CLC aims for shot at title, Montini

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The dream matchup between Crystal Lake Central and Montini is all set up at IHSA Dual Team State Tournament today.

Now all the Tigers and Broncos have to do is advance to the championship match.

Montini defeated Crystal Lake Central, 39-17, in the semifinals last year. The Tigers finished third but widely were considered the second-best team in the state. This year the teams are on opposite sides of the bracket.

“It’d be great,” Central coach Justin Lehr said of having another shot at Montini. “But we’ve got our work cut out for us.”

The Tigers will face Sycamore in the quarterfinals at 9 a.m. today at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington. Central edged the Spartans, 34-30, on Jan. 16 but did not have Trevor Jauch in the lineup.

Jauch (125 pounds) is one of three Tigers to win an individual state championship in Class 2A along with Joey Kielbasa (145) and Austin Marsden (189). Also placing at state were Taylor Servant (second at 140) and Gage Harrah (fourth at 215).

Montini boasts four state champions and opens with Marmion at 11 a.m. in a Suburban Christian Conference rematch. The Broncos defeated Marmion, 39-12, at the SCC Mega Duals.

In the semifinals, Central could face either Troy Triad or Lemont. Montini could face either Champaign Central or Antioch.

The Tigers advanced to the quarterfinals with a 46-2, win against Washington on Tuesday. Montini almost blanked Chicago Uplift, 73-3, to advance.

On paper, Central appears to be more a better match this year for Montini, the perennial state power.

Last year, the Broncos had 10 wrestlers place in the individual state tournament to this year’s eight. The Tigers had one more place winner and one more champion this year at state.

While the matchup isn’t for certain, Montini vs. Crystal Lake Central is the one that the teams and the wrestling community want to see in the championship.

“[Today] is going to be a fun day, now that we can see Montini in the finals,” Kielbasa said. “We’re excited about being in the finals against Montini.”

Lehr also would also like a date with the Broncos, but he doesn’t want the Tigers to get ahead of themselves.

“We’ve got to take it one step at a time,” Lehr said.