Boys tournament recap: Stillman Valley, Erie/Prophetstown, Harvard
By Mike Garofola for the IWCOA
All IWCOA rankings courtesy of Rob Sherrill’s Illinois Best Weekly
Stillman Valley Holiday Tournament
A sneaky good tournament featured three class 1A state-ranked teams, in addition to 19 state-ranked wrestlers that would showcase several men who undoubtedly will compete for plenty of hardware in Champaign later this year.
Fourth here a year ago, No. 15 Johnsburg (5-0-0) would make the 60-plus mile drive to Stillman Valley where it would lift its first championship trophy of the season over No. 24 Wheaton Academy (196.0) and No. 17 Oregon who tallied 154.0 points.
It would be the depth of Skyhawks that would make the difference as they collected a tourney-best 12 top-five medals, led by its two individual champs, Kainoa Ancog, and No. 7 Duke Mays.
“Kainoa put in a tremendous amount of work this past offseason, and it is starting to show,” began Skyhawks head coach JD Sylvanus. “We really try to do things simple – do the normal things – win the front headlock positions, score points, wear opponents out, and get to work on the top.
“Right now Kainoa is leading our team in pins, and that comes directly from his discipline, effort, and commitment to that approach.
“As for Duke (Mays) he’s come a long way in terms of his confidence on his feet, he’s creating better angles, getting to his shot fakes, and continues to be very strong on top. Overall, his all-around wrestling has improved significantly, and he continues to have success. I know he was not fully satisfied with his result in his final with Blake Livdahl last weekend at Richmond-Burton, but we pride ourselves on continuing to close the gap.
“Livdahl is a great wrestler, and Duke absolutely has visions of being high on the podium this year, as does Kainoa.”
1st- Johnsburg (219)
After finishing just off the top of the podium, the aforementioned Ancog (157, 19-3) and Mays (18-3) claimed their first majors of the season.
They would have plenty of support in the name of runners-up Chase Vogel (120), Chase Davis (132), Jackson Hjorth (215) and Aiden Bowley at 285.
Kai Surdick (113), Connor Gaydo (126), Josh Key (144), Tanner Hansen (150) and Logan Tibbs (175) would all contribute to the cause with their fourth-place medals, with Jordan Syvanus adding his fifth-place medal at 165.
“Chase Davis has been wrestling phenomenally all season for us, and continues to place high in tournaments, and currently holds one of the better records on the team at 19-5,” Sylvanus said.
“Chase Vogel continues to see state-ranked, and high-level competition in nearly all of his matches, where all of his losses have come thus far. The score in his final was not fully indicative of how competitive his match was – he was in position to score throughout, and battled hard, just as he does in the room, where he put in the work on a consistent basis.”
Sylvanus and his men finished their day by bringing both the JV and Varsity together for what he calls ‘team-time’ where, together, they gather to talk one-on-one about goals for the day, and what they need to do in order to achieve them.
2nd- Wheaton Academy (196)
The 2024 tourney champion Warriors made a strong run to a second straight title, and with the help of-now two-time tourney champs: Lincoln Hoger (150) and Tyler Jones (175) and first timer, Hezzy Garcia the club made a valiant run at eventual champion Johnsburg.
No. 9 (144) Hoger is now 17-3. Jones, first at Richmond-Burton last weekend, ran his record to 17-1, while Garcia – who finished third in two previous tournaments – finally earned his first major of the season at 285.
Zion Kaunley (113), Buckley Kazmeirzak (126) and Joey Guidi (144) were all third, with Kazmeirzak recording the fastest pin on the day at nine seconds, and Guidi scoring the most total match points with 60.
Elliot Hardy (106), Oscar Smith (132) and Elijah Shin (138) were all fourth, Joseph Senneses (190) and Ian DeSouza (215) fifth overall.
3rd- Oregon (154)
Oregon (8-1-0), which was sixth a week ago at Richmond-Burton, improved its lot by three spots by outscoring fourth place Marengo by seven points.
No. 2 Josiah Perez (15-0) continues his terrific first half of the year with his second consecutive championship here, and second in two weeks after the senior won it all last weekend at Richmond-Burton.
The Hawks would celebrate a trio of second place medals from: Jordan Lowe (113), Nelson Benesh (138, 14-2) and Jayden Berry at 150, with Newt Wright adding a third place finish at 285.
Fourth-place medals went to Cole Suter (175) and Jackryn Windham (215) with teammates Kendra Ege (106) Carson Benesh (132) and Tyler Hendrickson (175) adding fifth-place medals.
