Wrestling 49: Illinois

As the wrestling season's start is fast approaching, InterMat will be taking fans across the United States of America on a tour of scholastic wrestling. Between now until the middle of November, InterMat will introduce you to the top senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. From Alaska to Florida, and from Maine to California, you will gain exposure to the potential stars of future NCAA Championships.

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The Illinois 2010 class has plenty left to prove before the next level begins. At first glance the 2010 class is not an imposing group, especially considering the classes that preceded them.

Since the Class of 2005, Illinois wrestling seniors have stepped up their game each year and produced some of the top wrestling classes in the country. The Class of 2010 features its own share of All-Americans and state champions that want to make their mark as well.

Led by Lee Munster and Nick Dardanes, the top seniors in Illinois boast six current or former high school All-Americans in the top 10. In addition, the 2010 class returns three state champions and three runner-ups. While the Class of 2010 may not be as deep as past years, there are plenty of talented wrestlers who have unfinished business to take care of before heading off to college.

1. Lee Munster

School: Fox Lake Grant
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 189
Projected College Weight Class: 184

Scouting Report: Munster entered the Illinois high school scene in 2006-07 under a lot of hype and fanfare. The quiet and unassuming Munster has not failed to deliver as is evident by his 120-6 career record. He is a returning state champ and the only multiple-time champ ... also with a title at 119 pounds as a freshman. Munster completed his junior season with a sparkling 47-0 record and the title at 171.

Lee Munster

A solid freestyler, Munster is a two-time Illinois freestyle state champion and three-time All American. The Illinois champion finished second at the Asics Junior Nationals at 171 pounds this summer. Munster has been part of the Illinois State Freestyle Team competing at the junior level since his freshman year and was able to contribute to the state's unprecedented historic run of three consecutive National Dual team titles.

Munster set the all-time Grant High School record for number of pins in a single season his junior year. He was the high school team Co-MVP and was selected as the Outstanding Wrestler in every tournament he competed in 2009.

A seven-time National Judo champion and a six-time International Judo champion as rated by the United Stated Judo Association, Munster has shown future Olympic potential.

Munster is ranked as the No. 8 recruit in the country by InterMat. Academically, he has been recognized as an All-Academic athlete each season. Combine solid academics with rock solid wrestling skills and Munster has college champion potential.

Munster verbally committed to Northwestern University during his junior season and will sign during the November early signing period.

2. Nick Dardanes

School: Oak Park-River Forest
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 140
Projected College Weight Class: 133

Nick Dardanes

Scouting Report: Dardanes and his twin brother, Chris, transferred to Oak Park-River Forest following their sophomore season. Dardanes parlayed that into an individual championship for himself while leading the Huskies to Illinois (AAA) big school team title along with his brother.

The 2009 returning state champion and Asics Junior Nationals finalist, Dardanes is ranked No. 20 nationally by InterMat. A very physical wrestler Dardanes, a two-time All-American, combines strength, speed and technique into a very dominating style of wrestling.

Dardanes is considering Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri.

3. Keith Surber

School: O'Fallon
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 135
Projected College Weight Class: 133

Keith Surber

Scouting Report: Surber, a two-time All American is a hard-working, quick learner, who always looks for a way to get better. A proven winner on the folkstyle national level, the NHSCA National finalist in 2008 is ranked as the No. 98 recruit in the country by InterMat. In addition, he is one of two returning three-time All State wrestlers, the only one in AAA.

Surber, who has 140 career wins, is always looking to wrestle the best competition in tough matches and brackets. His 32 on the ACT indicates that he takes his academics seriously.

Surber is looking at Arizona State, Nebraska, Northwestern, U.S. Naval Academy, and Oklahoma.

4. Nick Proctor

School: Neuqua Valley
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 160
Projected College Weight Class: 165

Nick Proctor

Scouting Report: Proctor, who is ranked as the No. 67 recruit in the country by InterMat, uses an aggressive offensive style, mixing single and double leg attacks. Proctor would prefer a tech fall over a pin.

Proctor is a two-time All-State middleweight who has also garnered All American honors three times, including a runner-up finish in 2009 (160). He was a FILA Cadet finalist in 2009 as well.

