Illinois high school wrestling has been breaking records at a phenomenal pace in recent years. The freestyle and Greco-Roman programs are locked and loaded on national championship mode. The folkstyle teams are not far behind. The driving force behind these programs are the stellar athletes that the state has been putting out the last few years. The Class of 2012 is no different.
This year's top athlete race was as close as it has ever been in Illinois. Steve Congenie edged out Zane Richards but both have one thing in common -- they are winners. Congenie is a special athlete that processes size, length, and strength. Humbleness and being coachable, combined with a quiet confidence in him make Congenie a special athlete.
Meanwhile on the other end of the state, the man whose name that starts with the last letter of the alphabet, Zane Richards, often is first on the podium. Looking into the future Richards is busy formulating a plan on the mat that just might find him on the top of the Junior World Championships.
Eight of the top ten wrestlers are ranked by InterMat and one of the two that is not ranked is an two-time Junior National freestyle champion. The other is a five-time high school All-American and a multiple-sport star with college scholarship offers in both sports.
In addition it appears that the state's top weight class this year, 195, is well represented with three former state champs all vying for the same AAA state medal.
1. Steve Congenie (Willowbrook)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 195
Projected College Weight Class: 184-197
Analysis: Congenie likes to wrestle on the outside, and is considered a long reach wrestler who will counter the competition's attacks. He reacts to the situations presented by other wrestlers with probably the best lefty fireman move in the state. Considered a funk style wrestler who will use legs, he basically is a 106-pound wrestler wrapped up in a 190-pound body.
Steve Congenie (Photo/Suzanne McLean)A two-time state champion (152, 171), and a three-time state qualifier, Congenie is looking beyond his senior year. Ranked 38th national among all senior recruits by InterMat, Congenie and has already set a goal of winning a future NCAA championship.
The colleges Congenie is considering are Cornell, Northwestern, and Hofstra.
2. Zane Richards (Carbondale)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 132-138
Projected College Weight Class: 125-133
Analysis: Richards is an extremely confident wrestler who wrestles a high pace match as soon as the whistle blows. His goal of getting hands on the other wrestler is to attack hard and wrestle smart has translated into a being a three-time double All-American in freestyle and Greco-Roman. He won two Cadet Greco-Roman titles (2009-10) and the Junior 130-pound freestyle title this year. In addition Richards is a three-time state qualifier, two-time finalist and the defending 125- pound state champion.
Ranked 15th nationally by InterMat, Richards is the highest ranked class AA wrestler to make this list since Illinois went to the three-class system.
His lofty goals for his final high school season are to get better for college and reach the top of the Junior World Team podium. It is his belief that an additional state title will take care of itself if he perfects his moves, improves his stamina and shoots for beyond the state championship.
Richards respectable 26 ACT score make the future psychology, science or engineering major a solid student for his future coach.
The colleges Richards is considering are Illinois, Michigan, Oklahoma State, and Northwestern.
3. Max Schneider (Lane Technical)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 152
Projected College Weight Class: 149
Analysis: Schneider is the most unique wrestler in the Class of 2012 and an athlete that may be on a crash course to the 2016 Olympic, although maybe not as a wrestler. The two-time state finalist and former state champion (2010-140 pounds) began wrestling as a freshman and marched right into the state finals at 135. He just missed winning the title and becoming only the fourth Illinois wrestler to win a title at 135 or above. The following year he fulfilled his potential with the first state title won for the much-maligned Chicago Public League since 2005. A shoulder injury ended last season prematurely.
Once recovered fully Schneider returned to his other sport – judo -- and traveled to Singapore to capture the Youth Olympic championship at 66 kilos (145 pounds). With a World title for 18 and under, Schneider is considered a solid 2016 Olympic hopeful for the USA.
Much of Schneider's judo training has transferred over to the wrestling mat. Initially weight cutting, wearing wrestling shoes and wrestling rules that are the opposite of judo were all barriers to success. However the up close hand fighting and on your feet style of judo led Schneider to InterMat's 24th national ranking and the top of the podium in two sports. Schneider has two legitimate chances to make the USA Olympic Team.
The colleges Schneider is considering are Stanford, Northwestern, Cornell, Cal Poly, Bucknell and North Carolina.
4. Sam Brooks (Oak Park-River Forest)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 195
Projected College Weight Class: 197
Analysis: Brooks is a natural leader who likes the tough close matches. Considered a grinder who uses heavy hands and his massive upper body to wear the competition down.
