Tigers pounce on state

Crystal Lake Central's Christian Malouf wrestles with Sterling's Tyler Balsley in the 135-pound championship match on Feb. 13, during the Class 2A Sectional at Sterling High School. Malouf pinned Balsley in a time of 1:18. ( Northwest Herald file photo)

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Last year at the IHSA Individual State Wrestling Finals, Marengo’s Joey Moorhouse went from barely qualifying to a third-place finish.

This year the expectations are even higher.

Moorhouse enters the state finals, beginning today at Assembly Hall in Champaign, as the No. 1 seed at 152 pounds in Class 2A. He said being the top seed puts a target on his back and carries with it the expectation to win.

“It’s my senior year; I feel a lot of pressure,” Moorhouse said. “It all boils down to this one last shot.”

Moorhouse also feels pressure to do well from a college recruitment perspective. Indians coach Mike Crane said Moorhouse has gotten interest from some NCAA Division II programs.

“If he wins state, a lot more doors will open for him,” Crane said.

Moorhouse said the experience he gained last year going, 3-1 at state, will have a big impact on him this year.

“I showed that I can hang with the best in the state,” Moorhouse said. “It helps my confidence a lot knowing that I’ve been there and done it.”

Crystal Lake Central qualified seven wrestlers for state, all 2A sectional champs who receive a first-round bye. Four Tigers earned No. 1 seeds – Trevor Jauch (125 pounds), Joey Kielbasa (145), Austin Marsden (189) and Gage Harrah (215). Jauch and Kielbasa return as state champs. Jason Fugiel (130), Christian Malouf (135) and Taylor Servant (140) also earned byes.

Central coach Justin Lehr said the success primarily was because of his wrestlers peaking at the right time.

“I think it’s just a culmination of busting the kids’ (behinds) for so many months and having a tough schedule,” Lehr said. “We want it to be easier when it gets to the end of the year.”
 
Malouf will make his first trip to state after getting disqualified last year at the Fenton Sectional for flagrant misconduct. Lehr called the incident an isolated mistake and hopes that Malouf can change people’s perceptions with his performance at this year’s state tournament.
 
“He’s pretty much the most quiet, unassuming kid we have on our team,” Lehr said. “He’s got a lot to prove to some people. He probably has the most to prove.”
 
Malouf could face Montini’s Eric Powell in the semifinals – the same wrestler he was disqualified against last year at sectionals. Lehr hopes that scenario plays out for Malouf.
 
“We’re looking forward to it. It’s set up perfect for him,” Lehr said. “We know he’s got things under control. It’s going to be a battle.”
 
Also in Class 2A, Prairie Ridge qualified four wrestlers for state – Brian Cullen (103), Zach Synon (112), Mike Smith (119) and David Vinton (215). Cullen and Synon get first-round byes with Synon garnering the No. 1 seed.
 
Crystal Lake South’s Nick Fontanetta is the only Class 3A sectional champion from the area, but he does not get a bye because there are 16 qualifiers in each division in Class 3A vs. 12 at 1A and 2A. Fontanetta is the No. 2 seed and is unbeaten this season (37-0).