The youth movement in the Mundelein wrestling program took another step forward last weekend when its three top wrestlers competed in the Class 3A state meet.
After coming off a strong sectional tournament at Barrington one week earlier, the Mustangs’ trio of junior Dane Durlacher, sophomore Reese Durlacher and sophomore Logan Kvien set out to make a statement in their first tournament appearance.
“It was another terrific weekend for Mustangs wrestling,” said coach Roy Seeger, who watched Dane Durlacher earn a fourth-place medal at 106 pounds. “Dane was so very impressive. That 106 weight class was loaded, and he still found a way to get out of it and earn himself a medal.”
Kvien went 2-2 in the 170-pound bracket and fell just short of the medal round. Reese Durlacher (40-9) lost both of his matches at 113.
“When it’s your first trip here, you don’t necessarily expect to go home with a medal, but the closer you get, you realize it’s possible to get one,” Dane Durlacher said.
Dane Durlacher (42-7) had an arduous journey to the medal stand. In the wrestlebacks, he defeated Lockport sophomore Matt Ramos and Plainfield South sophomore Enzo Silva, the second- and eighth-ranked 106-pounders in the state, according to IllinoisMatmen.com. He outlasted Ramos 1-0 to advance to the third-place match.
Kvien (39-13), who pinned his way to a state tournament appearance in the Barrington Sectional, was at it again in Champaign, where he logged two more pins before seeing his run end one victory short of a medal.
“Logan improved with each and every weekend in the final three weeks of the season, and he clearly showed if he continues this upward climb, he’ll be back here doing great things for himself and the program,” Seeger said.
Carmel’s Palm places in 2A again
Carmel sophomore Riley Palm missed nearly eight weeks while recovering from meniscus surgery, but he fought through the knee pain and past three opponents to earn his second consecutive sixth-place finish Saturday in the Class 2A 126-pound bracket.
“I’m proud of the fact that I got such a late start to my season and was able to win another medal,” said Palm (16-7), who took an injury default prior to his fifth-place match. “But you kind of think what might have been if I was healthy all season long.
“I’ve been told my other knee might require surgery also, so I basically was wrestling on a knee-and-a-half these last couple of weeks. … I’ll get myself checked out to see what’s next for me.”
Palm placed sixth at 106 pounds as a freshman.
Freshman Christian Valdez (106, 34-10) had a good showing in his first trip downstate but ran into eventual state champion Justin Cardani of Champaign Centennial in the quarterfinals. Valadez fell one win short of the medal stand in the wrestlebacks.
Junior Anthony Schaer (120, 30-13) lost his only two matches at state.
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Libertyville’s Pucino impresses in state debut
The decorated freshman season of Libertyville’s Danny Pucino came to an end in the 126-pound wrestlebacks Saturday when he was unable to solve eventual fourth-place medal winner Trevor Chumbley of Marmion.
The loss left Pucino (39-6) a win short of the medal stand, but he impressed his opponents along the way.
Pucino opened his run with three matches against seniors, all of which were decided by pin. Pucino won two of the three to set up his match with Chumbley, a sophomore. Pucino rallied to tie the match at 4-4 with eight seconds remaining before overtime, but Chumbley prevailed 9-4 with a takedown in the extra session.
“Danny is a great-looking freshmen who has a non-stop motor, and his speed and quick feet are going to give his opponents a lot of trouble before he’s done wrestling,” said Lyons senior Zach Villarreal, who pinned Pucino in the quarterfinals and finished third.
Libertyville senior Jack Damenti (152 pounds, 38-7) won a match at state before capping his high school career, and senior Alex Mitchell (106, 20-1) saw his chances for a medal derailed by a first-round upset.
Sophomore Michael Gunther (132, 30-10) also lost his only state match.
Lake Zurich seniors exit early
Lake Zurich seniors Kyle Fleming (195, 29-8) and Josh Dyer (220, 29-7) were sent packing from the Class 3A state meet Thursday, two days earlier than they had hoped considering their success this season.
Both lost their opening bouts and did not get a second chance in Champaign.
“There were some great stories to report on, but unfortunately, none of them were about my two boys,” coach Dan Strickler said. “Regardless, I am so proud of both of them, and I will surely miss them in the (wrestling) room.”
Michael Garofola is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press