Wizards wrestlers win at state

Crystal Lake, IL - March 20th 2008 - After losing 15 wrestlers to high school on last year’s state championship senior team, Crystal Lake Wizards coach Tony Fontanetta thought that this season would to be a down year for the club.

The Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation State Championship Friday and Saturday at the Rockford MetroCentre proved him wrong, with the Wizards capturing three individual state titles and 11 total medals.
“We had a great weekend,” Fontanetta said. “It was supposed to be a rebuilding year for us, but the boys came to wrestle.” As a team, the Wizards qualified 20 wrestlers for state and placed second as a team in the novice division and fifth in seniors.

Leading the charge was Fontanetta’s son, Nick, who won at the 79-pound senior level. It was Nick’s sixth state championship – three at the midget level and three at senior. Tony Fontanetta said that Nick was the only IKWF wrestler to win three titles in each division. Nick will attend Crystal Lake South in the fall. The midget division is for wrestlers who are 8 to 10 years old, novice wrestlers are 10 to 12, and senior wrestlers are 12 to 14.

Gage Harrah won at 177-pound senior, his third state championship as a Wizard. In the novice division, Michael Zelasco won at 79 pounds. Harrah also will graduate the Wizards program and attend Crystal Lake Central.

To qualify for the state tournament, wrestlers must place in the top six at regionals and then finish in the top three at sectionals. “Getting there is a big deal,” Tony Fontanetta said. One his strategies, Tony Fontanetta said, was to wrestle boys who qualify for two divisions at the higher level. “We like to get them there a year early,” Tony Fontanetta said. “Then the next year they’re not awestruck.”

He also takes his best wrestlers to elite tournaments that draw athletes from a four-state area. The competition and experience wrestling in larger meets proves beneficial when the wrestlers get to state, he said.
“Once they get to the state tournament, it’s kind of old hat, they’re not nervous,” Tony Fontanetta said.

Rounding out the medal winners in the novice division for the Wizards were Sean Cannon, second at 66; Nick Peters, second at 89; Jeff Morrow third at 70; Kyle Fugiel, third at 74; Austin Ryan, fourth at 62; and Brian Loftin, eighth at 130. Medaling in the senior division were: Jason Fugiel, second at 101 and Logan Kein, seventh at 147.

Who's up for "2008 Chicago Cup"

On Tuesday, February 5th World Sport Chicago will return to Northwestern University's Welsh-Ryan Arena in McGraw Hall to host the Second Annual Chicago Cup. The 2008 Chicago Cup will feature the first ever World Champion Grecco-Roman Men's Team from the United States versus a very strong team from Bulgaria. The US Women's National Team will also return to face-off against the Polish Women's Team in the Olympic Weights. Don't miss your opportunity to preview many hopefuls for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and also look out for Northwestern's own Jake Herbert as he faces off against international competitors. This is surely not an event to be missed!

Link to event flier: chicagocupflier

Location

Welsh-Ryan Arena
Northwestern University
2705 Ashland Ave.
Evanston, IL 60208

Ilwrestling.com’s “Two-bits” worth their weight in GOLD.

We here at ilwrestling.com like to start the year out with a list of wrestlers we think you, the fan, should see in action.  These are all very talented wrestlers and are worth your time to observe at your next local IKWF tournament. Of course there are a lot of talented kids at all ages and weights throughout the IKWF and some are not on this list. This list is not the "end all / be all" for wrestlers in the IKWF. Its way to difficult to “rank” wrestlers at this time of year.  Way too many factors too try and equate. So, here is this year’s preseason lists…

