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Athlete of the Week

JUSTIN BERNERO

Crystal Lake Central, sr.

Bernero won the Fox Valley Conference Meet on Saturday at Huntley for not only his first tournament win in high school but also his first appearance in a tournament final. Tigers coach Justin Lehr said Bernero (13-10) spent a lot of the season out because of injuries but came back strong to win conference.

“Now [Bernero is] starting to get back into shape,” Lehr said. “You can see what he can do when he’s healthy.”

Noteworthy

FVC recap: After a season that saw its lineup decimated by injuries and other health issues, Crystal Lake Central won the FVC Meet with a team approach. The Tigers won four individual titles with Bernero, Clay Lutzow (138), Jason Fugiel (160) and Gage Harrah (195) and placed in 13 of the 14 weight classes.

“We’re a good tournament team,” Lutzow said. “A lot of people didn’t think we’d be the top team [at conference].”

Symbal leads Huntley: Josh Symbal won the 182-pound FVC title for his first conference championship and led the Red Raiders to a fifth-place finish. It was the best finish for Huntley since it joined the FVC.

Symbal, who is ranked fifth at 182 by Illinoismatmen.com, said the win was a good momentum-builder heading into regionals Saturday.

“I just wanted to get prepped for [regionals],” Symbal said. “Seedings and rankings don’t mean anything at the end of the year. You’ve got to go out and win.”

Also making big strides in the FVC was Johnsburg, which finished sixth after coming in 13th at last season’s conference meet.

Fugiel moves up: The Tigers’ Jason Fugiel bumped up to win the FVC title at 160 pounds. The move disappointed a lot of people, including those who were hoping to see a rematch between Fugiel and Crystal Lake South’s Tom Gerszewski, who won at 152.

Gerszewski beat Fugiel, 3-2, in the semifinals of the Dvorak Tournament at Harlem in December.

Lehr said he made the move with Fugiel’s health in mind.

“Let’s eat and get you healthy,” Lehr said he told Fugiel. “I didn’t want him to worry about cutting any weight.”

SFlbThis week’s top meets

IHSA Regionals

Class 1A (10 a.m. Saturday)

Harvard Regional: Alden-Hebron, Marian Central, Christian Liberty, Aurora Central Catholic, St. Edward, Mooseheart, North Boone, Wheaton Academy.

Class 2A (10 a.m. Saturday)

Marengo Regional: Crystal Lake Central, Hampshire, Woodstock, Woodstock North, St. Viator, Vernon Hills, Wauconda.

Antioch Regional: Johnsburg, Richmond-Burton, Grayslake Central, Grayslake North, Lakes, Carmel, North Chicago.

Class 3A (9 a.m. Saturday)

Jacobs Regional: Dundee-Crown, Crystal Lake South, Huntley, Harlem, Auburn, Guilford, Jefferson, Hononegah.

Libertyville Regional: Prairie Ridge, McHenry, Grant, Gurnee Warren, Mundelein, Round Lake, Waukegan, Zion-Benton.

Stevenson Regional: Cary-Grove, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Zurich, Palatine.

– Rob Smith
rsmith@shawmedia.com