Sam BrooksBrooks, whose older brother Ben also signed a DI scholarship, to North Carolina, after helping to lead the Huskies to the 2009 state title, believes his hard work approach will bring another trophy to Oak Park-River Forest.
Brooks committed to Iowa on Monday.
5. Gage Harrah (Crystal Lake Central)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 195
Projected College Weight Class: 184
Analysis: An old school style wrestler, Harrah relies on the basic staples of wrestling, singles, doubles, power half Nelson's and cradles. An undefeated state champ in 2011, Harrah doubles as a running back on the football team.
Gage HarrahHarrah, nationally ranked 27th by InterMat, committed early to new Drexel coach Matt Azevedo to relieve the pressure of a senior year filled with expectations. With a goal of finishing with a second undefeated season, Harrah has the talent and size to pull off the rare feat while leading a team that could claim an AA state title.
6. Matt Garelli (Fenwick)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 120
Projected College Weight Class: 125-133
Analysis: Garelli style of getting after the competition and creating action on his feet may make him one of the most exciting small wrestlers in the state if not the country. Determined to win the state title undefeated, Garelli's resume certainly says he is quiet capable.
Matt GarelliAn excellent student Garelli recorded the second highest scores of the Illinois Top 10 with a 29 ACT, 1910 SAT and 4.42 GPA on a 4.00 scale. Determined to be an engineer it was only natural that he would choose Stanford as much for its wrestling as its top-rated engineering program.
7. Eddie Klimara (Providence Catholic)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 126
Projected College Weight Class: 125 - 133
Analysis: Klimara has been a big name on the Illinois wrestling landscape since winning an IKWF state title in the eighth grade and committing to Chicago Catholic League powerhouse Providence. Currently ranked 43rd nationally by InterMat, he lived up to promise his freshman year winning the 103-pound state championship and following it up with back-to-back runner-up finishes. In addition two All-American placings including the 2011 Junior National freestyle title at 125 pounds, certified Klimara as the real deal to college coaches.
An offensive wrestler who is one of the most aggressive grapplers in Illinois, with a career 119-4 record, Klimara's left handed fireman is virtually unstoppable. Now as the leader of a Celtic's team that includes seven seniors, winning a team title and finishing with another individual championship would cap off one of the best careers ever in Illinois history.
The colleges Klimara is considering are Illinois, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma State.
8. Josh Marchok (Schaumburg)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 220
Projected College Weight Class: 285
Analysis: Marchok not only checks in as the largest of the Top 10 Illinois wrestlers, but also has the top ACT with a glowing 34 score.
His self-described non-conventional style often has Marchok looking like a little man trapped in a big man's body. Solid in all styles of wrestling from top, bottom or neutral, he can find many different ways to win a match.
Marchok has a 113-14 career record, including a perfect 38-0 record en route to the Illinois 215-pound title. A three-time state qualifier and two-time All-State wrestler, Marchock has also shinned brightly on the national scene. A five-time high school All-American, he has set several goals of not giving up an offensive point, winning another state title undefeated and keeping his academic standards at a championship level.
The colleges Marchok is considering are Bucknell, Harvard, Princeton, Penn, and Stanford.
9. Dylan Reel (Washington)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 160
Projected College Weight Class: 165-174
Dylan ReelThe two-time state champion (2009-10) and three-time All-State wrestler is one of the most prolific in recent AA history.
A three year running back on the football team, Reel began training hard this year and left the gridiron to improve and get ready for college wrestling.
A leader by example, Reel ranked 96th by InterMat, is a four-time ASICS All-American, including the 2010 160 pound Greco-Roman title.
The colleges Reel is considering are Boise State, Central Michigan and Missouri.
10. Brad Johnson (Lockport)
Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 195-220
Projected College Weight Class: 197
Brad JohnsonOn the football field he plays Middle Linebacker for a solid Porters team and was recruited by several I-AA schools but has opted to remain on the mat at the collegiate level.
A three-time All State wrestler, Johnson captured the 189 pound title with a 42-3 record. In addition he is a five-time FILA/ASICS All-American in freestyle.
The colleges Johnson is considering are Oklahoma, Penn, Michigan, Illinois, Northern Illinois, and Northwestern.
Honorable Mention:
Jack Dechow (Richmond-Burton)
KeVon Powell (Montini)
Kalvin Hill (Minooka)
James Buss (DeLaSalle)
Jared Parvinmehr (Barrington)
David Pearce (Bethalto
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