MACHESNEY PARK • Harlem High School is set to host the 36th Annual Al Dvorak Memorial Tournament, and “The Dvorak” is still considered Illinois’ premier individual holiday competition—a Dvorak title is always a notch in one’s belt.
With a mix of teams from all three classifications, the tournament always has exciting matchups that could never happen without such a large assemblage. Similarly, and most importantly for the fans, there are always great bouts that later become state championship blood round or quarterfinal or semifinal or even state championship matches in a few months. Having these early-match previews and seeing this type of high-level wrestling only enhances the viewership and friendly pontifications that make each round that much more exciting.
This year’s field consists of 40 teams, 38 from Illinois and two from Wisconsin, and each of the two Wisconsin teams wrestle in the Division 1 classification. In the total collection of programs, 103 wrestlers are ranked in the top ten of their school’s classification, and 55 wrestlers are mentioned in the rankings as ten-plus or Honorable Mention. That means that the overall field will contain 158 wrestlers who are having a season where their dreams may become reality, or at least get close enough to have a chance to grab it.
For the field assembled, this should make for an exciting two days of wrestling out in Machesney Park for any fan in attendance.
Here is a list of the teams in this year’s Dvorak:
Belleville East • Belvidere North • Bolingbrook • Conant • Crystal Lake Central • Dakota • Edwardsville • Freeport • Fremd • Glenbard North • Harlem • Hersey • Hononegah • Huntley • IC Catholic Prep • Joliet West • Libertyville • Lincoln-Way Central • Lincoln-Way East • Lockport • Loyola Academy • Marian Central Catholic • Marshfield, WI • McHenry • Milton, WI • Moline • Montini Catholic • Niles Notre Dame • Normal Community • Plainfield North • Plainfield South • Prairie Ridge • Providence Catholic • Round Lake • Schaumburg • St. Charles East • St. Rita • Wauconda • Wheaton North • Yorkville
Below is a list do the participating schools that are currently ranked via Illinois Matmen’s Team Ranking, ranked by Rob Sherrill, as well as each school’s past three Dvorak finishes by order of most recent: 2023, 2022, and 2021.
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3A
#04 • Yorkville (11, 10, 28)
#06 • Hononegah (5, 33, 36)
#08 • St. Charles East (1, 1, 10)
#10 • Lockport (8, 3, 4)
#14 • Hersey (4, 6, 8)
#16 • Lincoln-Way East (12, 13, —)
#17 • Lincoln-Way Central (16, 25, —)
#19 • Edwardsville (12, 18, 20)
#20 • Normal (—, —, —)
#23 • Glenbard North (10, 7, 18)
#24 • Huntley (24, 28, 24)
HM • Conant • Fremd • Joliet West • Libertyville • Moline • • Plainfield North • Schaumburg
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2A
#01 • Montini (3, 21, 35)
#03 • IC Catholic (—, —, —)
#08 • Crystal Lake Central (26, 26, 16)
#16 • Wauconda (7, —, —)
#19 • St. Rita (35, 29, 25)
#22 • Niles Notre Dame (—, —,—)
HM • Providence
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1A
#01 • Marian Central (6, 17, 34)
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In the team race, Hononegah (3A) showed its power early on, most notably at Barrington’s Moore-Prettyman-Dunn, a few weeks ago when they separated themselves from the field and proved that they are more than just a few good young wrestlers. Fortunately for the state, but not for Hononegah, the Indians are not at full strength, but they have several wrestlers who have the potential to be finalists, as well as a strong mix of guys who will find a way to find a way to the podium—this makes them a viable contender for a Dvorak crown. Keep an eye out for the purple singlets and the young men who will be representing them.
Outside of 3A, with not only horsepower, but with number one rankings in their own classifications, are Montini Catholic (2A) and Marian Central Catholic (1A). Each program has seen a resurgence in the past two seasons. With new head coaches in place, and a crop of new wrestlers donning their school colors, each of these programs should be near the top of the heap when the final whistle is blown. Last season, Montini finished as the 2A Dual Team State runner-up while Marian Central won the 1A championship. Each of these schools have their studs, and they should shine and find semifinal and final berths, but it will be those in the wrestlebacks that determine if either of these two schools will have a real shot at a Dvorak team title. Like Hononegah, those on the backside of the bracket will need to be in a race to climb as high as possible on that podium.
Certainly not to be overlooked is also last year’s 3A’s Dual Team State runner-up, Yorkville. Currently, they are ranked number four, and they have the potential to disrupt a few team’s hopes of claiming a title or earning a trophy—or maybe they can even win the whole thing. The Fighting Foxes have a strong collection of wrestlers who come in with hard-nosed hand fights and just a forward and strong style of wrestling. They are fun to watch, and it is easy to see how their doggedness has led them to their successes. Even though this will be the first big tournament for the Foxes, look for them to bring their best wrestling and collect a significant number of individual medals. By Sunday night, they will need some big points out of their top guys and have a few outliers make a name for themselves in this one if they are going to be in contention by for that coveted Dvorak title.
