admin
01-16-2006, 03:01 PM
http://illinoismatmen.com/images/ccl_medals.jpgChicago Catholic League Preview
This Saturday at De LaSalle High School, 35th and Michigan in Chicago, the Chicago Catholic League will square off for the 69th time to determine their individual and team champions. Over the last 20 years the CCL has been the most dominate conference in the state and many of its individuals as well as teams have signaled they will be ready for the upcoming state tournament by a championship in this event. The CCL has captured 16 of the last 19 team state championships in Class AA. Last year the CCL produced six state champions, five in Class AA and one in Class A.
This year should be no different for the individuals as five defending champs and six runner ups return this year. Nineteen CCL wrestlers are ranked in the top ten in the state. Leading the parade of returning champs will be Mount Carmel's Mario Morgan seeking his fourth championship and a bid to become just the eighth four time champ in sixty eight years. Morgan is ranked number one in the state at 125 pounds but standing directly in his way is second ranked Kyle Hutter of Providence, also a defending champion last year at 119. These two rivals battled hard in last months Dvorak 125 pound semi final with Morgan winning 6-2, and the rematch has been long awaited by fans of Illinois wrestling.
St. Rita's Albert White is a two time conference champ as well as a two time state champion and top ranked at 145 this year. Expect White to dominate his weight class with maybe a challenge from Providence's Marty Murphy or Mt. Carmel's Robert Barbour, a runner up last year.
Providence's John Starzyk has changed singlets since last year’s championships but still comes in as the defending state champion and the very heavy favorite in the 119 weight class to repeat. Expect Starzyk's replacement from St. Rita, John Majika to meet in the finals.
St. Rita also will send second ranked Jerome Ward out at 189 to defend his title from last year. Ward, who has been blowing through state competition, should continue to impress at this meet as well. Tyler Mancuso of Providence is a serious contender to Ward's title hopes.
An interesting side note is that all five of the returning champs are nationally ranked and four (Starzyk, Morgan, White and Ward) of the five returning CCL champs won titles at last month's Dvorak Invitational. All five are ranked in the top two in the state at their respective weight classes. The CCL captured seven out of 14 championships at the Dvorak to further prove their dominance.
Other tight championship races will take place at 103, 130, 135 and 160. Mt. Carmel's B J Futrell, second ranked at 103 and Fenwick's Bobby Barnheisel just back from injury are expected to battle for the lightweight title. Providence's Joe Augle is also a serious title contender. At 130 Adam Canty of St. Rita, ranked seventh has had an exceptional season but could face strong challenges from 2x Class A state champ Mike Ryan. Providence's Ron Uccardi just defeated Canty in the Geneseo championship in overtime so he will have a say in who wins 130. The 135 weight class features fourth ranked Thomas Webster of host De La Salle and Providence's Tim Walsh but the man to beat is second ranked Steve Zimmerman of St. Rita also a Dvorak champion. Darrick Hardy of Mt. Carmel and Bill Cascone of St. Rita figure to renew their rivalry but Jake Kimbelin of Bishop McNamera may cause problems in this weight class or at 152 if he drops. In the heavyweight division look for Mt. Carmel's Tim Lambert and Fenwick's Carmen Curio to battle it out. Mt. Carmel's second ranked Christian Brantley, who won the Dvorak, should control the 215 division.
The Chicago Catholic League has had three teams nationally (St. Rita, Providence and Mt. Carmel) ranked this past season yet for the first time in many years it will not boast the defending state champ. That honor goes to Sandburg of the Southwest Conference but St. Rita, Providence and Mt. Carmel are currently ranked in the top seven in illinoismatmen.com latest state polls. St. Rita recently captured the Geneseo tournament over a close behind Providence. Mt. Carmel battling injuries has struggled of late but did capture the Ohio Midwest Classic in early December. St. Rita (2nd) Providence (4th) and Mt. Carmel (6th) all placed high at the 32 team Dvorak last month. Fenwick has good individuals and could sneak past Mt. Carmel if the Caravan is not careful. Bishop McNamara is much improved team wise and will score team points in several weight classes.