Additional individual champions:
Aden Spinelli (106, Amboy), Cam Whitehead (113, Winnebago), Josiah Perez (120, Oregon), Xander Bell (126, Stillman Valley), Alexander Ferari (132, Lisle),
Mitchell Aukes (138, Marengo), Johnny Consuegra-Lopez (144, Lisle), Ethan Waugh (165, Stillman Valley), Teigen Moreno (215, Dundee-Crown)
Additional runners-up:
Carter Paulson (106, Stillman Valley), Parker McGlinn (120, Winnebago) Hayden Beebe (132, Marengo), Hunter Heath (138, Belvidere), Ibraheem Harb (157, Lisle, Sr.), Josh Karther (165, Kaneland), Gavin Boorsma (175, Marengo), Johnny Strauss (190, Winnebago), Alexander Lopez (215, Aurora Central Catholic), Newt Wright (285, Oregon).
Final Team Results:
Johnsburg 219.0, Wheaton Academy 196.0, Oregon 154.0, Marengo 147.0, Stillman Valley 136.0, Lisle Senior 106.0, Kaneland 87.5, Winnebago 83.0, Amboy 67.0, Belvidere 46.5, Dundee-Crown 35.5, Aurora Central Catholic 12.0, Elgin St. Edward 10.5, Somonauk 8.0, Durand 6.0.
Championship match results:
106- Aden Spinelli (Amboy) d. Sebastian Lara (Lisle Sr.) (F 3:27).
113- Cam Whitehead (Winnebago) d. Jordan Lowe (Oregon) (D 8-1).
120- Josiah Perez (Oregon) d. Chase Vogel (Johnsburg) (MD 15-2).
126- Xander Bell (Stillman Valley) d. Ty Florschuetz (Amboy) (F 1:13).
132- Alexander Ferari (Lisle Sr.) d. Chase Davis (Johnsburg) (D 9-6).
138- Mitchell Aukes (Marengo) d. Nelson Benesh (Oregon) (D 10-3).
144- Johnny Consuega-Lopez (Lisle, Sr.) d. Hunter Boley (Marengo) (F 0:39).
150- Lincoln Hoger (Wheaton Academy) d. Jayden Berry (Oregon) (F 3:09).
157- Kainoa Ancog (Johnsburg) d. Jose Lopez (Amboy) (F 1:54).
165- Ethan Waugh (Stillman Valley) d. Ryan Hess (Marengo) (F 2:57).
175- Tyler Jones (Wheaton Academy) d. Bradley Bankes (Stillman Valley) (F 1:00).
190- Duke Mays (Johnsburg) d. Frankie Solis (Marengo) (TF 26-6).
215- Teigen Moreno (Dundee-Crown) d. Jackson Hjorth (Johnsburg) (D 8-1).
285- Hezzy Garcia (Wheaton Academy) d. Aiden Bowley (Johnsburg) (F 0:45).
Third place match results:
106- Carter Paulson (Stillman Valley) d. Elliot Hardy (Wheaton Academy) (TF 1:37).
113- Zion Kaunley (Wheaton Academy) d. Kai Surdick (Johnsburg) (D 6-5).
120- Parker McGlinn (Winnebago) d. Isaiahs Carreno (Stillman Valley) (F 1:26).
126- Buckley Kazmeirzak (Wheaton Academy) d. Connor Gaydo (Johnsburg) (F 1:49).
132- Hayden Beebe (Marengo) d. Oscar Smith (Wheaton Academy) (D 13-7).
138- Hunter Heath (Belvidere) d. Elijah Shin (Wheaton Academy) (D 11-10).
144- Joey Guidi (Wheaton Academy) d. Josh Key (Johnsburg) (F 4:41).
150- Tanner Hansen (Johnsburg) d. Colten Heltsley (Wheaton Academy) (MD 14-1).
157- Ibraheem Harb (Lisle Sr.) d. Tyler Bell (Stillman Valley) (D 6-3).
165- Josh Karther (Kaneland) d. Cole Suter (Oregon) (F 2:47).
175- Gavin Boorsma (Marengo) d. Logan Tibbs (Johnsburg) (MD 10-2).
190- Johnny Strauss (Winnebago) d. Apollo Gochis (Kaneland) (D 16-10).
215- Alexander Lopez (Aurora Central Catholic) d. Jacksyn Windham (Oregon) (D 11-6).
285- Newt Wright (Oregon) d. Tevian Poole (Dundee-Crown) (F 1:29).
58th SCIACCA-HOLTFRETER INVITE
Wheeling and Bartlett have moved on to other tournaments this year, taking with them the top two team trophies from a year ago.
