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12-28-2006, 09:34 AM
http://www.mchs.net/sports/sportspage/sports_05/graphics/images/mlogo2.jpgBY MIKE GAROFOLA
Daily Herald Correspondent
Updated Berman Brackets (http://209.7.8.164/ilwrestle/bermanbrackets.pdf)
Bigger and better than ever after the addition of several new clubs, the now 25-team Berman Holiday Classic field is still chasing state-ranked Minooka at Palatine.
Minooka, which is threatening to run away with its second consecutive championship, has eight competitors in today’s 11:30 a.m. semifinals. The Indians have 141.5 points to build a 25.5-point lead over the state-ranked duo of Lyons and Lincoln-Way Central.
Area teams Hinsdale South, St. Charles East, Leyden, Lake Zurich, Palatine, Hinsdale Central and an injury-riddled Warren squad, last year’s runner-up, round out the top 10 in a tightly bunched group.
“Adding teams like Lyons, Glenbard East, Hinsdale Central and a fifth mat to compete on really made for a very competitive first day and the hope for (an) even better touurnament next season,” said Palatine second-year coach Dan Collins, who will have four Pirates in today’s championship bracket: Dale Jarosz (21-0, 112), Zach Zordan (12-1, 125), Ross Grande (23-3, 152) and Chris Garcia (18-2) at 171.
Grande will face No. 1 seed Steve Olin (Minooka) after edging Andre Vieyra of Lyons 3-1 in an afternoon quarter-final bout.
“I am not looking ahead to anything beyond my next match,” said Grande, who admitted to doing so at the Moore-Prettyman tournament in anticipation of possible meeting St. Rita’s Albert White.
There is likely no one looking ahead to time on the mats with Glenbard East behemoth Pat Walker, who validated his top seed here after a pair of stealthy victories to earn a spot in the semis opposite Pat Hoszkiewicz of Maine East.
The junior surprised both of his victims with falls at 0:44 and 0:56 seconds.
“I know all of the Web sites and blogs said I didn’t have any competition (here) at the Berman,” said Walker, “but I am not paying attention to what’s written. My goal is to stay sharp, and to wrestle the way I want to and not let down at any point in my matches.”
Area wrestlers Juan Giron (Leyden) and Alex Sonka (Hinsdale South) were both responsible for delivering upset specials.
Giron (10-10) bumped off No. 3 Joe Bonomo (Downers Grove North) 12-5 in a 171-pound quarterfinal, while Sonka (17-5) sent top-seed Joe Mahy (Lincoln-Way Central) into the backdraw following his 13-9 decision at 189.
Leyden’s Chris Reed (119, 17-4) and Isiah Recinos (112) joined Giron in the semifinals. Reed had a dominant performance in a 11-2 major-decision victory over Marcus Rangel of Minooka.
Today will begin with a round of wrestleback quarter-finals at 9:30 a.m. followed by championship bracket wrestling featuring semifinal bouts.
Third-, fifth- and seventh-place matches are set to begin at 3 p.m. and will lead into tonight’s championship matches at 5 p.m.
Daily Herald Correspondent
Updated Berman Brackets (http://209.7.8.164/ilwrestle/bermanbrackets.pdf)
Bigger and better than ever after the addition of several new clubs, the now 25-team Berman Holiday Classic field is still chasing state-ranked Minooka at Palatine.
Minooka, which is threatening to run away with its second consecutive championship, has eight competitors in today’s 11:30 a.m. semifinals. The Indians have 141.5 points to build a 25.5-point lead over the state-ranked duo of Lyons and Lincoln-Way Central.
Area teams Hinsdale South, St. Charles East, Leyden, Lake Zurich, Palatine, Hinsdale Central and an injury-riddled Warren squad, last year’s runner-up, round out the top 10 in a tightly bunched group.
“Adding teams like Lyons, Glenbard East, Hinsdale Central and a fifth mat to compete on really made for a very competitive first day and the hope for (an) even better touurnament next season,” said Palatine second-year coach Dan Collins, who will have four Pirates in today’s championship bracket: Dale Jarosz (21-0, 112), Zach Zordan (12-1, 125), Ross Grande (23-3, 152) and Chris Garcia (18-2) at 171.
Grande will face No. 1 seed Steve Olin (Minooka) after edging Andre Vieyra of Lyons 3-1 in an afternoon quarter-final bout.
“I am not looking ahead to anything beyond my next match,” said Grande, who admitted to doing so at the Moore-Prettyman tournament in anticipation of possible meeting St. Rita’s Albert White.
There is likely no one looking ahead to time on the mats with Glenbard East behemoth Pat Walker, who validated his top seed here after a pair of stealthy victories to earn a spot in the semis opposite Pat Hoszkiewicz of Maine East.
The junior surprised both of his victims with falls at 0:44 and 0:56 seconds.
“I know all of the Web sites and blogs said I didn’t have any competition (here) at the Berman,” said Walker, “but I am not paying attention to what’s written. My goal is to stay sharp, and to wrestle the way I want to and not let down at any point in my matches.”
Area wrestlers Juan Giron (Leyden) and Alex Sonka (Hinsdale South) were both responsible for delivering upset specials.
Giron (10-10) bumped off No. 3 Joe Bonomo (Downers Grove North) 12-5 in a 171-pound quarterfinal, while Sonka (17-5) sent top-seed Joe Mahy (Lincoln-Way Central) into the backdraw following his 13-9 decision at 189.
Leyden’s Chris Reed (119, 17-4) and Isiah Recinos (112) joined Giron in the semifinals. Reed had a dominant performance in a 11-2 major-decision victory over Marcus Rangel of Minooka.
Today will begin with a round of wrestleback quarter-finals at 9:30 a.m. followed by championship bracket wrestling featuring semifinal bouts.
Third-, fifth- and seventh-place matches are set to begin at 3 p.m. and will lead into tonight’s championship matches at 5 p.m.