CCL Predictions (Team Predicted Finish)
St Rita
Providence
Mount Carmel
Fenwick
Bishop Mac
Gordon Tech
Brother Rice
St Laurence
Loyola
Hales
Guerin
St. Francis De Sales
This Saturday at De LaSalle High School, 35th and Michigan in Chicago, the Chicago Catholic League will square off for the 69th time to determine their individual and team champions. Over the last 20 years the CCL has been the most dominate conference in the state and many of its individuals as well as teams have signaled they will be ready for the upcoming state tournament by a championship in this event. The CCL has captured 16 of the last 19 team state championships in Class AA. Last year the CCL produced six state champions, five in Class AA and one in Class A.
This year should be no different for the individuals as five defending champs and six runner ups return this year. Nineteen CCL wrestlers are ranked in the top ten in the state. Leading the parade of returning champs will be Mount Carmel's Mario Morgan seeking his fourth championship and a bid to become just the eighth four time champ in sixty eight years. Morgan is ranked number one in the state at 125 pounds but standing directly in his way is second ranked Kyle Hutter of Providence, also a defending champion last year at 119. These two rivals battled hard in last months Dvorak 125 pound semi final with Morgan winning 6-2, and the rematch has been long awaited by fans of Illinois wrestling.
St. Rita's Albert White is a two time conference champ as well as a two time state champion and top ranked at 145 this year. Expect White to dominate his weight class with maybe a challenge from Providence's Marty Murphy or Mt. Carmel's Robert Barbour, a runner up last year.
Providence's John Starzyk has changed singlets since last year’s championships but still comes in as the defending state champion and the very heavy favorite in the 119 weight class to repeat. Expect Starzyk's replacement from St. Rita, John Majika to meet in the finals.
St. Rita also will send second ranked Jerome Ward out at 189 to defend his title from last year. Ward, who has been blowing through state competition, should continue to impress at this meet as well. Tyler Mancuso of Providence is a serious contender to Ward's title hopes.
An interesting side note is that all five of the returning champs are nationally ranked and four (Starzyk, Morgan, White and Ward) of the five returning CCL champs won titles at last month's Dvorak Invitational. All five are ranked in the top two in the state at their respective weight classes. The CCL captured seven out of 14 championships at the Dvorak to further prove their dominance.
Other tight championship races will take place at 103, 130, 135 and 160. Mt. Carmel's B J Futrell, second ranked at 103 and Fenwick's Bobby Barnheisel just back from injury are expected to battle for the lightweight title. Providence's Joe Augle is also a serious title contender. At 130 Adam Canty of St. Rita, ranked seventh has had an exceptional season but could face strong challenges from 2x Class A state champ Mike Ryan. Providence's Ron Uccardi just defeated Canty in the Geneseo championship in overtime so he will have a say in who wins 130. The 135 weight class features fourth ranked Thomas Webster of host De La Salle and Providence's Tim Walsh but the man to beat is second ranked Steve Zimmerman of St. Rita also a Dvorak champion. Darrick Hardy of Mt. Carmel and Bill Cascone of St. Rita figure to renew their rivalry but Jake Kimbelin of Bishop McNamera may cause problems in this weight class or at 152 if he drops. In the heavyweight division look for Mt. Carmel's Tim Lambert and Fenwick's Carmen Curio to battle it out. Mt. Carmel's second ranked Christian Brantley, who won the Dvorak, should control the 215 division.
The Chicago Catholic League has had three teams nationally (St. Rita, Providence and Mt. Carmel) ranked this past season yet for the first time in many years it will not boast the defending state champ. That honor goes to Sandburg of the Southwest Conference but St. Rita, Providence and Mt. Carmel are currently ranked in the top seven in illinoismatmen.com latest state polls. St. Rita recently captured the Geneseo tournament over a close behind Providence. Mt. Carmel battling injuries has struggled of late but did capture the Ohio Midwest Classic in early December. St. Rita (2nd) Providence (4th) and Mt. Carmel (6th) all placed high at the 32 team Dvorak last month. Fenwick has good individuals and could sneak past Mt. Carmel if the Caravan is not careful. Bishop McNamara is much improved team wise and will score team points in several weight classes.
CCL Predictions (Team Predicted Finish)
St Rita
Providence
Mount Carmel
Fenwick
Bishop Mac
Gordon Tech
Brother Rice
St Laurence
Loyola
Hales
Guerin
St. Francis De Sales