Not to be outdone or forgotten about is the number eight team in 3A and two-time defending Dvorak champions, St. Charles East. The Fighting Saints are going to have to come into this one and, well, fight. They have wrestlers who should find their way to the finals, but their bid for a third-consecutive title will need to be a complete team effort. And, if nothing else, the past two seasons of winning a state title and a third-place trophy, the Saints have learned how to be a more complete team that not only knows how to pull for one another, but who also knows how to step up when they are needed most. The Saints will be an interesting watch as they have found ways to take their more average wrestlers and make them impactful. Look for this to be the case once again.
In that same conversation of a potential spoiler for another team’s trophy is IC Catholic. The Knights are currently ranked number three in 2A, and they have a good number of individuals who can collect points in bunches. However, where IC is going to have to be intentional in their wrestling, if they are going to trophy, is in gathering falls to make up for weight classes where they may not gather as many points. If they find some those falls, or even technical falls, on their way into a handful of quarterfinal or semifinal bouts, they can certainly be a trophy spoiler for a few programs in this one and maybe even earn one for themselves.
Overall, each of the top teams, as well as a variety of other schools, have guys that should be showcased in the finals come Sunday afternoon. However, as is true of all the bigger tournaments, this Dvorak title is going to be won by having a few finalists and having a collection of medals in the wrestlebacks. Individually, there does not appear to be one team that is far superior to any of the others. This one should be a grind, which will be a great watch for fans. And, ultimately, this year’s race will be decided by the wrestlers who are going to be able to collect themselves after tough or early loss, and simply wrestle their way to the podium for their team to help them earn a Dvorak team title or trophy.
In addition to the top-ranked teams, there are some other teams that could make this tournament interesting, if not spoil some individual and team hopes along the way.
The first is going to be Wheaton North, who showed in Barrington that they have wrestlers who can score points, defeat high-level opponents, and place. Could this be the team that gathers crowd support as the team race tightens and their individual matches become valuable team points? It is very possible. With new leadership at the helm, the Falcons appear to have that grit of the early 2000’s and a swagger about them that has not been seen in some time. Keep your eyes on the Falcons as the rounds advance closer and closer to the medal matches, and how the crowd and other teams react to their matchups.
Another team to be on the lookout for is Providence Catholic. The Celtics have not been the powerhouse they have been in the past, but they are growing and gathering, and they are doing it rather quickly. With a collection of talented freshmen in the lineup, along with their program’s face, Tommy Banas, they might be able to wrestle themselves into some conversations as well as knock off some of some other top guys on their way to the podium. Overall, the program seems to be gaining momentum, and this group of youngsters may take this tournament and make a statement about the once mighty Celtics moving forward.
The last few teams are those that grind and will be advancing several wrestlers early on. Between 3A’s Hersey, Lincoln-Way East and Lincoln-Way Central, and Lockport, as well as 2A’s Crystal Lake Central, there should be some strong battles for a top ten team finish, as well as a logjam to get into the top five. Additionally, individual matchups will prove just as valuable. In that, when talking about disruptors in the team scores, these are five teams that are walking in trying to win matches and push wrestlers onto the podium. Look for these teams and their wrestlers, as well as others, to make some significant statements as they battle hard and make some noise along the way.
Session One wrestling will begin on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. On Saturday, there will be four rounds wrestled, two in each of the first two session, and the night will conclude with championship quarterfinal matchups and the third round of the consolations…and those quarterfinals will be spectacular.
Here is a look at the Dvorak schedule:
Saturday, December 21
Session 1
9:30 a.m.
• Round 1: Championship Preliminaries
• Round 2: Championship Round 1 (112 matches, 8 mats) and Consolation Round 1
Session 2
• Round 3: Consolation Round 2 (112 matches, 8 mats)
• Round 4: Championship Quarterfinals (56 matches, 6 mats) and Consolation Round 3 (56 matches, 8 mats)
Sunday, December 22
Session 3
9:00 a.m.
• Round 5: Consolation Round 4 (56 matches, 8 mats)
• Round 6: Championship Semifinals (28 matches, 3 mats) and Consolation Round 5 (28 matches, 3 mats)
• Round 7: Consolation Semifinals (28 matches, 6 mats)
At the conclusion of this round, there will be a 30-minute break
• Round 8: Medal Matches for 3rd, 5th, 7th (6 mats)
• Round 9: Championship (2 mats)
If you have been to the Dvorak, then you know the excitement. If you have not, be sure to make some time this weekend and head out to Harlem High School, this year should be an exciting team race, as well as several incredible matchups.
• TC LIFONTI / LEAD WRITER FOR ILLINOIS MATMEN / tclifonti.com
