Libertyville Wrestling

Libertyville takes care of Lake Zurich ~ By John Bumbales - Daily Herald Correspondent ~ 1/17/2020

After an impressive win over Warren last week at home, visiting Libertyville wanted to keep the positive momentum going Friday night in North Suburban Conference wrestling action at Lake Zurich.

And after building a commanding 27-0 lead right out of the gates with the help of some forfeits, the Wildcats did just that as they went on to capture a 54-24 NSC victory over the Bears to put themselves in a good position to win the conference championship in the next few weeks.

Lake Zurich (1-4 in the NSC) was hampered by losing six forfeits overall. But the Bears were still competitive against Libertyville (15-2, 5-0) thanks to four pins in the dual meet.

Starting at 138 pounds, elite senior Danny Pucino (25-1) gave the Wildcats a 6-0 lead with a forfeit win before 145-pound teammate Domenic Tarello's pin made the score 12-0.

Then came forfeits for transfer student E'lan Heard (15-1 at 152) and Josh Knudten at 160 before Dane Whitney's 8-2 decision over Matt Luby at 170 staked the Wildcats to the 27-point lead.

In a showdown at 182, Lake Zurich's No. 3-ranked Joey Mrazek (25-2) pinned Chase Baczek as Baczek moved up a weight class to get a really tough match.

Mrazek's only losses this season were to the No. 1-ranked wrestlers in the state in both Class 2A and Class 1A.

"I've been pretty happy with how the season has been going so far, and I have to take one match at a time," said Mrazek, who just missed state last year. "I obviously have some high aspirations for later this year, but I don't want to look too far ahead because I have to get through that (Barrington) sectional."

Libertyville 195-pounder Adam Pressley defeated Zach Gill 11-4 before a forfeit victory for Jordan Smith boosted the lead to 36-6 after eight matches.

Lake Zurich heavyweight Alan Pontoja (11-2) was impressive with a pin in 1:34. But two more forfeit wins for the Wildcats (Ryan Schlitt at 106 and Caelan Riley at 113) put the team outcome of the meet out of reach for the Bears.

Lake Zurich did finish strong as pins by Logan Neurauter (22-5 at 120), and Scott Busse at 126 showed the Bears' firepower at the lower weights.

"Obviously it's not ideal when we're forfeiting six weights, but I'm glad that the guys we had wrestle had some pretty good matches," said Lake Zurich coach Jake Jobst. "He (Mrazek) is having a really good year, and I think he's kind of motivated and driven from his loss last year at sectionals."

FCA Wrestler of the Week: Pucino wins first of many potential matches with Vandervere in front of home crowd | Illinois Matmen Home High School FCA Wrestler of the Week: Pucino wins first of many potential matches... High SchoolWrestler of the WeekWOTW Feature FCA Wrestler of the Week: Pucino wins first of many potential matches with Vandervere in front of home crowd January 16, 2020 9 0 Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter t...

Congratulations to Libertyville senior and Illinois commit Danny Pucino for being voted this week's FCA Wrestling High School Wrestler of the Week! Pucino defeated last week’s Wrestler of the Week and at the time #1 ranked Joel Vandervere of Warren in a dual on January 8th. Stay tuned for a feature story on the Illinois Matmen home page.

Vote for Danny Pucino for FCA High School Wrestler of the Week! MATCH VIDEO: #1 Pucino vs. #2 Vandervere can also be seen at this link.

https://illinoismatmen.com/?fbclid=IwAR3A9yXaEyPGy5dQ3XVwI8WXgHTMZEl2PM4qNA9KtFF3xLPtDpQ_k6xgB2U

Vote for FCA Wrestler of the Week 1/12/20 | Illinois Matmen Home High School Vote for FCA Wrestler of the Week 1/12/20 High SchoolWrestler of the Week Vote for FCA Wrestler of the Week 1/12/20 January 13, 2020 583 0 Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter tweet VOTE NOW for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) High School Wrestler of the Week! The poll clos...

Congratulations to Danny Pucino on a great match last night against Warren!

Libertyville handles Warren - Daily Herald - 1/8/2020

Two undefeated North Suburban Conference wrestling teams met at Libertyville Wednesday night.

Libertyville ran out to a 21-0 lead, finishing with a 55-13 win over Warren.

The meet opened at 152 pounds. Libertyville's E'lan Heard was back in the lineup after a month absence due to knee surgery. He had been ranked as high as No. 2 in the state during the early part of the season but has dropped out of the rankings since being injured. His opponent was No. 9 state ranked Isaiah Parker, a returning state qualifier. After an early takedown, Heard took Parker to his back, getting the pin in 1:14 of the first period.

Libertyville got pins by Josh Knudten (160) and Dane Whitney (170) along with a 4-3 win by Chase Baczek (182) to give them a huge early lead. Warren's Armando Barranday got an 11-6 win at 195 to put Warren on the board.

