Boys roundups: Hoffman Estates, Niles West, Walther Christian

By Gary Larsen for the IWCOA

Mickey Marchese Memorial at Hoffman Estates

Wheeling flexed its muscles with a 77-point win Saturday at the Mickey Marchese Memorial. Homewood-Flossmoor (201.5) claimed the runnerup spot in the 16-team competition. Zion-Benton was five points back in third. Mundelein (188.5) and South Elgin (133.5) completed the top quintet.

Thirteen wrestlers scored for the winner.

“I was really impressed with our team’s performance throughout the day,” said Wheeling coach Charles Curran. “Our kids all wrestled with great effort. Due to that, we were able to put a lot of our guys in the finals or third place matches. We are seeing kids buy into the process of improving themselves.”

Christian Giron (126), once-beaten Astan Lokhov (190) and unbeaten Pablo Morales (285) took titles for the Wildcats.

“I was extremely excited for Christian Giron to win the tournament at 126 pounds due to the grit he showed throughout the entire weekend,” Curran said. “He won two very tough matches on Thursday night for the team, and he had to dig deep in every match of the Mickey Marchese in order to win the title.

“Astan Lokhov and Pablo Morales both won the tournament with three pins, which were huge for the team points.”

“We set a high standard in the practice room. It is clear that our team is getting better, and the results this weekend showed it. Overall, our team performed really well. We’re looking forward to continuing to improve and wrestle our best in late January and February.”

Tommy Katz (106) suffered his first loss of the season in a second place finish. Frankie Katz (113) and Juan Escanuela (132) joined him with runnerup finishes.

David Perez (120), John Scanlon (157) and Eddie Juarez (215) each lost for the first time in the campaign but recovered to earn third place points for the team. Byron Arreola (144), Austin Berger (150) and Nicholas Montesinos (165) also delivered third place finishes. Manny Lagunas (138) recorded a fourth place finish.

2nd place: Homewood-Flossmoor (201.5)

Once-beaten Marcus Beach-Larrieu (132) and Roan Dukes (138) brought home titles for coach James Sokoloski. Andrew Clark (144) brought home the lone runnerup finish for the Vikings. Byron Hernandez (126) and Idris Akeeb (285) delivered third place finishes. 

Naijier Morris (157), Henry Grant (175) and Xavier Pratt (215) collected fourth place points. Andre Funchess (113), Evan McNeil (150) and Chris Wilson (165) claimed fifth place status.

3rd place: Zion-Benton (196)

The Zee-Bees received championships from Gabe Poyer (113), undefeated Braden Sroka (120) in his first varsity action of the season, Davin Esparagoza (144), and Carpel Herry (175). Eduardo Albarran (190) and Dylan Solesky (138) posted third place finishes for coach Hal Lunsford. Noe Figueroa (106) and Said Vazquez-Garcia (126) corralled fourth place finishes. Daitton Smith (120) and Anthony Malone (157) won fifth place matches. Giancarlos Rivera (113), Ian Serkanic (165) and Leonardo Corona (215) placed sixth.

Final standings

Wheeling, 278.5; Homewood-Flossmoor, 201.5; Zion-Benton, 196; Mundelein, 188.5; South Elgin, 133.5; Harlem, 123.5; Stagg, 121.5; Streamwood, 78; Hoffman Estates, 66.5; Thornton Fractional North, 53.5; Elgin, 48; Lane, 0; Notre Dame (Niles), 0; Plainfield East, 0; Rock Island, 0; Willowbrook, 0

Additional individual champions

106: Leo Salas, South Elgin

157: Ethan Banda, Mundelein

165: Michael Vincic, Mundelein

215: Victor Juarez, Elgin

Additional runners-up

120: Javier Corral, Stagg

126: Jaydee Doke, Harlem

138: Melik Robinson, Thornton Fractional North

150: Logan Dilallo, South Elgin

157: Keenan Egbert, Mundelein

165: Brayden Driscoll, Stagg

175: Charles Faulkner, Harlem

190: Alexander Castiglione, Streamwood

215: Chandler Jack, Harlem

285: Jamal Hakawati, Stagg

Championship matches

106: Leo Salas (South Elgin) d. Tommy Katz (Wheeling) (MD 9-1)

113: Gabe Poyer (Zion-Benton) d. Frankie Katz (Wheeling) (Dec 7-5)

120: Braden Sroka (Zion-Benton) d. Javier Corral (Stagg) (Fall 5:43)

