Neither Lincoln-Way Central nor Yorkville had ever competed at Barrington’s Moore-Prettyman Invitational, but the 24th annual incarnation was kind to both the Knights and the Foxes.
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Lyons won the team title but Lincoln-Way Central placed second and Yorkville finished third. The Knights got a title from heavyweight Bryan Ditchman and seconds from Vinnie Piunti at 120 and Jake Dudeck at 182 pounds.
Top-seeded Ditchman won 5-2 over second-seeded Matt Allen of Hinsdale Central in their title match.
“I wrestled his brother (Brian) last year but they have very different styles,” Ditchman said. “All I did was watch his matches and make sure that I knew how to counter his moves and get the first takedown.”
For Knights’ coach Jason DePolo, the secret to Ditchman’s success is no secret.
“He stays in such good position,” DePolo said. “Allen teched a kid in the semifinals but Bryan just forces himself to stay in really good position. In matches like those, Bryan can take it to another level.
“We’re happy to come up for this tournament. It’s a good gauge for us and for our younger kids, to see where they are at the beginning of the season.”
The Knights also got thirds from Austin Rudsinski (106), Joe Brauer (113), and Brandon Dominski (170).
Yorkville led the two-day tournament early on Saturday before Lyons took control.
The Foxes’ Bryce Shewan placed second at 160 and Yorkville got a third from Brody Sharp at 145 for a program that dominated its first two duals to open the year.
“I’m thinking we’re going to do great this year,” Sharp said. “We’ve got a lot of young kids but also a lot of experienced kids that know what we have to do. We’re optimistic about what we can accomplish.”
Waubonsie Valley had a pair of juniors place in Barrington when Max Ihry finished fifth at 220 and Tyler Caldwell placed sixth at 285 pounds.
Ihry scored late in the third period to secure his 9-6 decision win over Libertyville’s Mark Dunsing for fifth, as a 200-pounder wrestling at 220 to start the season.
“I was either down or tied up late in that match and I think it’s just smarter for me to wrestle at 195,” Ihry said. “I had to outwork him and my conditioning helped me today.”
South Elgin had a pair of placers in Izzy Villareal and Zack Crosby. Villareal finished fourth at 106 while Crosby took sixth at 182 pounds.