New Trier would take full advantage of its first visit here to host Harvard, turning in a solid day’s work. The Trevians used four individual titles and a pair of second place trophies to close out second-place Proviso West (194.0-172.5). Vernon Hills (144.0), Lake Forest (141.0) and Woodstock (136.5) rounded out the top five.
“We opened our week with a dominant performance in our 54-24 conference win over Evanston, and it gave our guys momentum and confidence heading into Harvard this weekend,” began the Trevians long-time head coach Marc Tadelman.
“The leadership provided by our senior captains George Kaup and Matthew Miralles helped set the tone for the team.”
1st: New Trier (194.0)
The Trevians’ championship was driven by the foursome of Matthew Miralles (138), Travis Leonardson (144), Tommy Tures (190, 14-2) and Cooper Kemnitz (285) who all would climb atop the podium at the end of the competition.
“Miralles would dominate all day, and was my vote for O.W. at the lower weights,” Tadelman said. “But as our captain, he set the tone with his confidence and aggressive wrestling.
“Leonardson did a great job of controlling his opponent in the final, who was very athletic – stopping his offense to get to his re-attacks. Great job all day from Tures at 190. His pace in matches was at a high level all day, and it was his pin in his final that sealed the team title for us.
“Cooper (Kemnitz) worked hard all during the offseason. This was the first varsity tournament championship of his career, and it was an awesome comeback pin in his semifinal that really helped our team score.”
William Weedon (157) and George Koup (165) earned second place medals for the Trevians, Tyler Arneson (150) third, and Christian Ballester fifth at 215.
“Weedon and Arneson both had very good days with several dominant wins along the way,” Tadelman said.
2nd: Proviso West (172.5)
The Panthers led the field with 22 pins, and the most total team points on the day with 155 but were unable to use this to overcome eventual tourney champion New Trier.
However, Kelvyn West gave the Panthers’ faithful something to celebrate with his title at 157, with Allante Jackson second at 144, and the upper weight foursome of Isiah Robinson (165), Angel Heard (175), Dijon Cotton (190) and Dameryon Paxton (285) all coming in third. Paxton recorded four pins en route to his third-place finish.
Bairon DeJesus was fifth at 132.
3rd: Vernon Hills (144.0)
Junior Jacob Parker (165, 16-2) won his second straight major after claiming the top prize a week ago at the Rex Lewis. Teammate Sabir Aliev (132) added a second title to the cause to help the Cougars stave off fourth place Lake Forest, which finished just three points away.
The Cougars earned seven medals on the day, one from runner-up Charles Dominguez (113) and the duo of Carson Alper (144) and Timur Arzumanov (215) each finishing third.
Nathan Nobile (106) was fourth, Tony Lopez (120) fifth.
Additional individual champions:
Liam Parker (106, Harvard), Drew Patel (113, North Boone), Dominic Angileri (120, Guilford), Taki Baker (126, Woodstock), Logan Klein 150, Alden-Hebron), Eyzaiah
(175, Boylan), Yaree Sandifer (215, Lake Forest).
Additional runners-up:
Ryan Schacher (106, Lake Forest), Charlie Biddle (120, Lake Forest), Jordan Bradley (126, Woodstock North), Eli Bryan (132, North Boone), Owen Vail (138, Harvard), Paul Halak (150, Lake Forest), Skyler McLeer (175, Woodstock), Jaxson Hansen (190, Woodstock), David Randecker (215, Woodstock North), Sam Reed (285, Belvidere North).
Final Team Scores:
New Trier 194.0, Proviso West 172.5, Vernon Hills 144.0, Lake Forest 141.0, Woodstock 136.5, North Boone 95.5 Streamwood 84.0, Harvard 72.5, Woodstock North 72.0, Belvidere North 71.5, Boylan 71.0, Guilford 38.0, Bremen 35.5, Alden Hebron 34.0, Gary Comer College Prep 14.0, Kennedy 0.0
Championship match results:
106- Liam Parker (Harvard) d. Ryan Schacher (Lake Forest) (F 0:26).
113- Drew Patel (North Boone) d. Charles Dominguez (Vernon Hills) (D 3-2).
120- Dominic Angileri (Guilford) d. Charlie Biddle (Lake Forest) (Inj. 0:00).
126- Taki Baker (Woodstock) d. Jordan Bradley (Woodstock North) (F 1:54).
132- Sabir Aliev (Vernon Hills) d. Eli Bryan (North Boone) (F 2:36).
138- Matthew Miralles (New Trier) d. Owen Vail (Harvard (D 7-1).
144- Travis Leonardson (New Trier) d. Allante Jackson (Proviso West) (MD 13-1).
