Wrestling team-by-team preview capsules

Fox Valley Conference
Fox Division

Crystal Lake Central

Coach: Justen Lehr (fourth season)

Last year: FVC Meet champion. Woodstock Regional champion

Top returners: Kyle Fugiel (so., 126), Trace Parlberg (sr., 132), Mike Zelasco (so., 132), Clay Lutzow (sr., 138), Brandon Solarte (sr., 145), Jason Fugiel (sr., 152), Justin Bernero (sr., 170), Gage Harrah (sr., 195).

Key newcomers: Logan Lundelius (fr., 106), Kurtis Sanders (jr., 120) Andrew Marsden (fr., 145).

Hampshire

Coach: Terry Wilkinson (fourth season)

Last year: Sixth in Sycamore Regional.

Top returners: Alex Feltz (so., 106), Tyler Espino (sr., 113), Ray Stagen (sr., 132), Cody Kleiser (sr., 145).

Key newcomers: Mason Fleury (fr., 145), Anton Krocko (fr., 160).

Insider information: In its fourth season with a team and first in the FVC, Wilkinson said the club and middle school feeder systems are starting to pay off and the team’s future is bright.

Johnsburg

Coach: Lenny Grodoski (first season)

Last year: 13th in FVC Meet. Sixth at Grayslake North Regional.

Top returners: Andrew Yoder (sr., 113), Nick Lewis (jr., 120), Brian McKay (jr., 126/132), Bobby McKay (sr., 126/132), Josh Jewell (sr., 145), Jason Stonehocker (sr., 160), Christian Nugent (jr., 195).

Top Newcomers: Brandon Peshek (fr., 106), Brandon Boyle (jr., 285).

Insider information: Grodoski becomes the Skyhawks’ third coach in as many seasons and is looking to bring some stability to the program.

“Our team has a real good attitude, and the kids are working very hard,” Grodoski said. “I am very excited about the future of our program.”

Woodstock

Coach: Jon Grell (second season)

Last year: 12th in FVC Meet. Seventh at Woodstock Regional.

Top returners: Collin Kahoun (jr., 120), Stewart Montgomery (sr., 126), Joe Hunt (sr., 132/138), Zach Bomkamp (sr., 145/152), Alan Hafer (so., 160/170), Kenny Robson (sr., 170/182).

Key newcomers: Jordan Powers (jr., 113/120), Fernando Olivas (jr., 106/113), Donte Arnold (sr., 152/160).

Insider information: The Blue Streaks will give up forfeit points at the heavier weight classes, but Grell said the team has improved from last year and believes momentum is building in a positive direction.

Woodstock North

Coach: Jim Guttridge (third season)

Last year: 11th in FVC Meet. Eighth in Woodstock Regional.

Top returners: Barry Doyen (jr., 106), Ben Brucki (jr., 113/120), Jake Zientz (so., 145/152), Dustin Kroening (sr., 145/152), John Walsh (jr., 160/170), Dillion Kline (so., 160/170), Jon McFarlin (sr., 220/285).

Key newcomers: Ruger Walsh (fr., 120/126), Cody Barnes (fr., 190).

Insider information: Guttridge said his team is young but has some experienced wrestlers. The Thunder are hoping to get their first FVC win and someone to state.

Valley Division

Cary-Grove

Coach: Ryan Ludwig (first season)

Last year: Sixth in FVC Meet. Third at Jacobs Regional.

Top returners: Logan Hanselmann (so., 106/113), Trent Atkins (jr., 132/138), Michael Underwood (jr., 132/138), James Smrt (jr., 132/138), Matt Fina (sr., 138), Garrett Glueck (jr., 145), Andy Sternard (sr., 152), Dan Hendriksen (sr., 160), Pat O’Malley (jr., 170), Max Kersten (sr., 195), Josh Freeman (sr., 285).

Key newcomers: Michael Cullen (fr., 106/113), Michael Altendorf (fr., 106/113), Dale Charlier (fr., 106/113), Michael Gomez (fr., 285).

Insider information: First-year coach Ludwig has set some lofty goals, including competing for conference and regional championships. He said his biggest challenge is separating the glut of talent at certain weight classes.

