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Fox Valley Conference
Fox Division
Crystal Lake Central
Coach: Justen Lehr (sixth season)
Last year: Fourth in the FVC Meet; first at Hampshire Regional
Top returners: Logan Lundelius (jr., 145), Sebas Macedo (so., 152), Kyle Fugiel (jr., 160), Mike Zelasco (sr., 182), Andrew Marsden (jr., 195), Romeo McKnight (so., 220/285), Connor Hines (sr., 220/285).
Key newcomers: Lenny Petersen (fr., 120), Mike Peterson (fr., 138), Justin Valee (sr., 170).
About the Tigers: Marsden and Zelasco both placed at state last season. Central looks to be tough with a strong returning lineup and some talented newcomers.
Grayslake Central
Coach: Dan Catanzaro (fourth season)
Last year: 10th in the FVC Meet; seventh at Lakes Regional
Top returners: Kurt Radke (sr., 113), Larry Augustin (so., 132), Zak Molitor (sr., 132), Jonathan Makey (jr., 145), Shivam Chokshi (jr., 170), David Thiel (jr., 182), Ben Celeslie (sr., 220).
Key newcomers: Jeff Morrow (sr., 120), Joey Tarnowski (so., 126), Kevin Hoelscher (jr., 285).
About the Rams: Makey returns as the only state and sectional qualifier. Morrow joins the Rams as a transfer from Elgin where he was state alternate at 106 last year.
Grayslake North
Coach: Ryan West (third season)
Last year’s finish: 12th in the FVC Meet; sixth at Lakes Regional
Top returners: Jake Wright (so., 126), Colton Deatherage (sr., 132), Austin Cloe (jr., 145), Zac Juron (sr., 152), Cody Sawyer (jr., 170).
Key newcomers: Joe Arroyo (fr., 106), Eric Brillion (sr., 113), Chase Deatherage (fr., 113), Diego Rodriguez (so., 160), Aaron Elsing (jr., 160), Yazan Awaisi (sr., 220), Victor Carranza (285).
About the Knights: Wright and Zuron return as sectional qualifiers. The squad has grown from 30 two years ago to more than 75 this season.
Hampshire
Coach: Terry Wilkinson (sixth season)
Last year: 11th in the FVC Meet; fifth at Hampshire Regional
Top returners: Kyle Szlenk (so., 106/113), Wylie Allen (so., 120), Anton Krocko (jr., 170/182).
Key newcomers: Jake Szlenk (fr., 106), Max McGowan (fr., 145).
About the Whip-Purs: Youth is the word for the Whips this season with a roster dominated by freshmen and sophomores. Krocko returns as a state qualifier.
Johnsburg
Coach: Jon Murphy (first season)
Last year: Ninth in the FVC Meet; second at Hampshire Regional
Top returners: Nash Miller (jr., 126), Branden Peshek (jr., 132), Jarret Wolff (sr., 145), Anthony Moore (so., 152/160), Eric Juveland-(so., 152/160), Justin Clavey (so., 160/170), Eric Wagner (jr., 182/195).
Key newcomers: Trevor Krahel (fr., 106), Brandon Hassenbuehler (so., 113), Andrew Calhoun (fr., 138), Riley Buchanan (fr., 145), Alex Peete (fr., 152), Tim Pekovic (sr., 182), Nathan Fowler (jr., 220), Sean Koshall (jr., 285).
About the Skyhawks: Peshek returns as a two-time state qualifier. With a young lineup to begin with and the addition of talented freshman, the Hawks look to gain experience as the season progresses. Murphy takes over the program after being an assistant at Johnsburg and Crystal Lake Central.
Woodstock
Coach: John Grell (fourth season)
Last year: 13th in the FVC Meet; fifth at Hampshire Regional
Top returners: Kevin Zange (so., 145/152), Nick Sundberg (so., 152/160), Alan Hafer (sr., 160/170), Ryan Plourde (sr., 170/182), Alex Johnson (sr., 182/195).
Key newcomers: Joe Kruse (jr., 132/138), Dalton Bennett (jr., 132/138), Jack Fischbach (jr., 145), Eli Kruse (so., 152/160), Mike Cambio (jr., 145/152), Gus Siebert (jr., 170/182), Martin Halilaj (so., 182).
About the Blue Streaks: Grell said he has a lot of wrestlers out but many are at the same weight. This is ideal for the practice room but makes getting quality mat time for his wrestlers difficult. Zange, Sundberg, Hafer and Plourde return as sectional qualifiers.
