:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/XASVOZIAU5GSJGWDSHFK7GYH3I.JPG)
Sycamore Spartans
Head coach: Randy Colton
Top returners: Cooper Bode, jr., Jayden Dohogne, so., Tyler Lockhart, jr., Charlie Olson, so., Michael Olson, jr.
Top newcomers: Dylan Curtis, fr., Colin Hughes, fr., Maddox McRoberts, fr., Clyde Nott, fr., Carson West, fr.
Worth noting: The Spartans have a lot of heart but they are also quite young which make things challenging due to the number of quality wrestlers and teams on Sycamore’s schedule. They’ll try to remain healthy while introducing five freshmen to the varsity squad. Juniors Tyler Lockhart (31-10) and Cooper Bode (27-11) and sophomore Jayden Dohogne (30-16) are their most successful wrestlers returning.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/B5UHWAXA4ND7TC2EV6BALJ22BA.jpg)
DeKalb Barbs
Head coach: Sam Hiatt
Top returners: Hudson Ikens, sr., Kaden Klapprodt, sr., Sean Kolkebeck, sr.,
Top newcomers: Julian Hernandez, fr., Preston Kjel, fr.
Worth noting: Hudson Ikens (34-14, 155), Kaden Klapprodt (25-19, 106), and Sean Kolkebeck (38-14, 171) return for their senior years after qualifying for state a season ago. The Barbs return 7 other starters along with those three and welcome an outstanding freshmen class that won the IESA state championship last year. “Expectations are high once again and we have big aspirations for this team,” Barbs coach Sam Hiatt said. Barbs will host the Flavin Invite on Dec. 27-28.
Kaneland Knights
Head coach: Brennan Keifer
Top returners: Alex Gochis, sr., Jack Gruber, jr., Jack Parker, jr., Caden Vanik, sr.,
Top newcomers: None listed.
Worth noting: New coach Brennan Keifer, who is a Kaneland grad, has assembled a strong staff with Chris Kerwin (Indiana University/Sycamore), Riley Vanik (St. Could State/Kaneland) and George Strang (Loras/Kaneland). “I have had the opportunity to help hire on new assistant coaches,” Keifer said. “(They) were, and are all phenomenal wrestlers at the collegiate level. They are going to be a massive asset to this team.” Senior Alex Gochis (43-8) narrowly qualified for state last year. Fellow senior Caden Vanik and juniors Jack Gruber and Jack Parker are the Knights top wrestlers who have returned.
Genoa-Kingston Cogs
Head coach: Stew Burke
Top returners: Kaleb Lancaster, so., 106; Chris Rodas, sr., 132
Top newcomers: EJ Kennedy, fr.
Worth noting: The Cogs had three sectional qualifiers last year, including Brady Brewick who placed third in the state at 165 pounds. Brewick and the other two have graduated. Senior Chris Rodas and sophomore Kaleb Lancaster return while EJ Kennedy is a promising freshman who placed at state at heavyweight in middle school. Participating numbers for the sport are up at the school with coach Stew Burke reporting that there are a lot of young wrestlers now in the program, “Lots of youth on the roster,” he said. “But lots of promise and potential as well.”