Crystal Lake South

Coach: Ross Ryan (fifth season)

Last year: Fourth in FVC Meet. Second at Jacobs Regional.

Top returners: Casey Callahan (so., 113), Nick Fontanetta (sr., 120), Nick Gil (so., 126), Nick Peters (jr., 138), Tom Gerszewski (sr., 152), Jake Peters (sr., 160), Mike Romanelli (sr., 220).

Key newcomers: Garrett Dziedzic (fr., 106), Kelly Bielfeldt (fr., 106), Eric Barone (fr., 132).

Insider information: Fontanetta has placed the past two years at state and entered the tournament both seasons with an undefeated record. Gerszewski and Gill also went to state last season. Ryan said he hopes to send more wrestlers to state than the three that went last season.

Dundee-Crown

Coach: Bob Skillman (first season)

Last year: Fifth in FVC Meet. First in Jacobs Regional.

Top returners: Dillon Muscat (sr., 138), Jimmy Kuczynski (sr., 182), Ray Griggle (jr., 285).

Key newcomer: Elijah Velez-Kraemer (so., 145).

Insider information: Skillman is in his first year as head coach but has been with the team for 20 years. The Chargers will be young, with only four upperclassmen in the lineup.

Huntley

Coach: B.J. Bertelsman (first year)

Last year: Ninth in the FVC Meet. Fifth in the Jacobs Regional.

Top returners: Zack Stenger (jr., 106), Jacob O’Neil (sr., 126), J.J. Martinez (jr., 132), John Walker (jr., 138), Trevor Symbal (so., 145), Jett Lucas (sr., 152), Austin Scholfield (so., 160), Josh Symbal (sr., 182), Brandon Mabry (jr., 195).

Key newcomers: Nate Urban (fr., 113), Ricky Vigil (fr., 120), Brandon Meyer (fr., 126), Mike Walker (fr., 170), Christian Thompson (fr., 170/182), Chase Burkhart (fr., 195/220).

Insider information: The Red Raiders have more than 55 wrestlers, including some talented freshmen who could break into the varsity lineup. Bertelsman said Josh Symbal has the potential to be Huntley’s first state place winner.

Jacobs

Coach: Chris Taylor (third season)

Last year: 10th in FVC Meet. Seventh at Jacobs Regional.

Top returners: Austin Ryan (so., 106), Kenny Thompson (jr., 113), Collin Zaio (sr., 138), Brad Schumacher (jr., 145), Jared Mrzlak (sr., 170), Gabe Difecchio (sr., 195).

Key newcomers: Jacob Orth (fr., 113), Cody Ferencz (fr., 126), Jake Gatz (fr., 120), Brian Ta (fr., 126), Michael Ricks (fr., 132), Mark Mamola (so., 220).

Insider information: The Golden Eagles return state qualifier Ryan and add some freshmen with wrestling experience.

“We are young, but the youngsters have stepped up and taken control of the program’s destiny instead of waiting their turn,” Taylor said.

McHenry

Coach: Will Gaddy (17th season)

Last season: Third in FVC Meet. Seventh in Grant Regional.

Top returners: Mike Sikula (jr., 113), Brad Ostdick (jr., 120), Mike Infelise (jr., 120/126), Tony Lopez (sr., 132), Wade Lardy (jr., 138/145), Jake Pait (sr., 145/152), Mike Brennan (sr., 152/160), Jeff Nykaza (sr., 182), Kody Olejniczak (sr., 195), Angel Hernandez (jr., 285).

Key newcomers: Britches Sikula (fr., 113), Thomas Hellios (so., 138/145), Matt Backhaus (sr., 160), Alex Kouene (sr., 170), John Newlon (sr., 220).

Insider Information: Infelise and Lardy lead a team which finished, 18-3, last season. The freshman class includes three Illinois Elementary School Association state champions who could see action at the varsity level in the second half of the season.

Prairie Ridge

Coach: Mark Jayne (second season)

Last year: Seventh in FVC Meet. Sixth in Jacobs Regional.