Woodstock North
Coach: Nathan Zentner (first season)
Last year: 14th in the FVC Meet; fourth at Hampshire Regional
Top returners: Dakota Garza (so., 126), Gerardo Ortiz (so., 126), Jared Zientz (so., 126), Jake Fiorito (so., 132), Jesse Cordoba (so., 138), Cody Kupsik (sr., 152), Kyle Mule (so., 152), Dillon Kline (sr., 170), Randall Kline (so., 170), Cody Barnes (jr., 220).
Key newcomers: Brandon Cintron (fr., 106), Nathan Estrada (fr., 113), Wesley Ford (fr., 120), Casey Dycus (fr., 132), Nicholas Kuretski (fr., 145), Dion Surma (fr., 195), Bastian Timm (sr., 285).
About the Thunder: Barnes returns after becoming the first Woodstock North wrestler to qualify for state last season. Zentner wants to add some stability to the program that has had a revolving door for coaches the past several years.
Valley Division
Cary-Grove
Coach: Ryan Ludwig (third season)
Last year: Second in FVC Meet; third at Lake Zurich Regional
Top returners: Michael Cullen (jr., 113/120), Logan Hanselmann (sr., 120/126), John Cullen (so., 120/126), Matt Hughes (sr., 152/160), Emerson Kersten (sr., 171/182), Josh Dermont (sr., 171/182).
Key newcomers: Sean Cullen (so. 126/132), Dale Charlier (jr., 132/138), Michael Altendorf (jr., 138/145), Michael Gomez (jr., 220/285), Scott Topole (jr., 220/285).
About the Trojans: The Trojans look to again challenge for an FVC championship led by state place winner Michael Cullen and Hanselmann, a state qualifier. C-G is deep with a lot of experience and will not give up any easy matches.
Crystal Lake South
Coach: Ross Ryan (seventh season)
Last year: Third in the FVC Meet; third at Huntley Regional
Top returners: Garrett Dziedzic (jr., 120), Casey Callahan (sr., 132), Nick Gil (sr., 138), Eric Barone (jr., 145), Mike Golden (sr., 152), Brian Pence (sr., 182), Hunter Stroh (sr., 195).
Key newcomers: Nick Dorn (sr., 170), Ethan Weinandy (so., 160), Buddy Gabric (so., 285).
About the Gators: Gil returns as a state place winner and Barone as a state qualifier. South lost a number of close duals last season while forfeiting two weight classes. This year they look to challenge for the FVC championship.
Dundee-Crown
Coach: Bob Skillman (third season)
Last year: Seventh in the FVC Meet; sixth at Huntley Regional
Top returners: David Campos, (jr., 120), Martell Thompson (sr., 145), Elijah Velez (sr., 152), Tim Schanmier (sr., 160), Jarrod Raap (jr., 170), Christian Brunner (so. 182), Jeremy Marshall (sr., 285).
Key newcomers: Armando Gutierrez (jr., 138), Adam Gutierrez (jr., 120), Christian Rodriguez (so., 195), Taborist Robinson (jr., 138), Brett Peters (jr., 220 ).
About the Chargers: D-C returns seven wrestlers with 20-plus wins last season, including Schanmier with 26. Skillman said if they can bump those wins to 30 then the Chargers should have a good year.
Huntley
Coach: B.J. Bertelsman (third year)
Last year: Fifth in the FVC Meet; fifth at Huntley Regional
Top returners: Nicholas Meyer (sr., 113), Ricky Vigil (jr., 120), Christopher Gamboa (jr., 132), Brandon Meyer (jr., 138), Trevor Symbal (sr., 152), Austin Schofield (sr., 160), Mark Caridei (sr., 220).
Key newcomers: Carl Darby (jr., 182), Josh Stenger (fr., 106), Dominic Swanson (so., 220).
About the Red Raiders: Bertelsman said he has over 60 wrestlers in the program and they are aiming to finish in the top three at the FVC Meet. Nicholas Meyer and Vigil return as sectional qualifiers.
Jacobs
Coach: Gary Conrad (second season)
Last year: Sixth in the FVC Meet; Seventh at Huntley Regional
Top returners: Cody Ferencz (jr., 120), Jake Orth (jr., 132), Daulton Baran (sr., 126), Mark Mamola (sr., 220).
Key newcomers: Beau Harrier (106)
About the Golden Eagles: Conrad said his team has gained a lot of experience in the offseason and could surprise some teams. Two-time state qualifier Austin Ryan decided not to wrestle his senior season.
McHenry
Coach: Will Gaddy (19th season)
Last season: First in the FVC Meet; third at Grant Regional
Top returners: Ian Mullen (jr., 106), Britches Sikula (jr., 113), Robby Duh (jr., 120), Carter Herber (jr., 145), Cody Patchett (sr., 152), Thomas Hellios (sr., 152), Cam Pait (jr., 160), Pat Roewer (jr., 170), Ryan Grannemann (jr., 195), Luis Hernandez (sr., 220), Ryan Wykes (sr., 285).