150- Logan Klein (Alden-Hebron) d. Paul Halak (Lake Forest) (F 1:07).
157- Kelvyn West (Proviso West) d. Willam Weedon (New Trier) (TF 20-4).
165- Jacob Becker (Vernon Hills) d. George Kaup (New Trier) (MD 10-1).
175- Eyzaiah Campos (Boylan) d. Skyler McLeer (Woodstock) (F 4:37).
190- Tommy Tures (New Trier) d. Jaxson Hansen (Woodstock) (F 5:55).
215- Yaree Sandifer (Lake Forest) d. David Randecker (Woodstock North) (D 12-5).
285- Cooper Kemnitz (New Trier) d. Sam Reed (Belvidere North) (F 4:47).
Third place match results:
106- Juan Rosales (Harvard) d. Nathan Nobile (Vernon Hills) (F 0:26).
113- Cole Malo (Woodstock) d. Luis Martinez (Streamwood) (D 16-9).
120- Gabe Marella (North Boone) d. Olin Wiedel (Woodstock North) (TF 17-0).
126- Asher Baasen (Lake Forest) d. Sean Unzueta (Bremen) (F 1:19).
132- Malachi Turner (Bremen) d. Bairon DeJesus (Proviso West) (F 1:17).
138- Eric Juchimowcz (Belvidere North) d. Deshaun Sutton (Streamwood) (D 12-8).
144- Carson Alper (Vernon Hills) d. Michael Brandt (Lake Forest) (F 3:29).
150- Tyler Arneson (New Trier) d. Max Brzozowski (Boylan) (F 1:15).
157- Logan Wiser (Woodstock) d. Wyatt Stott (Harvard) (F 0:40).
165- Isiah Robinson (Proviso West) d. Marcus Dan (Lake Forest) (TF 18-2).
175- Angel Heard (Proviso West) d. Damien Tremillo (Streamwood) (MD 18-5).
190- Dijon Cotton (Proviso West) d. Alexander Castiglione (Streamwood) (F 2:56).
215- Timur Arzumanov (Vernon Hills) d. Nick Davis (North Boone) (F 3:22).
285- Dameryon Paxton (Proviso West) d. Christian Allen (North Boone) (F 0:55).
EP (Erie/ Prophetstown) Holiday Tournament
There were four state-ranked teams here this weekend, and nearly 30 state-ranked wrestlers to make this event one to keep the fans interested all throughout the day.
However, there was no team that could match the star power of No. 6 Lena-Winslow/ Stockton (10-2-0) who watched its heavy-hitter quintet of Arrison Bauer (144, 12-1), John Mensendike (175, 14-0), Eli Larson (190, 14-0), Oliver McPeek (215, 13-1) and Jeremiah Luke (285, 14-0) flex their collective muscle to send the Panthers to a 53-point win.
The Panthers amassed 219.0 points, No. 21 Morrison was second with 166.0, with Rockridge (144.5), Newman Central Catholic (127.5) and Seneca (126.5) in a first-class top five group atop the table.
“All five champions were pretty dominant today – earning bonus points in each of their matches except for Jeremiah Luke’s decision in his 285 final,” began Panthers head coach Kevin Milder, whose club won her a year ago.
“Our young, lighter-weight guys also held their own, and battled on the consolation side of the bracket to help in our final point total.”
Bauer, Larson, and Luke entered the weekend as the No. 1 men in their respective weight classes, McPeek is No. 2, and a group already in possession of five state medals intend to add several more to its collection come this February.
Luke was a first team All-State football player this fall for the class 1A state champions, while Larson earned a second consecutive All-State honorable mention award.
Connor Knop, the 157-pound champion from West Carroll recorded the fastest pin of the day 12 seconds, while Charlie Rod of Seneca had the most match points with 79.
1st: Lena-Winslow/ Stockton (219.0)
The aforementioned Bauer, Mensendike, Larson, McPeek, and Luke collected a dazzling 134.0 team points for the tourney champions.
Mauricio Glass was second at 138, while Sam Sikora (157) and Mark Detwiler were fourth overall in their respective weight divisions.
2nd: Morrison (166.0)
The Mustangs turned in a wonderful performance to earn its second place team trophy, recording a tourney-best (20) pins, while cheering the first place trophies won by Eli Modglin (126, 16-1) and Caleb Modglin (150, 18-0).
Caleb Modglin claimed the most team points (29) in the tournament.
Cael Wright (17-3) was second at 120, with Jaken Updike (132), Noah Stout (190) and Caleb Carroll (215) adding to the Mustangs final score with their third place medals.
