Wrestling: Beacon-News preview capsules

Aurora Central Catholic

Coach: Eric Fulara

Last year: 10-11 overall.

Key returnees: Adrian Alviar, Eric Hollenbeck, Frankie Martin.

Top newcomers: David Cuevas.

Outlook: Fulara is hoping to put together a tough group of wrestlers that will help the Chargers compete against the likes of Marian Central, Marmion and Montini in the rugged Suburban Christian Conference.

Batavia

Coach: Ben Morris, 2nd season

Last year: 7-13 overall, 4-2 Upstate Eight River.

Key returnees: Laren Eustace, Soph., 152; Cullin Rokos, Jr., 182/195; Anthony Scaccia, Soph., 138; Joel Shump, Jr., 120; Charlie Smorczewski, Jr., 132; Mickey Watson, Jr., 182/195.

Top newcomers: Ricky DeSimone, Soph., 113; Marc Goodin, Soph., 145; Mehran Khamissi, Fr., 113; Trevor Kilgallen, Soph., 145; Connor McKeehan, Soph., 220; Nick Offut, Soph., 160; Matt Patton, Fr., 106; Lennon Scariano, Soph., 152; John Wagner, Jr., 160.

Outlook: The Bulldogs got a late start due to the football team’s run to the Class 6A semifinals, so they’re still shaking out the kinks in the lineup. Eustace and Shump are coming off conference championships, with Shump beginning his third season as a varsity starter. There is a lot of youth for Morris to sort through to fill out the roster in his second season after taking over for former coach Tom Arlis.

East Aurora

Coach: Ed Davidson, 3rd season

Last year: N/A

Key returnees: Frederico Diaz, Jr., 285; Fernando Duran, Sr., 170; Nester Rodrigues, Sr., 132.

Top newcomers: None.

Outlook: Davidson has plenty of experience in the program, logging 10 years with the Tomcat Wrestling Club and five years as an assistant at Waldo Middle School before taking over the varsity program. He has a record number of kids out for the team this season, which is a nice building block for a program that traditionally is low on numbers. Many of them are first-year wrestlers, however, so Davidson is focused on building all levels of the program to get the Tomcats strong on varsity once again.

Geneva

Coach: Tom Chernich, 5th season

Last year: 20-10 overall, 7-0 Upstate Eight River, conference champions.

Key returnees: Jake Boser, Jr., 182; Tony Castelvecchi, Jr., 152; Mark Henriksen, Jr., 145; Alex Kunkle, Jr., 160; Brad Martens, Jr., 113; Jake Mills, Sr., 285; Mike Villanueva, Jr., 152; Henry Zupke, Sr., 220.

Top newcomers: Colin Parsons, Fr., 120.

Outlook: The Vikings are coming off a conference championship season and return eight starters from that group into the fold. Martens (third at regionals) and Mills (fourth at regionals) lead the way for the Vikings as they look to repeat in the Upstate Eight River.

Kaneland

Coach: Monty Jahns, 4th season

Last year: 10-16 overall, 1-4 Northern Illinois Big 12 East. Jimmy Boyle placed fourth in Class 2A at 285.

Key returnees: Dan Goress, Jr., 138; Steve Gust, Jr., 106; Steve Hlatko, Sr., 195; Sonny Horn, Jr., 132; Ben Kovalick, Jr., 220; Esai Ponce, Jr., 126; Connor Williams, Jr., 113.

Top newcomers: Matt Price, Jr., 170; Zach Theis, Jr., 285.

Outlook: For the second straight season, the Knights got off to a slow start due to the football team’s run to the Class 5A semifinals. Kovalick, ranked No. 4 in Class 2A at 220 by Illinois Best Weekly, is the only returning senior starter for the Knights. Theis is charged with the task of replacing one of the program’s best wrestlers, Boyle, at heavyweight.

Marmion

Coach: Dean Branstetter, 10th season

Last year: 18-3 overall, second to Montini in the Suburban Christian Conference and regional. Johnny Jimenez (103), George Fisher (119) and Ben Whitford (130) were Class 2A state champions. Jered Cortez (112) and Bryce Brill (135) finished third. Eddie Greco (125) and Eddie Breen (152) finished fourth.

Key returnees: Anthony Bosco, Soph., 106; Sam Breen, Soph., 138; Jake Field, Jr., 120; George Fisher, Jr., 126/132; Alex Fritz, Jr., 220; Oscar Garza, Soph., 285; Eddie Greco, Sr., 126/132; Johnny Jimenez, Soph., 113; Sam Kellett, Sr., 145; Pat Knudtson, Sr., 160; Josh Meyers, Soph., 145. Ryan Riggs, Sr., 145; Angelo Silvestro, Sr., 138; Cody Snodgrass, Jr., 182.

