Tigers pounce on 3rd consecutive title

Jacobs' Joe Ladick waits for the referee to call a pin in his match against McHenry's Blake Caulkins during a 135-pound bout at the Fox Valley Conference Wrestling Tournament in Grayslake. (Candace H. Johnson – Shaw Suburban Media)

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By ROB SMITH

rsmith@nwherald.com

GRAYSLAKE – Crystal Lake Central was the overwhelming favorite going into the Fox Valley Conference Wrestling Tournament and the Tigers fulfilled that expectation by capturing their third consecutive championship Saturday.

The Tigers won seven individual titles – Trevor Jauch (125 pounds), Jason Fugiel (130), Christian Malouf (135), Taylor Servant (145), Joey Kielbasa (152), Austin Marsden (189) and Gage Harrah (215).

Servant said his team was confident about winning and set a target to motivate them.

“Our goal was to get to the 300 point mark,” Servant said.

Central fell short with 237.5 points, which might have been due in part to the addition of Woodstock North this year. Dundee-Crown was second with 171.5 points and three individual championships, Crystal Lake South was third (159.5) with one title and McHenry was fourth with 137 points.

Tigers coach Justin Lehr said winning conference was important but mostly because it’s the lead-in to state qualifying.

The next three weekends with regionals, sectionals and the state tournament will determine how successful the season will be for many wrestlers.

“It’s just a stepping stone,” Lehr said. “We wrestled strong. You can tell we’re hitting our stride.”

The Chargers’ Miko Villanueva won at 112 with a 18-7 major decision against Zach Synon from Prairie Ridge.

Villanueva said he likes the intimidation he has over other wrestlers because he finished third at 103 in Class 3A last year.

“My confidence is really high this year,” Villanueva said. “I don’t see anyone stopping me.”

D-C coach Al Zinke said Villanueva has been wrestling well all year but still needs to work on his intensity and technique before he’s ready for the state series.

“He’s got a lot of improvement to do,” Zinke said.

Also winning for the Chargers were Frank Abitua (140) and Cody Churkey (171).

Johnsburg got championships from Justin Peete at 160 and Zac Diedrickson at 285. Also taking home titles were Crystal Lake South’s Nick Fontanetta at 103 and Huntley’s Colt Claudio at 119.

Kielbasa wrestled a total of 3 minutes and 6 seconds in his three matches, defeating Woodstock’s Shawn Hovlid in 48 seconds for the championship. Quick wins are important this time of year, Kielbasa said.

“You get on the mat and wrestle and get off,” Kielbasa said. “You want to conserve your energy.”

Jauch, a junior, won his third conference title defeating Cary-Grove’s Corey Meyer by technical fall in 2:15. Though not his ultimate goal for the season, Jauch said that the conference tournament is good preparation heading into state.

“It gets me more focused,” Jauch said.