126: Christian Giron (Wheeling) d. Jaydee Doke (Harlem) (SV-1 12-9)

132: Marcus Beach-Larrieu (Homewood-Flossmoor) d. Juan Escanuela (Wheeling) (Dec 7-5)

138: Roan Dukes (Homewood-Flossmoor) d. Melik Robinson (Thornton Fractional North) (Dec 9-3)

144: Davin Esparagoza (Zion-Benton) d. Andrew Clark (Homewood-Flossmoor) (Dec 6-1)

150: Dmytro Patykovski (Hoffman Estates) d. Logan Dilallo (South Elgin) (TF-1.5 4:57)

157: Ethan Banda (Mundelein) d. Keenan Egbert (Mundelein) (Fall 0:10)

165: Michael Vincic (Mundelein) d. Brayden Driscoll (Stagg) (Fall 1:02)

175: Carpel Herry (Zion-Benton) d. Charles Faulkner (Harlem) (Dec 4-3)

190: Astan Lokhov (Wheeling) d. Alexander Castiglione (Streamwood) (Fall 1:06)

215: Victor Juarez (Elgin) d. Chandler Jack (Harlem) (Dec 3-2)

285: Pablo Morales (Wheeling) d. Jamal Hakawati (Stagg) (Fall 0:26)

Niles West’s 8th annual Robert E. Porter Invitational

Marist (476.5) used six championship performances to power its way past runnerup Wheaton Warrenville South (418.5) to take the title of the 26-team event Saturday. Notre Dame (Niles/381.5 points), Conant (352.5) and DePaul (270) rounded out the top five finishers.

The RedHawks received bracket wins from Elio Gil (113, who is ranked no. 7 in state rankings at 106), Colin Phelan (126), Te`Jon Beals (132), once-beaten Axel Rodriguez (138, ranked sixth), Tommy Fidler (157, ranked seventh), Ronin Haran (175) and Tommy O`Brien (215, honorable mention).

Crue Hatchell (106) and Dylan Weber (132) placed third. Collin Coffey (190) secured fourth place points, and Jack Watson (285) won the fifth place match. 

Mickey McManus (126) and Jonathan Fields (144) posted eighth place finishes, Eddie Astorga (126) and David Wolski (190) placed ninth and Aiden Weber (120) took 10th.

“The team is wrestling well right now,” said Marist coach Brendan Heffernan. “The guys are letting it fly, having some fun and being creative. That’s what we want to see this time of year. 

“Our freshmen (Beals, Hatchell, Rodriguez and Aiden Weber) are really competing well, and the lineup is starting to sort itself out. We still have a few guys getting healthy, but it has been a lot of fun to see the team competing well and enjoying the process.

“The schedule gets much tougher for the next month or so, with the Dvorak, Brownsburg, Ind., and St. Edward in Ohio. As long as we keep improving week-to-week, we’ll be dangerous come tournament time.”

Runnerup: Wheaton Warrenville South (418.5)

Undefeated 106-pounder Rocco Valvano (106, honorable mention) took the lone title for Wheaton Warrenville South. The Tigers saw four of their wrestlers, Jack Bashore (113), Michael Riggs (132), Noah Nau (157) and Gregory Heavey (190) fall in title matches. Reid Adler (165) won his third place match. 

Daithan Narayanan (150) finished fifth. Troy Lomeli (120) and Alec Worobec (285) took seventh place matches. Matthew Vann (138) placed 10th, Chris Jones (120) placed 11th; Matthew Lisowski (126) placed 12th and Asher Williams (215) placed 18th to complete the list of scorers for coach Matt Janosek.

Third place: Notre Dame (381.5)

The performance of coach Anthony Genovesi’s club was highlighted with championships from once-beaten Ray Long (120, ranked third at 113), Thomas Fitzsimmons (150) and Jeramy Hamm (190), and a second place finish from Connor Moynihan (215).

Sean Cook (285) posted the next best conclusion with a fourth place medal. John Carr (138) on his fifth place match and Colin Walsh (157) placed sixth.

Michael Centracchio (165) took ninth, and Jake Luczak (157) and John Pacyna (106) earned 10th place points.

Lucas Goldman (11th at 126), George Kokolias (12th at 132) and Nick Centracchio (17th at 175) rounded out the scoring for the Dons.

