Providence could have state in a depth grip

Depth is the difference for Providence, which begins the season as the top-rated wrestling team in Illinois.

When the Celtics reigned from 1997 to 2002, their squad instilled fear in opponents with a series of state placers and champions. There’s no Reynolds, Passolano, Glynn, Cumbee or Augle, but the current squad understands great expectations.

"We know people are going to come after us," Jake Wojcik said. "Our intensity level is up; we have to work hard to keep up. Every team we face is going to give us their best shot."

There’s a reason for the Celtics’ reputation. In the last 20 years, they’ve won eight state titles, finished second four times and third three times and posted a dual-meet record of 548-48 while qualifying for state 16 times.

"We have a chance to become state champs, but nothing will be handed to us," Wojcik said. "Coach [Keith] Healy told us he was going to work us as hard as he could. You know from Day 1 what the expectations are; that’s why people come to Providence."

With 11 starters returning, the Celtics will be sound top to bottom. Again, their strength will be in the lower weights. Highly touted freshman Eddie Klimara (103), Edwin Cooper (112), Tom Ambrose (125), Mike Togher (130), Wojcik (135), Brian Walsh (140), Jeremy Crnich (145), Brett Phillips (152), Nick Grabavoy (160), Joey Michaels (171), Jacob Sheffer (215) and Steve Laski (285) give Providence a nice mix.

"Everything goes in cycles," Healy said. "No team stays on top forever. The good programs have coaches that put in the time and are able to rebuild. We’re trying to get back to where we were three, four years ago."

"We don’t have the Reynolds family, Passolano or Glynn. We had state champions and four or five placers. This group has a different makeup. The guys know coming in that everyone steps it up to wrestle Providence. They have a target; it depends on how they handle it." Cooper said the team is ready for the state-championship chase.

"We have a good lineup, but we have to practice hard every day," he said. "Our intensity level is up, and everyone is focused. Everyone is paying attention to the small details and trying to do everything right. We’re all trying to help each other."

TOP TEAMS

1. Providence: Celtics hope for another state title.

2. Montini: Broncos’ loaded lineup will dominate Class 2A.

3. Oak Park: Dardanes brothers, Brooks brothers and Coleman give Huskies a title shot.

4. Neuqua Valley: Proctor, Spangler and Walters are part of a formidable lineup.

5. Glenbard North: Ramos, Chase, Gosinski & Co. start reloading.

6. Mount Carmel: Maggi, Skryzpiec, Foster and Argue brothers lead young Caravan.

7. Marist: RedHawks are deep with Smith, Raddatz, Lewis and Brown.

8. Lincoln-Way Central: Farmer, Heimer and Damiani lead Knights after third-place finish.

9. West Aurora: Gonzalez, Zinzer and Pena brothers spark Blackhawks.

10. Lockport: Oster, Stenberg and friends give Porters a strong lineup.

TOP INDIVIDUALS

103: Eddie Klimara, Providence; Cody Zimmerman, St. Rita; Ryan Dix, Montini; Seth Bonic, Morris.

112: Edwin Cooper, Providence; Adam Spangler, Neuqua Valley; Joe Schwartz, Highland Park; Matt Bystol, Libertyville.

119: Joe Gosinski, Glenbard North; Jameson Oster, Lockport; A.J. Juarez, Joliet; Allen Tate, Crete-Monee.

125: Jon Morrison, Sandburg; Stephen Robertson, Montini; Justin Farmer, Lincoln-Way Central; Josh Zinzer, West Aurora.

130: Tony Ramos, Glenbard North; Chris Dardanes, Oak Park; Colton Rasche, Montini; Chris Gonzalez, Bloom.

135: Jimmy Chase, Glenbard North; Jake Wojcik, Providence; Nick Dardanes, Oak Park; Marcus Rangel, Minooka.

140: Matt Boggess, Prospect; Ellis Coleman, Oak Park; Mark Marianovich, Marian; Matt Walters, Neuqua Valley.

145: Elias Larson, Marian Catholic; Bobby Barnhisel, Fenwick; Jeremy Crnich, Providence; Malik Taylor, Brother Rice.

152: David Skryzpiec, Mount Carmel; Dan Martin, Oak Park; Kevin Bialka, Lockport.

160: Jahwon Akui, St. Rita; Isaiah Gonzalez, Montini; Nick Proctor, Neuqua Valley; Carl Mosby, T.F. South.

171: Lee Munster, Grant; Kyle Czarnecki, Buffalo Grove; Mark Stenberg, Lockport; Pete Damiani, Lincoln-Way Central.

189: Carl Foreside, Montini; Clayton Kendall, De La Salle; Mario Gonzalez, West Aurora; A.J. Smith, Marist.

215: Reggie Reed, Bloom; Grant Goebel, Montini; Mike Zozulia, Neuqua Valley; A.J. Foster, Mount Carmel.

285: Chris Narel, Lincoln-Way East; Brian Lawson, Rich East; Mike Albanese, Naperville North; Curtis Blades, De La Salle.