Cary-Grove will be led by returning sectional qualifiers Koeppel, Pinter and Woodring.
Crystal Lake Central
Coach: Justen Lehr (12th year)
Last season: 21-8 dual record, FVC Fox dual champion, regional champion, fourth at dual team state
Top returners: Brock Montford, so., 113 pounds; Connor Burns, jr., 126; Austin Ernd, jr., 132; Lenny Peteresen, sr., 138; Frank Carone, jr., 160; Braden Bisram, jr., 170; Liam O’Donnell, jr., 182; Seamus O’Donnell, jr., 195
Key newcomers: Michael Locasio, so., 120; Eduardo Diaz Barragan, sr., 145; Brenden Parks, fr., 152, Jesse Gutierrez, sr., 220, Wyatt Blake, jr., 285
Noteworthy: After having a very young team last year, the Tigers will start primarily juniors this season. The key senior leader is Lenny Petersen, the area’s only returning state champion who recently signed to wrestle at Air Force. The junior-heavy lineup isn’t inexperienced, however, as the Tigers started eight underclassmen last season when they took fourth at dual team state. The Tigers will have the addition of Wyatt Blake, a standout lineman on the football team, at heavyweight. Lehr takes a long-view approach to the season, saying the goal is “compete, work hard and prepare for the postseason.”
Crystal Lake South
Coach: Ross Ryan (10th year)
Last season: 3-24 dual record
Top returners: Vinny Fontanetta, sr., 195; Shahyan Malik, sr., 160, Dom Bolanos, sr. 195; Anthony Castro, sr. 126
Key newcomers: Peyton Timmons, fr., 106; Collen Pedersen, sr., 170; Mohamed Elmeligi, jr., 160; David Hernandez, sr., 152; Noah Laney, so., 285
Noteworthy: The Gators were young last year and struggled because of it. “I feel that last year we reached the bottom of the cycle, and this year, we will start building momentum and rebuilding,” Ryan said. Fontanetta leads the way after reaching a Class 3A sectional and winning 24 matches.
Dundee-Crown
Coach: Tim Hayes (Second year)
Last season: 9-18 dual record
Top returners: Chase Raap, sr., 182
Key newcomers: Gabriel Scales, fr., 106; Ricardo Zambrano, so., 113; Brandon Rico, jr., 120; Jose Gutierrez, so., 126; Callen Schmeiser, so., 132; Colin Mays, so., 138; Weston Leith, so., 145; Gabe Kurzynski, so., 220
Noteworthy: The Chargers will be young and looking to replace undefeated state champion Christian Brunner. “This year is about building that team unity and developing our technique for years to come,” Hayes said. “We will be looking for leadership from our few seniors, like Chase Raap. Chase is in for a big season. He missed qualifying to state by a point last year and is driven to not only qualify, but to medal down state this season.” Raap went 37-9 last season.
Hampshire
Coach: Brian Iossi (Second year)
Last season: 13-7 dual record
Top returners: Christian Rivero, so., 106; Casey Allen, jr., 138;, Max McGowan, sr., 160; Pawel Barnas, sr., 285
Key newcomers: Andrew Tiedt, so., 195/220; Dominic Senese, jr., 195/220
Noteworthy: Casey Allen was a state qualifier last season, won a regional title and more than 30 matches. Barnas and McGowan also won 30-plus matches a year ago. “We are still a young team, but we are a young team with some experience from last year, and I think that will suit us well,” Iossi said. “We have a much tougher dual team and tournament schedule this season, so while we may not see as much success in the win column, we are going to get better every time we step onto the mat. I think that sets up some of our guys for a great run down the stretch and into the state series.”
Huntley
Coach: BJ Bertelsman (Sixth year)
Last season: 19-7 dual record, won FVC tournament
Top returners: Josh Stenger, sr., 126; Zach Spencer, jr., 120; Brad Zbilski, jr., 152; Joey Armijo, sr., 132; Justin Allen, jr., 182/195; Juan Quiroz, jr., 152, Gannon Kosowski, so., 120-132
Key newcomers: Sammy Spencer, fr., 106; David Ferrante, fr., 145/152
Noteworthy: The Red Raiders bring back much of a lineup that lost only one FVC dual, won the conference tournament and sent four to state last season. While graduated state qualifiers at 195 and 285 mean the upper weights are the most uncertain part of Huntley’s lineup, they should be strong from the lower weights through the middle of the lineup. Returning state medalist Stenger leads the way, expecting to get back on the podium, along with returning qualifier Spencer, who Bertelsman said could push for a podium spot. The coach has high hopes for newcomer Sammy Spencer and Ferrante, both youth state champions who he thinks could qualify for state.
Jacobs
Coach: Gary Conrad (Fifth year)
Last season: 15-0 dual record, FVC Valley dual champion
Top returners: Beau Harrier, sr.; Jacob Sabella, sr.; David Dudych, sr.