1. Joey Allegretti(VIT)- Comes back STRONGER then ever.

2. Dylan Reel(CER)- Dylan is the REEL deal.

3. Michael Johnson(RWC)- Time to rack up the IKWF titles now.

4. Nick Fontanetta(CLW)- The next IKWF 3X’er???

5. Cameron Kennedy(FACTORY)- He’s a Kennedy, nough said.

5. Bryce Brill(FV)- One of the nation’s elite.

6. Eddie Klimara(VIT)- Is this the year Eddie gets it done. A cat?!?!?!!!

7. Ricky Robertson(VIT)- This Cat is king of the beasties.

8. Gage Harrah(CLW)- Yet another tough Wizard.

9. Zane Richards(CAR)- Deep South skillz.

10. Josh Bennett(BULLS)- Different club, same result.  TOUGH!

11. Brad Johnson-(LEM)- Big guy to watch for.

12. Sam Brooks(LH)- This dog will be in the hunt this year.

13. Austin Gomez(GWA)- A must see for the little guys.

14. Jordan Ellingwood(MFVE)- Best is yet to come?

15. Nuntrea Jackson(HPDT)- Leads a loaded group of Twisters.

16. Brian Murphy(V/L)- Big win at state deserves props.

17. Demechio Spraggins(GC)- This Warrior is a sign of things to come.

18. Josh Albers(DAK)- Latest edition of the Dakota wrestling machine.

19. Ernest Battaglia(FV)- Bags is rock solid.

20. Notay Jackson(HPDT)- Red storm just keeps coming.

21. Jon Marmolejo(GWA)- Another young gun from Gomez.

22. Collin Holler(FV)- Standing on top of the podium this year?

23. Steve Congenie(MFVE)- Important ‘cog’ for the Martinez team.

24. Jared Jayne(BRO)- JJ looking to repeat.

25. Jabari Moody(HPDT)- This Moody going to give you da blues.

25. David Pearce(BULLS)- Another contender from the Bulls. 3?

Wrestlinggear.com Announcement!!!

Fall Clinic To Help Coaches

“GET READY FOR THE MAT!”

Elmhurst , IL – August 27, 2007 – Wrestlinggear.com is working with youth, high school and college coaches to put together a unique program to help coaches “Get Ready for the Mat!” In addition to several sessions on technique, there will be sessions on how coaches can improve their team’s results both on and off the mat.

“I think we have put together a unique program of coaches and wrestling leaders who will talk about ideas on building a program like marketing, motivation and team building. It won’t be just another technique clinic. Also, coaches will be able to visit tables of wrestling top manufacturers. Matman, adidas, Asics, Brute are planning on attending our clinic.”

All the proceeds from the clinic will be given to The Smile Train, an organization that helps kids with cleft lips. A cleft lip is a condition where the top of the lip does not form properly during pregnancy. A cleft lip can be corrected with surgery. WrestlingGear.Com has already raised over $7,500 since we started working with The Smile Train.

“We are looking forward to helping kids who were born with a cleft lip that might otherwise have to live with this fixable facial birth defect. With our National website and our local clinic we can help build awareness about cleft lips and help raise money to help children,” says Jeff Pape, owner of WrestlingGear.Com, whose son was born with a cleft lip.

For more information, please contact WrestlingGear.Com’s owner, Jeff Pape, at 800-565-0995 or locally at 630-832-0500. Be sure to leave September 23, 2007 open so you can attend this clinic in Franklin Park , IL . Clinic will be from 1:00 to 5:00. Resurrection Lutheran Church at 9920 W. Grand Ave , Franklin Park , IL will once again host our clinic.

Returning speakers will include Mark Massery, NCAA Champion and Wild Cat Wrestling Club President, Mike Bukovsky, Head Coach Montini Catholic and Harry McGinnis, Head Coach and Athletic Director Triton College . New this year will be Israel Martinez of Izzy Style wrestling. Israel was a five time IKWF State Champion and 3 time IHSA StateChampion.

If you can not attend the clinic, but would like to help with our efforts, send a check made payable to The Smile Train, c/o WrestlingGear.Com, 655 W. Grand Ave, Ste 140 60126. The Smile Train is a 501 (C) 3 organization so your contributions will be tax deductible as allowed by law.

About WrestlingGear.Com:

WrestlingGear.Com, Ltd is one of the most visited wrestling websites in the country. Started in 1998, it now offers products from adidas, Asics, Brute, Championship Productions, Cliff Keen, Matman, Suples, Tanita and other major wrestling companies. Every year, more wrestlers “Get Ready for the Mat!” with WrestlingGear.Com.