Top returners: Kyle Hivon (jr., 113-120), Eric English (sr., 120), Zach Synon (sr., 126), Matt Wilcox (jr., 145), Chase Rea (jr., 145), Charley Popp (so., 152), John Ferbrache (sr., 160), Mike Lung (sr., 190), Connor Bos (jr., 220).

Key newcomers: Aaron Senholtz (fr., 113), Marc Kachelmuss (fr., 132).

Insider information: The Wolves lost some talented seniors but return two-time state qualifier Synon, who won his 100th career match at state last year.

Big Northern

Conference

Harvard

Coach: Tim Haak (25th season)

Last year: First in Harvard Regional

Top returners: Anthony Luis (so., 106/113), Irvin Pena (jr., 113/120), Chance Shelton (jr., 120/126), Tommy Larkin (sr., 126/132), Joey Skorko (sr., 132/138), Travis Heck (jr., 138/145), Alex Kick (sr., 145/152), Tyler Kramer (sr., 145/152), Brad Lovell (sr., 152/160), Dan Stott (sr., 160/170), Nathan Cowan (sr., 170/182), Cody Melson (sr., 195/220), Jake Wilcox (sr., 220), Adam Freimund (so., 285), Victor Saucedo (jr., 285).

Harvard: The Hornets return three state qualifiers from last season, including Dan Stott, who finished second in state at 160.

Marengo

Coach: Tim Keefer (first season)

Last year: Third in Woodstock Regional

Top returners: Mark Kendrick (sr., 170), Jon Goerke (sr., 160), Abe Lamontagne (sr., 182), Colin Kelly (sr., 220-285), Cory Graham (so., 106), Victor Golden (jr., 113), Joey Fredrick (so., 145), Dakota Landorf (sr. 152), Damon Cloe (jr., 152-160), John Lesiak (jr., 195-220), Sam Klemske (sr., 160).

Key newcomers: Kody Burno (fr., 132), Justin Dauphin (fr., 160), Coy Szaflarski (fr., 160).

Insider information: The Indians add some talented freshmen to an already young team. Keefer said by the middle of the season they should be a strong team.

Richmond-Burton

Coach: Bret Wojcik (eighth season)

Last season: BNC champion. Grayslake North Regional champion.

Top returners: Mike Hrdlicka (so., 113), Cameron Kennedy (jr., 120), Matt Ellis (sr., 126), Garrett Sutton (so., 138), Brett O’Kane (sr., 160), Jack Dechow (sr., 182).

Key newcomers: Grant Sutton (fr., 106), Trace Von Bruenchenhein (jr., 145), Clayton McKimmy (fr., 152), Nick Zelinsky (sr., 195), Jake Pauly (sr., 285).

Insider information: “We have a good group of kids returning and a good group of underclassmen filling in,” Wojcik said. “If they mesh well together, we could have a pretty good year.”

Suburban Christian Conference

Marian Central

Coach: Buck Riedinger (fifth season)

Last year: Sixth in Woodstock Regional

Top returners: Zach Sell (sr., 120), Austin Sabella (sr., 145), Joe Klinger (sr., 152), Tom Klinger (so., 160), Dom Remke (sr., 182), Scott Taylor (sr., 285).

Key newcomers: Riley Waters (sr., 126), Nick Remke (fr., 132), Tim Skelton (sr., 170), Kyle Parker (sr., 195), Tim Dwyer (sr., 220).

Insider information: The Hurricanes move to Class 1A this year. Riedinger said the Hurricanes’ schedule, which is filled with Class 2A and 3A teams, will help his wrestlers when it comes to regionals and sectionals.

Northeastern Athletic Conference

Alden-Hebron

Coach: Adam Burmeister (first season)

Last year: Sixth in Harvard Regional

Top returners: Pat Hooper (sr., 220), Cody Henken (sr., 138), Justin Gricar (jr. 126).

Key newcomers: Andrew Kracinski (fr., 195), Cristian Gonzalez (sr. 138), Edwin Gorostieta (sr. 220), Nick Nelson (sr., 145).

Insider information: With only seven wrestlers, the Giants will struggle in dual meets, but Burmeister is hoping to advance three or four to sectionals and get one or two to state.

– Rob Smith

rsmith@shawmedia.com