But Libertyville won the next six matches to put the meet away. Jordan Smith (220), Caleb Christensen (285), Caelan Riley (106) got pins. Trevor Jean (113) had a major decision while Loren Semler (126) won 10-6 to give Libertyville a 52-3 lead. Cam Domke got Warren back on the board with a major decision at 132.

With the meet outcome long over, the long awaited bout came at 138 where the top two state-ranked wrestlers, No. Joel Vandervere (Warren) and No. 2 Danny Pucino (Libertyville) squared off. Vandervere got a counter takedown and quick tilt to jump out to a 4-0 lead. Pucino got an escape shortly after to finish the period at 4-1. Pucino got a second period takedown to two Vandervere escapes for a 6-3 score at the end of the second period. Pucino rallied for three third period takedowns and a two point near fall, Vandervere had three escapes to finish off a 12-9 win for Pucino.

Warren's Gino Ortiz (145) ended the meet with a third period pin.

1/6/2020 ~ By Mike Miazga
Daily Herald Correspondent

Libertyville's Gunther brothers making impact at Illinois

Former Libertyville mat standouts Joey and Michael Gunther are contributors to the nationally ranked University of Illinois wrestling team.

Joey Gunther made headlines at the recent prestigious Midlands Championships in Hoffman Estates by taking third at 174 pounds. Gunther, ranked No. 22 in the country by FloWrestling, defeated No. 21 Ben Harvey and won 4-2 to secure third. Gunther, a redshirt senior, went 5-1 in the tournament and moved to 10-2 on the season. He was 4-1 after his first five duals with 2 decision wins, a major and an overtime win to his credit in those first four wins.

His brother, Michael, is a freshman at 141 pounds for the No. 18-ranked Fighting Illini. Michael Gunther went 1-2 in his first three duals of the season.

Libertyville High School Athletic History:
The First 100 Years (1918 - 2017)
Written by Libertyville High School graduate, retired teacher, current head wrestling coach, and lifelong Libertyville resident Dale Eggert (LHS '74), the book is a comprehensive look at the first century of LHS athletics. It includes feature stories, stats, photos and more!

Coach Eggert will generously donate proceeds from the book sales to the District 128 Foundation for Learning and the Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society. The Foundation for Learning supports programs for students at LHS and VHHS, including the Students in Need Program.

Cost of Book: $40 (includes shipping) Click this link for details on how to purchase your copy of this limited edition history: https://www.d128.org/foundation/lhs-athletic-history-book

Note: Copies are also available for purchase at Sports 11, 838 S. Milwaukee Ave. Libertyville.

Libertyville's Pucino posted to make a run at state title~Daily Herald~11/30~John Bumbales

Reaching the top of the podium in high school wrestling is never an easy task by any stretch of the imagination, but No. 1-ranked Libertyville senior Danny Pucino is just the individual to do it if all goes well for the stellar athlete between now and Feb. 22.

Pucino's road to his current top-ranked status has been a long and arduous one beginning with his earliest days in the sport at the Libertyville Wildcats youth group starting at age five.

From there, Pucino moved on to the Wrestling Factory in Lake Forest in sixth grade before starting his competitive wrestling career at Oak Grove Middle School.

But it was at Libertyville High School that people really started to take notice of Pucino as he exploded onto the scene as a freshman when he just missed getting a medal downstate at 126 pounds.

Then he took third in his sophomore year before placing second last year to Oak Park's Eddie Bolivar, who handed Pucino (44-2) a heartbreaking 7-5 loss in the 132-pound finals.

"It was my first time being in the state finals so I was a little nervous," said Pucino, who will wrestle at the University of Illinois next year along with former teammate Michael Gunther and current teammate E'lan Heard, who has also committed to the Fighting Illini.

"But with the knowledge and training I have now I think it would be a different story, and I think about it every day."

Not only does Pucino have the benefit of wrestling for Hall of Fame coach Dale Eggert, who has a 576-157-2 record heading into his 33rd season, but Pucino's father, Scott, had a long and successful wrestling career at both the high school and college levels.

"Having him (Eggert) as a coach is awesome because he's seen it all, he knows what to expect, and his knowledge is great," said Pucino, whose father was a Division I All-American at the University of Rhode Island as well as a coach at Boston University.

"He (Eggert) taught me how to learn the game on film and break it down, and since starting off in the club he helped me build some simple skills that I didn't think were missing that really helped get me over the edge."

Libertyville has a long history of success and tradition dating back to the first North Suburban Conference meet in 1956. The Wildcats have a total of 28 all-staters and 108 state qualifiers under the guidance of Eggert alone. Libertyville also has three state champions, four second-place finishers, and 10 third-place finishers. Mike Baumann was the last Wildcat wrestler to bring home a state title in 1991, and Pucino has a good chance to be the fourth in school history.

