Top 5 Teams
1. Crown Point: The Bulldogs have another loaded roster after finishing second in the state last season. The lineup is highlighted by two-time state champion and nationally ranked junior Jesse Mendez at 138 pounds. Additional veterans with state meet experience include sophomore Logan Frazier at 120, sophomore Sam Goin at 126, senior Stephen Roberson at 132, sophomore Orlando Cruz at 160 and senior Nick Tattini at 170. Don’t forget about transfer Javen Estrada at 152; the senior was a two-time state qualifier in Illinois.
2. Chesterton: Senior Evan Bates, a Northwestern recruit, is the defending state champion at 220. Newcomer Sergio Lemley, a sophomore at 120, joins the team after winning an Illinois state title at 113 for Mount Carmel in Chicago. Additional state-ranked Trojans include sophomore Aidan Torres (132), junior Gage Demarco (195) and a quartet of seniors: Ethan Kaiser (145), Brock Ellis (152), Cade Johnson (170) and Gavin Layman (182).
3. Hobart: Another deep postseason run by the football team will result in some late arrivals to the lineup. Seniors Tyler Turley (160) and Bobby Babcock (220), along with juniors Trevor Schammert (113) and Jacob Simpson (170), are among the state-ranked wrestlers.
4. Merrillville: The Pirates’ lineup features senior Malik Hall at 132. He’s a two-time state qualifier who placed sixth at 106 as a sophomore but didn’t medal last season. Senior Jason Streck, another two-time state qualifier, returns at 285, providing additional veteran experience in one of the Region’s most tradition-rich wrestling rooms.
5. Portage: Senior Bradley Conrad returns at 138 after breaking through last season and qualifying for the state meet. He’ll improve from daily practice sessions with classmate Jack Coyle, a transfer from Oak Forest who placed sixth at 138 at Illinois’ Class 2A state meet last season. Those two will lead the Indians in what’s typically a very competitive Duneland Athletic Conference.
Top 20 Wrestlers
(in alphabetical order) Bobby Babcock, Hobart, senior, 220; Anthony Bahl, Crown Point, sophomore, 113; Jeffrey Bailey, River Forest, junior, 106; Evan Bates, Chesterton, senior, 220; Johnny Cortez, Lake Central, junior, 106; Orlando Cruz, Crown Point, sophomore, 160; Brock Ellis, Chesterton, senior, 152; Javen Estrada, Crown Point, senior, 152; Logan Frazier, Crown Point, sophomore, 120; Sam Goin, Crown Point, sophomore, 126; Cody Goodwin, Crown Point, sophomore, 145; Gavin Layman, Chesterton, senior, 182; Sergio Lemley, Chesterton, sophomore, 120; Jesse Mendez, Crown Point, junior, 138; Stephen Roberson, Crown Point, senior, 132; Jacob Simpson, Hobart, junior, 170; Jason Streck, Merrillville, senior, 285; Aidan Torres, Chesterton, sophomore, 132; Tyler Turley, Hobart, senior, 160; Stefan Vitello, Valparaiso, junior, 120.
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
