Top 10 teams and 25 wrestlers to watch in the Southland
Top 10 Teams Carmel:
1. Mount Defending Class 3A state champions bring back a trio of reigning individual champs in sophomore Seth Mendoza (113 pounds), junior Colin Kelly (170) and senior Sergio Lemley (132), a three-time state champion and nationally top-ranked wrestler who is committed to Michigan. Juniors Damian Resendez (120) and Rylan Breen (195) are returning state medalists.
2. Joliet Catholic: Coming off program’s first state championship — in Class 2A — Hilltoppers are led by a pair of two-time champs in senior Gylon Sims (120) and junior Dillan Johnson (285). Senior Mason Alessio (160) is a returning runner-up.
3. Marist: RedHawks return the bulk of last season’s Class 3A quarterfinalist roster, led by senior Peter Marinopoulos (195), an Illinois recruit and returning runner-up. Sophomore Michael Esteban (120) and senior Jacob Liberatore (170) were state medalists last season and senior Jesse Herrera (145) was a medalist two years ago.
4. Lockport: Jameson Oster takes over as coach for his brother, Josh, and has a solid core back from last season’s Class 3A third-place finisher. Senior Brayden Thompson (182), an Oklahoma State recruit, is coming off an undefeated season. He’s also ranked No. 1 in the nation. Senior Logan Swaw (152) is a returning state medalist.
5. Lemont: Senior Mike Jabaay (170) is a returning state qualifier who will lead a lineup that thrives off its depth. Seniors Sam Schuit (138) and Johnny O’Connor (145) and juniors Alex Pasquale (285) and Carter Mikolajczak (152) should have big seasons.
6. Lincoln-Way East: Griffins went 21-0 in duals last season and won program’s first SouthWest Suburban Blue championship. A handful of starters return from that team, led by returning state qualifiers senior Ari Zaeske (182) and sophomore Tyson Zvonar (126). Keep an eye on sophomores Brayden Mortell (132) and Domanic Abeja (152).
7. Homewood-Flossmoor:
Vikings have a trio of state title contenders. Senior Vincent Robinson (132) was a runner-up last season, while his junior brother Jaydon (145) took third. Both are North Carolina State recruits. Senior Deion Johnson (113) also finished third. Senior Attalia Watson-Castro (135) is a defending girls state champion.
8. Lincoln-Way West: Junior Jase Salin (126) is a returning state qualifier, while seniors Karter Guzman (132) and Anthony Sherman (195) are hungry after falling short last season in the sectional. Brothers Jakob and Luke Siwinski are talented, freshman Jakob at 120 and sophomore Luke at 138.
9. Brother Rice: Crusaders qualified for Class 2A team state for the first time in program history last season and return four state qualifiers in senior Chuck Connelly (152), junior James Bennett (126) and sophomores Bobby Conway (120) and Gabino Perez (195).
10. Sandburg: Eagles are looking to rebuild behind a talented young group led by sophomore Rocco Hayes (106) — a returning state qualifier — and fellow sophomores Madden Parker (113) and Ryan Hinger (132). Senior Michael Rydell (220), a state qualifier as a sophomore, returns after suffering a season-ending injury last year.
25 Wrestlers To Watch
Mason Alessio, Joliet Catholic, senior, 160; Nasir Bailey, Rich Township, senior, 138; Elliana Balderrama, Evergreen Park, senior, 155; Rylan Breen, Mount Carmel, junior, 195; Austin Dangles, St. Rita, senior, 120; Gracie Guarino, Lincoln-Way Central, junior, 113; Alex Jackson, Bremen, senior, 195; Deion Johnson, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, 113; Dillan Johnson, Joliet Catholic, junior, 285; Colin Kelly, Mount Carmel, junior, 170; Sergio Lemley, Mount Carmel, senior, 132; Jacob Liberatore, Marist, senior, 170; Peter Marinopoulos, Marist, senior, 195; Seth Mendoza, Mount Carmel, sophomore, 113; Caden Muselman, Oak Forest, senior, 132; Ini Odumosu, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, 190; Damian Resendez, Mount Carmel, junior, 120; Jaydon Robinson, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, 145; Vincent Robinson, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, 132; Trevor Silzer, Andrew, senior, 120; Gylon Sims, Joliet Catholic, senior, 120; Logan Swaw, Lockport, senior, 152; Brayden Thompson, Lockport, senior, 182; Attalia Watson-Castro, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, 135; Jocelyn Williams, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, 235.