Patrick Schaefer (138) and Ethan Bush (175) were fifth.
3rd: Rockridge (144.5)
The Rockets would earn seven top-five medals on the day, two of which were first place trophies from Nate Lower (11-0) and Ryan Lower (165, 12-1) who was fourth a year at state. Nate Lower is No. 2 in the state at 106.
Clayton Blumenstein (132) and Thomas Sowards (157) were second overall, Noah Behr (120) and Tanner McKeag (285) third, and Klay Goodnight fourth at 144.
Additional individual champions:
Landon Near (113, Newman Central Catholic), Raiden Terry (120, Seneca), Landon Blanton (132, Newman Central Catholic), Barret Speck (138, Illini Bluffs), Connor Knop (157, West Carroll),
Additional runners-up:
Coltin Hartman (106, Fulton), Boston Morford (113, Mercer County), Tennyson Hampton (126, Alleman), Josiah Tarbill (144, Rock Falls), Cole Herrell (150, West Carroll), Jonner Smith (165, West Carroll), Jordan Thompson (175, Alleman), Landen Venecia (190, Seneca), Jonathan Weakley (215, Sherrard), Caleb Reymer (285, Erie/ Prophetstown).
Final Team Scores
Lena-Winslow/ Stockton 219.0, Morrison 166.0, Rockridge 144.5, Newman Central Catholic 127.5, Seneca 126.5, Mercer County 113.0, West Carroll 109.0, Sherrard 106.0, Fulton/Rock Falls 79.0 each, Orion 75.5, Illini Bluffs 74.0, Galena 50.5, Polo 48.0, Alleman 47.5, Erie/ Prophetstown 38.5
Championship match results:
106- Nate Lower (Rockridge) d. Coltin Hartman (Fulton) (MD 12-0).
113- Landon Near (Newman) d. Boston Morford (Mercer County) (F 2:00).
120- Raiden Terry (Seneca) d. Cael Wright (Morrison) (D 5-0).
126- Eli Modglin (Morrison) d. Tennyson Hampton (Alleman) (F 0:49).
132- Landon Blanton (Newman) d. Clayton Blumenstein (Rockridge) (TF 19-4).
138- Barret Speck (Illini Bluffs) d. Mauricio Glass (L-W/ Stockton) (D 3-1).
144- Arrison Bauer (L-W/ Stockton) d. Josiah Tarbill (Rock Falls) (TF 15-0).
150- Caleb Modglin (Morrison) d. Excequiel Ocampo (Mercer County) (MD 12-3).
157- Connor Knop (West Carroll) d. Thomas Sowards (Rockridge) (D 11-6).
165- Ryan Lower (Rockridge) d. Jonner Smith (West Carroll) (D 14-9).
175- John Mensendike (L-W/ Stockton) d. Jordan Thompson (Alleman) (F 1:06).
190- Eli Larson (L-W/ Stockton) d. Landen Venecia (Seneca) (TF 15-0).
215- Oliver McPeek (L-W/ Stockton) d. Jonathan Weakley (Sherrad) (F 1:41)
285- Jeremiah Luke (L-W/ Stockton) d. Caleb Reymer (Erie/ Prophetstown) (D 4-2).
Third place match results:
106- Joe Morse (Newman) d. Aidan Eads (Sherrad) (D 9-8).
113- Chris Thompson (Seneca) d. Landyn Leech (Orion) (MF 15-5).
120- Noah Behr (Rockridge) d. Liam Major (Illini Bluffs) (D 12-7).
126- Connor Higgins (Galena) d. Tyler Olson (Orion) (MD 10-0).
132- Jaken Updike (Morrison) d. Jack McIntyre (West Carroll) (MD 10-1).
138- Evan Clark (Mercer County) d. Blake Arnold (Orion) (TF 21-4).
144- Garrett Carter (West Carroll) d. Klay Goodnight (Rockridge) (F 1:44).
150- Andrew Knox (Sherrard) d. Excequiel Ocampo (Mercer County) (MD 12-3).
157- Gunner Varland (Seneca) d. Sam Sikora (Lena-Winslow/ Stockton) (D 8-4).
165- Eli Burns (Mercer County) d. Mark Detwiler (L-W/ Stockton) (MD 15-6).
175- Mason Kuebel (Fulton) d. Gideon Heist (Sherrard) (F 2:15).
190- Noah Stout (Morrison) d. Cooper Thomas (Sherrard) (F 1:38).
215- Caleb Carroll (Morrison) d. Brady Heinrichs (Mercer County) (F 0:37).
285- Tanner McKeag (Rockrdige) d. Mathew Murray (Newman) (D 7-1).