Top newcomers: Joe Antonelli, Fr., 106; Jake Cornish, Fr., 106; Brennan Giffin, Soph., 132; Lucas Reifsteck, Fr., 152.

Outlook: The Cadets were hit hard by graduation (Breen) and transfers (Brill to Mt. Carmel, Cortez to Glenbard North and Whitford). Whitford, the first state champion in program history, moved back to Michigan after winning state titles in both of his seasons as a Cadet. Brill and Cortez are currently ranked No. 1 in their respective weight classes by Illinois Best Weekly. But Marmion still returns Fisher and Jimenez, who won state championships, as well as Fritz, Greco and Silvestro, who qualified for state a year ago. From 106 through 160, the Cadets should be as strong as anybody in Class 2A as they try to fill the upper weights. Marmion is currently ranked No. 4 in Class 2A by Illinois Best Weekly. Silvestro is ranked No. 1 in Class 2A at 138. Fisher (132), Fritz (220), Greco (126) and Jimenez (113) are ranked No. 2 in their weight classes.

Metea Valley

Coach: Claudio Torres, 3rd season

Last year: 3-18 overall, finished last in the Upstate Eight Conference.

Key returnees: Austin Graham, 132; Cole Lettieri, 126; Alex Toepfer, 138, Conrad Zaucha, 106.

Top newcomers: Keenan Carter, Fr., 120; Eddie Gonzales, Soph., 145.

Outlook: The Mustangs are one of the youngest teams at the school, with only one senior on the roster. But there is much to be optimistic about. Zaucha was a sectional qualifier last year. Carter was a state qualifier at the grade school level last year. And Gonzales transfers in with tremendous credentials, ranking No. 7 in the nation among sophomores at his weight.

Mooseheart

Coach: Mark Johnson, 10th season

Last year: N/A

Key returnees: Zac Rice, Sr., 160; Junior Smith, Jr., 170; Sammie Strickland, Jr., 120.

Top newcomers: Orlando Gutierrez, Soph., 126; Komba Sabbah, Sr., 145; U-Jay Smith, Jr., 220.

Outlook: The Ramblers typically have a hard time filling out a full lineup, which is no surprise considering the vast majority of wrestlers who come through the program have no experience prior to coming to Mooseheart. So the focus is on individual performance. Strickland was a sectional qualifier last year, so Johnson’s goal of sending somebody to the Class 1A state meet starts with him.

Oswego

Coach: Jeff Charlebois, 2nd season

Last year: 9-10 overall, 4-3 in the Southwest Prairie Conference.

Key returnees: Luis Flores, Sr., 285; Max Larsen, Jr., 152/160; Bo Pradel, Jr., 138; Frank Yattoni, Jr., 120/126.

Top newcomers: CJ Brown, Fr., 170; Jack Pradel, Fr., 106.

Outlook: Flores has to fill the shoes of graduated state qualifier Jovan Lee at heavyweight this season. Yattoni won a regional championship and was one match away from reaching the state meet. Larsen was also a match away from state. Bo Pradel is back after seeing his season cut short due to a concussion. He had a productive summer, qualifying for the prestigious national meet in Fargo, N.D. in Greco-Roman wrestling. Charlebois is hoping the Panthers can close the gap with Minooka and Plainfield Central in the SPC.

Oswego East

Coach: Mike Jezioro, 6th season

Last year: 17-9 overall, 5-2 in the Southwest Prairie Conference.

Key returnees: Andrew Chastain, Jr., 132; Colin Griffin, Sr., 145; Keagan Griffin, Soph., 182; Nolan Kopplin, Jr., 152; Reuben Reyes, Sr., 106; Brandon Rivera, Sr., 220.

Top newcomers: Noah Anderson, Fr., 113; Javier Chavez, Sr., 285; Mike Chavez, Jr., 195; Mike Fountain, Jr., 120; Jim Geier, Soph., 138; Zach Prinz, Fr., 160.

Outlook: The Wolves are coming off their best season in program history, and building upon that starts with Reyes. Reyes, ranked No. 5 in Class 3A at 106 by Illinois Best Weekly, was a state alternate after winning a conference championship and a conference MVP nod. Rivera was also all-conference and a state alternate a year ago. Colin Griffin is coming off of a sectional trip. Only one senior from last year’s starting lineup graduated, and Jezioro added a solid group of newcomers to that mix, prompting him to hope for a top-three finish in the tough SPC.

Plano

Coach: Jose Villareal, 1st season

Last year: 19-2 overall, 9-2 Interstate Eight Conference. Senior Travis Tomac placed fourth in Class 1A state meet.

Key returnees: Trent Bowers, Jr., 285; Weslye Brown, Soph., 160; Toby Gann, Sr. 170; Abel Gonzalez, Soph., 132; Tyler Hausler, Jr., 145; Jonathan Pickett, Sr., 195; Jose Villareal, Jr., 120; Shaun Wollenweber, Jr., 113.