Key newcomer: Jake Harrier, fr.
Noteworthy: The Golden Eagles went undefeated in duals last season, winning the FVC Valley Division outright for the first time. They will, however, have to replace five seniors from last season’s lineup, including all three of their state qualifiers. They will be toughest in the lighter weights, led by Beau Harrier, a conference and regional champion who fell just short of reaching state. Sabella and Dudych are returning sectional qualifiers. Conrad said that while the Golden Eagles may have hit a peak as a team last year, he thinks they could be in for stronger individual performances this season, and their goal is for someone to get the program’s first medal since 2004.
McHenry
Coach: Jake Guardalabene (First year)
Last season: 15-10 dual record
Top returners: Lucas Busse, sr., 120; Matt Gutierrez, sr., 106; Jake Leske, jr., 182; Cesar Lopez, sr., 152; Geoff Cagle, jr., 285; AJ Sweeney, sr., 220/285
Key newcomers: Anthony Jaden Glauser, fr., 170; Tyler Lowrey, so., 138; Austin Noles, so., 132
Noteworthy: Guardalabene takes over for longtime McHenry coach Will Gaddy, who stepped down last season after 21 years in charge of the Warriors. The transition should be smooth, however, as Guardalabene was a former assistant to Gaddy and was promoted to associate head coach last season, effectively auditioning for the job. Busse is a returning state qualifier, and Gutierrez and Leske made it to sectionals last season. Busse also was an FVC champion last season. “We have a good core of experienced wrestlers returning along with some talented younger guys that have been working hard in the offseason,” Guardalabene said.
Prairie Ridge
Coach: Eric Hunt (First year)
Last season: 15-2 dual record
Top returners: Eric Comstock, sr., 145; Trey Fowler, sr., 138; Nick Fetzner, jr., 170; Dean Reid, jr., 160; Phil Koenig, jr., 195; Jace Sparks, so., 120; Trey Piotrowski, so., 138; Drake Regenhardt, so., 152
Key newcomers: Jared Colwell, so., 145; Kyle Koelblinger, fr., 145; Josh Crandall, fr., 160
Noteworthy: The Wolves will miss undefeated state champion Travis Piotrowski but have a strong group back, led by Fetzner and Sparks, who were state qualifiers last season, as well as the younger Piotrowski brother, who had a good freshman year until suffering an injury late in the season. Hunt comes back to Prairie Ridge, where he was an assistant for five years, after a one-year stint as an assistant at Huntley. The new head coach believes the Wolves again could send three to five wrestlers to state and expects them to contend for a strong dual record again.
Kishwaukee River Conference
Harvard
Coach: David Schultz (First year)
Last season: 20-12 dual record
Top returners: Justin Wilcox, sr.; Josh Fiegel, sr.
Noteworthy: Schultz is the third new head coach in three years, but his legacy suggests he will be sticking around. Schultz wrestled at Harvard and was a state runner-up at 275 pounds in 2001. The Hornets had highs and lows last season – winning their own tournament, sending five to state, but also multiple athletes’ season ended by scary injuries and losing the conference title to rival Marengo. This year they are led by returning state qualifiers in Wilcox and Fiegel (who also won a regional title). “I am looking forward to seeing where the guys take us this year,” Schultz said. “Everyone came in with a great attitude, and they have been working hard to continue to get better every day. Our seniors are providing the leadership that we need to keep our program going in the right direction.”
Johnsburg
Coach: Todd Ramberg (First year)
Last season: 17-15 dual record
Top returners: Austin Butler, jr., 160/170; Matt Tobin, jr., 145/152; Jack Clauson, so., 132/138; Joey Calhoun, jr., 152/160; Fred Fuchs, jr., 152/160; Riley Buchanan, sr., 170/182; Alex Peete, sr., 182/195; Valentino Mendoza, jr., 182/195; Joe Moore, sr., 220; Dylan Hess, sr., 285
Key newcomers: Daniel Calhoun, fr., 126/132; Ethan Shedbalker, fr., 138/145; Justin Peake, fr., 145/152; Jack Kegel, jr., 170/182
Noteworthy: Ramberg comes to Johnsburg after five years as an assistant at Harvard. He said he believes the Skyhawks can challenge for conference and regional titles if wrestlers step up at the lower weights and make progress throughout the season. Austin Butler leads the returning Skyhawks after qualifying for state and winning 30-plus matches last season. Matt Tobin also was a sectional qualifier last season.
Marengo
Coach: Tim Kefer (11th year)
Last season: 18-3 dual record, BNC East champions
Top returners: Joe Mier, sr.; Landen Pfeiffer, jr.; Cameron Miller, so.; Kenny Reed, jr.; O’Neil Swanson, jr.; Josh Widmayer, jr.; Chris Botzoc, jr.; Rich Botzoc, jr.; Michael Vega-Perez, sr.; James Mier, jr.