About The Smile Train:

The Smile Train is a non-profit organization that provides services and programs in more than 60 countries — including the United States — has helped provide free surgery for thousands of children as well as free training and education for more than 15,000 surgeons and medical professionals. Additionally, The Smile Train is sponsoring major research projects that are searching for a way to prevent clefts. For more information visit:www.smiletrain.org

Team Illinois Schoolboys win Freestyle consolation bracket; 6th in Greco-Roman
New Jersey prevents Illinois Schoolboy “double”

Indianapolis, IN - June 11th, 2007 - For the second year in a row, Team Illinois finished third in their pool and finished the freestyle dual tournament by winning the consolation bracket. Placed in the “D” pool, Illinois lost it’s opening dual with Minnesota-gold(53-31). Team Illinois beat Kansas(60-23) in round two and throttled Virginia(61-17) in round three. New Jersey topped Illinois(42-33) to send Illinois into the consolation bracket. Illinois finished off pool competition with a victory over Indiana-blue(59-28). In the consolation bracket Team Illinois rolled past New York(58-26) and Delaware(52-28). In the semi final round, Illinois beat a tough Michigan team(45-39). In the finals Illinois gutted out a tight dual against Minnesota-maroon(42-41). Trailing 40-24 going into the final four weight classes, and Minnesota-maroon forfeiting the last two, Illinois needed a decision and a fall to seal the victory. Cody Weaver(185lbs.) stuck Isaac Eichman(6-0, 0:55) and Austin Marsden(205lbs) came through with a huge three period win over Taylor Neaton(0-1, 3-1, 3-2). Team Illinois finished with a combined record of 13-6

NAME – GRECO – FREESTYLE - OVERALL

Zach Synon 1-8 , 6-2 , 7-10
Cain Salas 2-2 , 0-3 , 2-5
Brett Lunn 4-4 , 5-2 , 9-6
Josh Bennett 0-6 , 3-5 , 3-11
Eddie Klimara 8-1 , 9-0 , 17-1
Mike Mizuar 1-3 , 0-1 , 1-4
Tyler Nagel 2-3, 3-5 , 5-8
Kylor Sorenson 3-3 , 2-4 , 5-7
Brady Kolb 1-2, 2-1 , 3-3
Edwin Cooper 3-1 , 7-0 , 10-1
Nolberto DeAvela 1-4 , 3-0 , 4-4
Zane Richards 5-4 , 5-3 , 10-7
Steve Burling 1-2 , 0-3 , 1-5
Mike Andrukaitis 1-5 , 2-5 , 3-10
Sam Brooks 5-4 , 4-4 , 9-8
Zach Patterson 1-8 , 1-7 , 2-15
O`Shea Smith Traylor 3-5 , 5-5 , 8-10
Dylan Reel 5-1 , 2-0 , 7-1
Brian Strenk 5-1 , 7-1 , 12-2
Cody Weaver 5-0 , 6-1 , 11-1
Mason Wright 1-2 , 5-2 , 6-4
Austin Marsden 9-1 , 7-1 , 16-2
Shaquille McMurtry 9-0 , 9-0 , 18-0 - All Greco Team
Wren Goff 7-2 , 7-2 , 14-4

2007 USA Wrestling Schoolboy Freestyle/Greco-Roman National Duals;

Team Illinois qualifies for the Championship bracket after day one

(June 8th, 2007 Indianapolis, IN) - Illinois is one of twenty-three teams from across the U.S. that entered the USA Wrestling Greco-Roman National Duals. The two-day event kicked off yesterday with pool competition and one round of championship bracket competition. Team Illinois finished second in the “B” pool only losing their opening dual meet with Wisconsin. After the loss, Illinois bounced back with victories over North Carolina(70-13), Missouri(47-38), Ohio(50-18) and Oklahoma(65-23). In the opening round of the championship bracket, Illinois came up short in a hard-fought dual against Washington(47-28). Washington advanced to the championship bracket by winning pool “A.” Next for Team Illinois is pool “D” champions Minnesota-gold and Illinois finishes with pool “C” runner-ups, Kansas. Greco-Roman placement duals start later this afternoon and the Freestyle portion of the tournament begins tonight.

Team Illinois:

75 Synon, Zach
80 Lunn, Brett
80 Salas, Cain
85 Bennett, Josh
90 Klimara, Eddie
95 Nagel, Tyler
95 Mizuar, Mike
100 Sorenson, Kylor
100 Kolb, Brady
105 DeAvela, Nolberto
105 Cooper, Edwin
110 Richards, Zane
115 Andrukaitis, Mike
115 Burling, Steve
120 Brooks, Sam
125 Smith Traylor, O`Shea
125 Patterson, Zach
145 Strenk, Brian
145 Reel, Dylan
165 Wright, Mason
165 Weaver, Cody
185 Marsden, Austin
205 McMurtry, Shaquille
250 Goff, Wren

Results hosted by: www.trackwrestling.com