Top newcomers: Dan Comiskey, Soph., 138; Derek Masinet, Soph., 220; Jake Wilson, Fr., 106.

Outlook: Villareal is the new head coach after serving as an assistant, so he knows the roster well. Brown is the centerpiece of the Reapers’ lineup. He jumps up to 160 this season after reaching the Class 1A state meet at 152 as a freshman. Villareal (the junior wrestler) was a state alternate last year. Bowers is making an impression at heavyweight after not coming out for the team as a freshman and emerging in the varsity lineup at midseason last year. Plano is ranked No. 20 in Class 1A by Illinois Best Weekly. Brown is ranked No. 6 at 160.

Sandwich

Coach: Josh McCarty, 6th season

Last year: 15-7 overall, 10-1 Interstate Eight Conference. Alphonse Vruno (119) finished second in the Class 2A state meet.

Key returnees: Colton Bland, Sr., 220; Patrick Crothers, Soph., 126; Rigo Fraire, Soph., 145; Logan Lee, Jr., 285; Tyler Sebby, Jr., 195; Alphonse Vruno, Sr., 138; Jesse Wood, Jr.; 106.

Top newcomers: Jesse Bewley, Sr., 182; Mikey Bewley, Jr., 152; Josh Brooks, Fr., 120; C.J. Goodin, Sr., 170; Anthony Rivas, Fr., 132.

Outlook: Vruno, currently ranked No. 1 in Class 1A at 138 by Illinois Best Weekly, is one of the top returning area wrestlers after finishing second at state last year and winning a state championship as a sophomore. Last year, the Indians had the misfortune of having to wrestle three of the top five teams in Class 2A (Marmion, state champion Montini and Yorkville) in regionals. This season, Sandwich will move down to Class 1A, which could set them up for a run at state wrestling against smaller programs. There are plenty of new faces to go around after heavy graduation losses. Bland and Crothers are returning sectional qualifiers.

Waubonsie Valley

Coach: Brad Caldwell, 10th season

Last year: 11-16 overall, seventh in the Upstate Eight Conference.

Key returnees: Luis Cisneros, Sr., 220; Jimmy Davis, Soph., 132; Elton Manuel, Sr., 160; Sean Sarkauskas, Jr., 145; Adam Szott, Sr., 285; Anthony Touchstone, Jr., 195.

Top newcomers: Mitch Kroening, Soph., 170.

Outlook: Szott and Touchstone return after reaching the sectional meet last season, giving the Warriors some nice depth in the upper weights, which is often hard to find. Caldwell is hoping to send more than two wrestlers to sectionals this year and send some of them off to the state meet in Champaign.

West Aurora

Coach: Mike DiNovo, 7th season

Last year: 22-4 overall, regional champions, reached the Class 3A Elite Eight. Nicholas Drendel placed third at 125 pounds in Class 3A.

Key returnees: Austin Beebe, Jr., 285; Greg Jacquez, Jr., 138/145; Nate Pealstrom, Sr., 145/152; Brandon Warren, Sr., 182; Nate Zinzer, Sr., 126/132.

Top newcomers: Sean Anthony, Fr., 113; Omar Delatorre, Soph., 106; Brandon Farias, Soph., 160; Sam Fox, Soph., 120; Carlos Jacquez, Fr., 106.

Outlook: The graduations of Drendel and state qualifiers Miguel Venecia and Brandon Walz hit the Blackhawks hard. But Jacquez is back after a trip to state to help lead the way. Pealstrom, Warren and Zinzer have all had successful careers, but are looking to add an exclamation point with strong senior seasons. DiNovo is looking for Anthony and Carlos Jacquez to make immediate varsity impacts as freshmen.

Yorkville

Coach: Joe Fornell, 1st season

Last year: 12-9 overall, 5-2 in the Northern Illinois Big 12 Conference. A.J. Messenger (171) won a Class 2A state championship. Connor Bass (135) was second and Adam Wyeth (119) was third.

Key returnees: Clayton Bass, Sr., 152; Connor Bass, Sr., 145; Brock Diehl, Sr., 120; Seth Gonzealez, Sr., 285; Jacob Hurt, Sr., 132; Steve Pozeg, Sr., 160; Bobby Schillinger, Jr., 182.

Top newcomers: Gunnar Hjorth, Soph., 113.

Outlook: Fornell inherits a team that Shane Darnell built into a Class 2A powerhouse. The Bass twins are the centerpiece of the roster this season. They are both getting Division I college looks. The Foxes are loaded up with seniors, positioning them for a deep postseason run. Gonzealez was a state alternate a year ago. Hjorth adds to the team’s depth after transferring from Oswego. The Foxes are ranked No. 14 by Illinois Best Weekly in Class 2A. Connor Bass is currently ranked No. 1 at 145.

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