Final standings
Marist, 476.5; Wheaton Warrenville South, 418.5; Notre Dame (Niles), 381.5; Conant, 352.5; DePaul, 270; Lake Zurich, 255; Maine West, 247; Waubonsie Valley, 247; Jacobs, 230.5; Dakota, 220; Cary-Grove, 209.5; Burlington Central, 198; Saint Viator, 190.5; Bartlett, 166; Taft, 160.5; Reavis, 141.5; Highland Park, 139.5; Mather, 139; Niles West, 130; Goode, 96.5; Golder, 73; Geneva, 67.5; Waukegan, 57.5; Lindblom, 17.5; King, 0; Normal West, 0

Additional champions

144: Jayden Veal, Goode

165: Brannick Alexander, Dakota

285: Hunter Wahtola, DePaul (ranked second, Class AA)

Additional runners-up

106: Thomas Emery, Saint Viator

120: Bernardo Roque, Taft (honorable mention)

126: Colin Bosak, DePaul

138: Jacob Turner, Cary-Grove

144: Gus Saletta, Bartlett

150: Harlan Kinney, Dakota

165: Filip Kawalec, Lake Zurich

175: Lucas Pretkelis, Waubonsie Valley

285: Leonidas Berrios, Waubonsie Valley

Championship matches

106: Rocco Valvano (Wheaton Warrenville South) d. Thomas Emery (Saint Viator) (Dec 9-6)

113: Elio Gil (Marist) d. Jack Bashore (Wheaton Warrenville South) (Fall 2:54)

120: Ray Long (Notre Dame-Niles) d. Bernardo Roque (Taft) (MD 9-1)

126: Colin Phelan (Marist) d. Colin Bosak (DePaul) (Dec 6-3)

132: Te`Jon Beals (Marist) d. Michael Riggs (Wheaton Warrenville South) (MD 14-6)

138: Axel Rodriguez (Marist) d. Jacob Turner (Cary-Grove) (TF-1.5 2:20)

144: Jayden Veal (Goode) d. Gus Saletta (Bartlett) (MD 14-6)

150: Thomas Fitzsimmons (Notre Dame-Niles) d. Harlan Kinney (Dakota) (Dec 12-6)

157: Tommy Fidler (Marist) d. Noah Nau (Wheaton Warrenville South) (TF-1.5 1:46)

165: Brannick Alexander (Dakota) d. Filip Kawalec (Lake Zurich) (Dec 8-1)

175: Ronin Haran (Marist) d. Lucas Pretkelis (Waubonsie Valley) (MD 14-2)

190: Jeramy Hamm (Notre Dame-Niles) d. Gregory Heavey (Wheaton Warrenville South) (Fall 2:40)

215: Tommy O`Brien (Marist) d. Connor Moynihan (Notre Dame-Niles) (MD 15-2)

285: Hunter Wahtola (DePaul) d. Leonidas Berrios (Waubonsie Valley) (Fall 5:55)

Third place matches

106: Crue Hatchell (Marist) d. Devin DiSilvestro (Geneva) (TF-1.5 2:19)

113: Aedan Dillow (DePaul) d. Brian Hoffman (Conant) 5-4, Fr. (Fall 3:15)

120: Eduardo Vences (Burlington Central) d. Connor Maschek (DePaul) (TF-1.5 4:00)

126: Damian Ramos (Conant) d. Angel Rivera (Taft) (TF-1.5 3:13)

132: Dylan Weber (Marist) d. Nathan Duffield (Waubonsie Valley) (Inj. 0:00)

138: Evan Honegger (Lake Zurich) d. Henry Deering (Burlington Central) (M. For.)

144: Ignacio Santander (Cary-Grove) d. Ahmed Everette (Reavis) (Fall 1:32)

150: Jayden Corchado (Highland Park) d. Desmond Stribley (Waubonsie Valley) (Fall 1:25)

157: Jaewon Willhite (Conant) d. Omar Garcia (Maine West) (Fall 4:17)

165: Reid Adler (Wheaton Warrenville South) d. Joshua Mreana (Niles West) (Fall 3:41)

175: Carter Temple (Highland Park) d. Jesus Reyes (Jacobs) (Fall 2:31)

190: Ryon Bland (Dakota) d. Collin Coffey (Marist) (Dec 7-6)

215: Michael Junitz (Burlington Central) d. Nico Trautman (DePaul) (Fall 1:06)

285: Wynn Philippi (Saint Viator) d. Sean Cook (Notre Dame-Niles) (Dec 6-1)

Walther Christian Academy’s 27th annual Hoger Invitational

Living Word Lutheran (Jackson, Wis.) edged out Seaholm (Birmingham, Wis.) 197.5 to 192.5 for the title Saturday. Peotone finished the invite as the top Illinois team with a 174-point third place finish. Martin Luther (Greendale, Wis./152.5 points) and Nazareth (111) rounded out the top five in the 14-team event.