Key newcomers: David Navar (sr., 113), Tyler Chrismann (jr., 126), Rob Nagel (sr., 132), Nick Wegner (so., 138), Hayden Carey (sr., 170), Rafael Peralta (jr., 182), Matt Mastandrea (jr., 285).
About the Warriors: McHenry should be strong again and possibly the team to beat in the FVC. Sikula and Mullen both won Frosh/Soph state titles last season and Duh was second.
Prairie Ridge
Coach: Matt Lopez (first season)
Last year: Eighth in the FVC Meet; seventh at Grant Regional
Top returners: Travis Piotrowski (so., 113), Marc Kackelmuss (jr., 145/152), Kevin Irlbacker (sr., 152), Charley Popp (sr. 160), Michael Gengler (sr., 220/285).
Key newcomers: Trey Fowler (fr., 106), Vinny Clesceri (sr., 170), Ben Kenney (sr., 182).
About the Wolves: The Wolves return Piotrowski who placed third at state last year and sectional qualifier Popp. Lopez said his team is young but is hoping to build some excitement back in the program.
Big Northern Conference
Harvard
Coach: Tim Haak (26th season)
Last year: First at Harvard Regional
Top returners: Anthony Luis, (sr., 106), Mark Struck (sr., 126), Christian Kramer (jr., 145), Matt Wheeler (sr., 160), Jose Mejia, (sr., 170), Zach Marin (so., 195), Adam Freimund (sr., 285).
Key newcomers: Sergio Jimenez (so., 132), Joe Quinn (jr., 132), Logan Streit (so., 138), Coty Reilly (sr., 138), Marcos Tapia (sr., 182).
About the Hornets: Harvard moves up a division to Class 2A in Haak’s last year at the helm. Luis returns after winning state at 106 last year and Freimund was one match away from placing.
Marengo
Coach: Tim Keefer (third season)
Last year: Sixth at Hampshire Regional
Top returners: Bailey Miller (so., 126), Kyle Hendricks (so., 132), Cory Graham (sr., 132/138), Alex Knaak (jr., 152), Kyle Gara (so., 170), Matt Pandocchi (sr., 182), Coy Szaflarski (sr., 195), Justin Dauphin (jr., 220), Derek Caskey (jr., 285)
Key newcomers: Tristan Vance (fr., 106), Joseph Mier (fr., 138), Alex Lewis (so., 138), Zach Harris (so., 145), Casey Gara (fr., 145), Gary Wagley (jr., 160), Tim Richards (sr., 195), Justin D’Ambrosia (fr., 195).
About the Indians: Graham returns as a state qualifier and Dauphin as a sectional qualifier. Marengo has a young but experienced lineup that looks to be competitive.
Richmond-Burton
Coach: Bret Wojcik (10th season)
Last year: Third at Hampshire Regional
Top returners: Garrett Sutton (sr., 160), Grant Sutton (jr., 126).
Key newcomers: Gavin Sutton (fr., 113), Jake Holian (sr., 138), Jason Rae (sr., 152),
Clayton McKimmy (jr., 170), R.J. Heppner (sr., 182).
About the Rockets: The numbers are back up for R-B after a slim year last season with 22 wrestlers in the room. Garrett Sutton returns as a state champion, Grant Sutton as a state placer and Gavin Sutton joins the group as an experienced club wrestler.
Northeastern Athletic Conference
Alden-Hebron
Coach: Kevin Gricar (seventh season)
Last year: Seventh in Harvard Regional
Top returners: Colton Cashmore (so., 145/152).
Key newcomers: Joshua Johnson (so., 138), Andrew Kraconski (jr., 220)
About the Giants: Gricar has just three wrestlers on his squad with Cashmore the only returning wrestler. With Harvard moving to Class 2A, A-H will host a Class 1A regional. He hopes that will benefit his wrestlers and the program. “We’ve been trying to get some support, Gricar said. “ It may be a jumping off point for us.”
Suburban Christian
Conference
Marian Central
Coach: Chris Taylor (first season)
Last year: Eighth at Hampshire Regional
Top returners: Aaron Kurcz (so., 106), Joe Herff (so., ), Jack McGuire (jr., ), Nick Remke (jr., ), Andrew Virzi (jr., ), Thomas Welch (so., ).
Key newcomers:Trey McGuinn (so.), Adam Konopka (fr.), Kolton ONeill (sr.), Danny Roy (sr.).
About the Hurricanes: Remke returns as a state place winner and should anchor a solid middleweight lineup. Taylor is looking to work with the football program to develop some wrestlers in the upper weight classes.
– Rob Smith
rsmith@shawmedia.com