A diversified wrestler, Proctor is a B student with a 25 ACT and NCAA Division I skills.

Proctor is considering Michigan State, Old Dominion, Missouri, Nebraska, and Illinois.

5. Chris Dardanes

School: Oak Park-River Forest
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 135
Projected College Weight Class: 133

Scouting Report: Transferring with his brother from Fenwick, Dardanes helped lead the Huskies to their first AAA state title in 2009. Dardanes loves the pressure of the big matches.

Chris Dardanes

A three-time All-State wrestler, Dardanes has done well on the national mat, reaching the FILA Cadet finals in 2008 and becoming an Asics All American in 2009.

He has the heavy hands of a brawler that all coaches seek. His style of wrestling is reminiscent of the 'Iowa Style.' Dardanes is very focused on wrestling and is a tireless worker, constantly improving with a tremendous upside.

Dardanes is considering Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois.

6. Jake Miller

School: Murphysboro
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 145
Projected College Weight Class: 141/149

Scouting Report: Miller won the state title in Class A as a freshman at 103 pounds. The lone Class A (small school) representative in the top 10, Miller is as solid as his big school peers. He is very good on his feet and his single leg attack is virtually unstoppable.

Jake Miller

Along with Surber, Miller returns seeking his fourth All State medal while entering his senior year with a sparkling 118-4 record.

Mill also carries a solid 3.94 grade point average, is ranked 15th in his class, and has a NCAA Division I qualifying ACT score as well.

Miller is looking at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Cornell, and Wyoming.

7. Matt Dwyer

School: Hononegah
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 189
Projected College Weight Class: 184/197

Matt Dwyer

Scouting Report: Dwyer, a two-time All-State wrestler with a sparkling 139-19 record, is currently in transition as he competes for that state title one more time in 2010. A counter wrestler, Dwyer is becoming more of an attack wrestler with some grind and pounding mixed in.

His two older brothers, Stephen and David, are successful collegiate wrestlers. Stephen is a Division I All-American at Nebraska, while David was an NJCAA All-American at Lincoln College who has transferred to McKendree.

Dwyer's drive and determination are what will make him a collegiate wrestler.

Dwyer is deciding between Nebraska and Northern Illinois.

8. Zach Smith

School: Boyland
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 215
Projected College Weight Class: 197

Zach Smith

Scouting Report: Using an aggressive style, Smith (106-12) likes to wrestle on his feet and get as many takedowns as possible. A constant well set up attack has become extremely efficient for Smith en-route to the 2009 state title.

He is seldom out of position and this sound position enables him to neutralize a wide variety of opponents and set his attacks from a variety of situations.

He is considering Illinois State, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois, and North Dakota State for football, but is open to wrestling in college.

9. Sterling Hecox

School: Harlem
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 215
Projected College Weight Class: 197

Sterling Hecox

Scouting Report: Much like Munster, Hecox entered high school with lots of predictions of greatness. His 117-17 record indicates that he is one of the best as does his qualifying for state three times. In 2009, Hecox reached the podium for his first All State accolades.

Hecox uses a Greco-based upper body style. Often his unorthodox but very technical attack poses many problems for the competition.

The 26 ACT and 4.27/4.0 grade point average assure that there will be no classroom issues with Hecox. With plans to be a pharmacist, Hecox has the grades.

Hecox is looking at Northern Illinois, Northwestern, Illinois, Iowa, Princeton, Brown, and Harvard.

10. Colton Rasche

School: Montini Catholic
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 135
Projected College Weight Class: 133

Scouting Report: The state runner-up at 130, Rasche features a lot of offensive takedowns and an attack style of wrestling. Typical of his Montini teammates' all-out style, he would prefer a tech fall to a pin.

Well versed in freestyle as well, Rasche followed up his 2009 FILA Cadet All-American status by becoming an Asics USA All-American in 2009.

Colton Rasche

Rasch, a three-time All-Stater, is a hard worker in the practice room, willing to help anyone while pushing himself to the limit to be a champion.

Rasche is considering the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy having secured the necessary Congressional recommendation.

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