Champion: Living Word (197.5 points)

Coach Nick Dummann received championship wins from undefeated David Putnam (150) and Zeke Smedal (175), once-beaten Jesse Lepien (157), and Xavier Dantzler (190). Lucas Riedel (165) and Joe Weissenburger (285) brought home second place honors. Eli Diaz (132) placed third; Dustin Dauster (215) finished fourth; and Jakob Toerpe (138) finished fifth for the Timberwolves.

Runnerup: Seaholm (192.5 points)

Once-beaten Cruz Garcia (165) was the lone champion for coach Neil Tuomi. Rishi Narula (120) and Sean Pesta claimed runnerup finishes for the Maples. Dean Wahab (106), Nikhil Narula (113), Cole Southby (126) and Oliver Smith (215) placed third. Amon Edwards (138), John Ranxa (175), Carter Dresden (190) and Asa Goetz (285) finished in the fourth spot. Kolton Lane (157) placed fifth. Ethan Rauth (175) placed sixth.

Third place: Peotone (174 points)

Jimmy O’Connor (103) brought the gold back home. Hector Estrada (113) and Thomas Raschke (138) finished second for the Blue Devils. Jack Vallos (120), Luke Lubert (144), Wayde Beachy (150) and Jordan Karmide (157) picked up third place points for coach Greg Goberville. Evan Pane (190) Omero Isias (215) and Nicholas Pridemore (285) ended their day with fifth place wins.

Additional champions

113: Emilio Fortiz, Nazareth

120: Richie Gulli, Nazareth

126: Aleksander Ramos, Nazareth

132: Brennan O`Donnell, Harvest

138: Jesus Martinez, Streator

144: Max Mulhearn, Harvest

215: Elijah Wood, Martin Luther

Additional runners-up

Championship matches

106: Brody Sliker, Streator

126: Geovany Casas, Elmwood Park

132: Joaquin Fortiz, Nazareth

150: Alan Krupinski, Ridgewood

157: Patrick Louhgnane, Elmwood Park

175: Dachs Poellet, Martin Luther

190: Anthony Gleghorn, Martin Luther

215: Aiden Ferris, Streator

Final standings

Living Word (Jackson, Wis.), 197.5; Seaholm (Birmingham, Wis.), 192.5; Peotone, 174; Martin Luther (Greendale, Wis), 152.5; Nazareth, 111; Streator, 89.5; Ridgewood, 78; Elmwood Park, 71.5; Harvest, 59; Amundsen, 53.5; Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest (Mich.), 43.5; Lutheran Westland (Mich.), 34; Walther, 18; Christian Heritage, 0. 

Championship matches

106: Jimmy O’Connor (Peotone) d. Brody Sliker (Streator) (F 1:48)

113: Emilio Fortiz (Nazareth) d. Hector Estrada (Peotone) (TF-1.5 2:44)

120: Richie Gulli (Nazareth) d. Rishi Narula (Seaholm) (TF-1.5 2:24)

126: Aleksander Ramos (Nazareth) d. Geovany Casas (Elmwood Park) (D 7-0)

132: Brennan O`Donnell (Harvest) d. Joaquin Fortiz (Nazareth) (TF-1.5 2:12)

138: Jesus Martinez (Streator) d. Thomas Raschke (Peotone) (F 2:56)

144: Max Mulhearn (Harvest) d. Sean Pesta (Seaholm) (MD 13-2)

150: David Putnam (Living Word) d. Alan Krupinski (Ridgewood) (F 3:14)

157: Jesse Lepien (Living Word) d. Patrick Louhgnane (Elmwood Park) (F 0:47)

165: Cruz Garcia (Seaholm) d. Lucas Riedel (Living Word) (D 13-8)

175: Zeke Smedal (Living Word) d. Dachs Poellet (Martin Luther) (F 5:02)

190: Xavier Dantzler (Living Word) d. Anthony Gleghorn (Martin Luther) (F 3:42)

215: Elijah Wood (Martin Luther) d. Aiden Ferris (Streator) (TF-1.5 1:51)

285: Valentino Vargas (Martin Luther) d. Joe Weissenburger (Living Word) (F 2:36)