Key newcomers: Storm Ince, jr.; Stan Dawiec, so.; Aaron Recendez, sr.; Jake Doyle, fr.; Peter Martynowicz, so.; Joe Recendez, fr.
Noteworthy: The Indians had only four seniors on the roster last season when they won the first conference championship in school history, meaning this season’s team has a wealth of match experience. Keefer said he’s excited to see what the talented roster can do with some seasoning. Overall, they bring back two state qualifiers, six sectional qualifiers and nine members of last season’s lineup. Led by returning state qualifiers Joe Mier and Pfeiffer, the Indians should be among the favorites for the first KRC title.
Richmond-Burton
Coach: Tony Nelson (Second year)
Last season: 10-16 dual record
Top returners: Brenden Kaminscky, so., 120; Chase Duncan, so., 126; Gavin Sutton, sr., 145; Joey Kaht, jr., 152
Key newcomers: Zach Suhr, sr., 220/195
Noteworthy: The Rockets are led by state runner-up Sutton, who went 41-4 last year, has qualified for state all three years of his high school career (medaling twice) and moves up to 145 pounds. He will be expecting to make another podium run, shooting for the state title that has eluded him thus far. Sutton, Kaminscky, Duncan and Kaht all won at least 20 matches last season, and Nelson said they are aiming for state qualification. “This is a hard-working group with some young wrestlers looking to break out,” Nelson said.
Woodstock
Coach: Jonathon Grell (Seventh year)
Last season: 5-15 dual record
Key newcomers: Tanner Heidtke, jr., 160; Javier Villalobos, jr., 285; Aidan Jacobs, so., 182; Conner Menzel, so., 170; Steven Cunningham, jr., 132; Nolan Adams, so., 126; Paxson Dechnat, sr., 160.
Noteworthy: The Blue Streaks’ varsity roster was made up entirely of seniors last season, making this season’s team extremely young. Grell emphasized how green the group is, but said they are “learning a lot and hungry to do well in a new conference.” They will have to start by replacing three state qualifiers, including an FVC champion and state medalist.
Woodstock North
Coach: Tim Creighton (Second year)
Last season: 12-7 dual record
Top returners: Chris Flores, jr., 220; Nicco Mazzanti, jr., 152; Brian Kline, jr., 170; Cole Walkington, so., 120; Eddie Flores, so., 145
Key newcomers: Carter Miller, fr., 106; Aaron Montgomery, fr., 138
Noteworthy: The Thunder are extremely young, with one senior on the varsity roster, after graduating two state qualifiers from last season. Leading the returners are Flores, who was a state qualifier last season, along with sectional qualifiers Mazzanti and Walkington. “We are a very young team, however, the guys have bought into our system and feel confident we can compete,” Creighton said. “I’m confident that with the hard work put in so far and the goals the boys have set for themselves, we will have a successful season again this year.”
East Suburban Catholic Conference
Marian Central
Coach: David Silva (First year)
Last season: 10-10 dual record
Top returners: Anthony Randazzo, jr., 132; Adam Konopka, sr., 160/170; Connor Smith, sr., 285; Zach Gustafson, jr., 195; Cade Bakowy, so., 138
Key newcomers: Daniel Valeria, fr., 120; Anthony Silva, sr., 145; Luke Silva, jr., 152
Noteworthy: The Hurricanes lost two state qualifiers but have a good core back, led by two-time state qualifier Randazzo, who was a regional champion, sectional runner-up and state qualifier last season. Also coming back are Bakowy, who reached sectionals, plus Smith, Gustafson and Konopka, who all had at least 18 wins. They will be bolstered by incoming transfers of two state qualifiers. Luke Silva was a sectional champion and state qualifier at Prairie Ridge last season. Anthony Silva was a regional champion and state qualifier at Hononegah last season. New coach David Silva has deep roots in the area’s wrestling history. He was a standout at Dundee-Crown, winning four FVC championships, qualifying for state three times, medaling once and holding the record for career wins until last season.
Northeastern Athletic Conference
Alden-Hebron
Coach: John Cashmore (Third year)
Last season: No dual wins because of low roster numbers
Top returners: Justin Strand, so., 145; David Reiter, jr., 145
Key newcomers: AJ Brewer, fr., 182; Spencer Stanley, fr., 126
Noteworthy: The Giants hope Colten Cashmore’s state title last year (the first in school history) will help inspire more kids to come out for wrestling. As it is, coach John Cashmore is encouraged by what he has seen early in practice. “This is a hardworking group with high expectations,” coach John Cashmore said. “The first couple of weeks of practice have gone well, and we expect all our wrestlers to be very competitive.” Strand leads the way after a strong freshman season that saw him win a Class 1A regional title and pick up a win at his sectional but fall short of state.