Eggert knows that Pucino can go the distance at State Farm Center in Champaign in late February, but there are no givens when the state meet rolls around.

"He's very athletic for starters, he's spent a lot of time at the sport, he has great technique, and he's got it all," said Eggert, who placed second in the state his senior year at Libertyville before wrestling at Southern Illinois.

"He's one of the favorites. It would take a heck of an effort for an opponent to beat him."

Pucino said that he has done some fine tuning to his training and diet regimen entering his senior season meaning little to no McDonald's, Burger King, or other fast food for the time being, And he wants to make sure that if he does fall short of his ultimate goal that deep down he knows he did everything he could possibly do to win the state crown.

"It's been my goal since I was a little kid to win the state title, and everything I do right now is so I can win a state title," said Pucino, who also looked up to former Libertyville wrestler Joey Gunther, who is a senior at Illinois.

"I don't shy away from working hard, and I want to know I worked the hardest I absolutely could if I don't win it."

Family has been a huge part of Pucino's success and drive over the years as he enters the final stages of his high school career, which seem to have gone by in a heartbeat.

"My Mom (Meg) and Dad have always been there for me, and they've always supported me to achieve my goals and back me," added Pucino, who went 50-3 as a sophomore. "He (Scott Pucino) was a two-time state champion in high school, and a four-time New England Conference champ."

Eggert has certainly enjoyed coaching Pucino over the past three years, and he knows that not too many wrestlers of his caliber come down the pipeline even for a storied program like Libertyville's.

"It's been a pleasure, and it's been a thrill watching him do the incredible, athletic moves that he does," Eggert said. "I'm confident in him putting his best foot forward when it counts, and he's clearly one of the favorites."

Barrington earns Moore-Prettyman crown~11/30-Daily Herald~John Bumbales

Libertyville had a great weekend overall. But No. 1-ranked Danny Pucino was upset by Jacobs senior Jake Harrier as the Old Dominion-bound Harrier recorded an 8-6 overtime victory after forcing the extra session with a takedown with only four seconds left in the third period.

"I look for what I always look for (against Pucino), my singles, and I'll take any shot I can take," said Harrier, who trailed 6-3 after two periods. "Danny is a very good wrestler, he's beaten me both times (before Saturday), he's an awesome wrestler, and I just had to keep on pushing the pace."

Libertyville transfer student E'lan Heard led his 152-pound finals bout 3-0 after two periods. But two-time state champion Dean Hamiti of Joliet Catholic wound up recording a fall with 32 seconds left in the third period.

The Wildcats also got a second-place medal effort from Caelan Riley at 106, and a third from Chase Baczek at 170.

"We had some tough losses against some good people, and we'll learn some great lessons from it," said Libertyville coach Dale Eggert. "He (Pucino) almost had that takedown in overtime, he didn't get it, and that guy (Harrier) finished on him which not a lot of people can't do."

Barrington, Libertyville shine on Day 1 of Moore-Pettyman~11/29~John Bumbales

The first day of the 29th Annual Moore-Prettyman Invitational was a good one for the wrestling teams from the host Broncos and Libertyville Friday at Barrington High School.

Libertyville had even more individuals reach the semifinals than Barrington, starting with No. 1-ranked senior Danny Pucino at 138, and No. 2-ranked transfer student E'lan Heard, who appears to be on a collision course with two-time state champion Dean Hamiti of Joliet Catholic in the 152-pound finals.

The Wildcats also saw top-seeded Caelan Riley (106), Chase Baczek (170), and freshman Caleb Christensen (285) reach the semifinals.

"I counted on the four, but Caleb was a pleasant surprise. You don't see many freshmen at heavyweight," said Libertyville coach Dale Eggert. "But we're looking for other guys to come around to be more of a balanced team."

Follow LHS Wrestling Boosters on Facebook to see photos of various meets. https://www.facebook.com/LHS-Wrestling-Boosters-1930505557211600/

LHS Wrestling Boosters LHS Wrestling Booster Club's mission is to promote and support our wrestlers and have fun doing it.

Last night's results...

#14 Libertyville - 52; #13 Grant 19!

106 C Riley (L) won by forfeit
113 Jean (L) pinned Rogan (G), 5:22
120 I Riley (L) pinned Flores (G), 1:03
126 Bayliff (L) beat Akers (G), 8-0
132 Warmowski (G) beat Costakis (L), 16-4
138 Pucino (L) pinned Berg (G), :39
145 Awaisi (G) beat Brown (L), 4-1
152 Heard (L) pinned Werve (G), :53
160 Knudten (L) beat Rinkenberger (G), 9-2
170 Baczek (L) beat Rainey (G), 6-0
182 Geist (G) pinned Whitney (L), 2:43
195 Brown (G) pinned Pressley (L), :50
220 Smith (L) pinned Gomez (G), 3:05
285 Christensen (L) pinned Gallagher (G), 1:24