Stellar season for Crete-Monee's Tate

Crete-Monee 119-pound standout Allen Tate has qualified for two state tournaments and is off to a 17-0 start this season.

"He's having an outstanding senior year," Warriors coach Milton Leathers said. "He won the Bloom Ultimate and Prospect tournaments. His toughest challenge will be when we go to Morton."

Leathers also praised senior John McCormick, who owns a 13-6 record (through Thursday).

"He has really stepped up as a team captain," Leathers said of McCormick. "John beat Rich East's Kurt Day 5-3 in a recent match. He showed that he could handle himself with the toughest competition in the area.

"Also, senior DeAngelo Chambers owns a 10-3 record and should be another wrestler to watch in the postseason."

Stephens stars at H-F

Tim Stephens has been a bright spot for Homewood-Flossmoor this season.

"Tim is wrestling very well right now," coach Brett Geijer said. "He pinned his way to winning our invitational. He did a great job.

"Both Brandon Courtney and J.T. Brown made the finals and finished in second place.

"They all have been working hard in the practice room to get ready for the big meets later in the season."

Rich East gains experience

Rich East coach Matthew Shank watched his team's dual-meet record fall to 4-4 after recent losses to Evergreen Park and Crete-Monee.

Still, Shank remains highly optimistic.

"Our young guys have stepped up and are getting good experience for the postseason," he said.

Shank praised the work of seniors Kurt Day (145 pounds), Michael Collopy (135), Jason Mesick (152) and Arthur Wimberly (215), who are "looking to finish the season strong against their conference opponents," according to Shank.

Castillo, Fuqua lead Bloom

Bloom Township coach Tom Tong received some good news at the prestigious Dvorak Tournament in the work of senior Eddie Castillo and freshman Jake Fuqua.

"Eddie and Jake had great tournaments," said Tong, pointing to Castillo's second-place finish at heavyweight and Fuqua's fifth-place standing. "The coaching staff has been very happy with the progress of these two young men. Their dedication to the sport and leadership for our program has been outstanding."

Good times at Rich Central

Rich Central coach Tony Markanich, who recently recorded his 100th career dual-meet coaching win, has his Olympians at 9-2 this season (through Wednesday) thanks to a balanced varsity roster.

"We have senior standouts like Tristan Webb (8-0 at 152), Curtis Rempson (18-2 at 160), Sean Beamon (16-3 at 171) and Shomari Jackson (11-8 at 189)," Markanich said.

"But we also have underclassmen, such as juniors Jay Weathersby (14-3 at 112) and Devante McCloud (17-3 at 125) and sophomores Raheem Williams (14-2 at 119) and Ishmeal Rempson (14-4 at 145). It's a good blend."

Alan Macey can be reached at amacey@southtownstar.com or (708) 802-8834.