Steve Millar’s top 10 boys wrestling teams and 25 boys wrestlers to watch in Southland for 2024-25 season

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Marist tops talent-laden list, but keep an eye on powerhouses Mount Carmel and Joliet Catholic.

Top 10 Teams

1. Marist (18-4)

RedHawks return four state placers to lead a deep, veteran lineup. Senior Will Denny (157 pounds), a North Carolina State recruit, is a defending state champion. Seniors Michael Esteban (126) — a Michigan State recruit — and Ricky Ericksen (175) were runners-up, while senior Donavon Allen (138) took third.

2. Mount Carmel (15-2)

Defending Class 3A champs have the state’s top wrestler in senior Seth Mendoza (132), a Missouri recruit aiming to become a four-time individual state champion. Sophomore Justin Williamson (126) placed sixth last season, while senior Jairo Acuna (150) and junior Liam Kelly (157) are multiple-time state qualifiers.

3. Joliet Catholic (14-5)

Hilltoppers, who have qualified for state as a team the last three seasons, have three returning placers led by junior Jason Hampton (126), who was a runner-up. Junior Luke Hamiti (165) placed fifth and senior Nico Ronchetti (190) was sixth. Watch for brothers Maddux and Vinny Tindal, who moved from Texas, where Maddux finished third.

4. Sandburg (23-2)

Senior Rocco Hayes (106), a Virginia recruit, is looking to improve on back-to-back third-place finishes. Senior Ryan Hinger (138) took fourth last season, while senior Madden Parker (120) and sophomore Brady Ritter (132) were state qualifiers.

5. Lockport (13-7)

Junior Justin Wardlow (150) has been a runner-up in each of his first two years. Seniors Liam Zimmerman (132) and Durango Valles (175) were state qualifiers who look to lead a veteran lineup.

6. Brother Rice (20-6)

Coming off a fourth-place finish in Class 2A, the Crusaders look to make another run. Sophomore Dan Costello (175) finished sixth. Senior Bobby Conway (138), who was a state champ as a sophomore before missing last season with an injury, is hoping for a big comeback.

H. Rick Bamman / Daily Southtown

Brother Rice’s Bobby Conway works over DePaul Prep’s Max Rosen in a 126-pound match during the Catholic League Meet in Aurora on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. (H. Rick Bamman / Daily Southtown)

7. Lincoln-Way East (19-4)

New coach Collin McKillip inherits a strong senior class for Griffins, led by three-time state qualifier Tyson Zvonar (138), an Illinois Wesleyan recruit. Senior Rory Moran (165) and junior Kaidge Richardson (144) are also returning state qualifiers for team that won a regional championship last season.

8. Lincoln-Way West (24-3)

Senior Luke Siwinski (138) finished fifth, while sophomore Shane Stream (126) was a state qualifier. Sophomore Brady Glynn (113), son of coach Brian Glynn, looks poised to take a big leap, while senior Nate Elstner (215) is a leader.

9. Lincoln-Way Central (20-1)

Junior Jalen Byrd (165), son of coach Tyrone Byrd, qualified for state as a freshman but just missed last season. He’s one of several Knights wrestlers looking to take the next step, along with senior Caden Harvey (175) and junior Aiden Hennings (215).

10. Oak Forest (11-11)

Junior Austin Perez (144) is coming off a sixth-place finish in Class 2A, while sophomore Jacob Sebek (113) and senior Jimmy Mair (126) are returning state qualifiers. The Bengals are looking to build off last season’s regional championship.

Lincoln-Way East's Rory Moran defeats Lincoln-Way Central's Tim Key in the 165 pound championship bout during the IHSA Class 3A Rich Township wrestling regional in Richton Park on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown).
Lincoln-Way East’s Rory Moran defeats Lincoln-Way Central’s Tim Key in the 165-pound championship bout at the Class 3A Rich Township Regional in Richton Park on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown).

The 25 Wrestlers to Watch

  • Donavon Allen, Marist, senior, 138.
  • Tommy Banas, Providence, sophomore, 126.
  • Jalen Byrd, Lincoln-Way Central, junior, 165.
  • Bobby Conway, Brother Rice, senior, 138.
  • Dan Costello, Brother Rice, sophomore, 175.
  • Will Denny, Marist, senior, 157.
  • Ricky Ericksen, Marist, senior, 175.
  • Michael Esteban, Marist, senior, 126.
  • Luke Hamiti, Joliet Catholic, junior, 165.
  • Jason Hampton, Joliet Catholic, junior, 126.
  • Rocco Hayes, Sandburg, senior, 106.
  • Ryan Hinger, Sandburg, senior, 138.
  • Jack Hogan, St. Rita, junior, 106.
  • Jeremiah Lawrence, De La Salle, junior, 106.
  • Seth Mendoza, Mount Carmel, senior, 132.
  • Joseph Merritt, T.F. North, senior, 165.
  • Austin Perez, Oak Forest, junior, 144.
  • RJ Robinson, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, 175.
  • Nico Ronchetti, Joliet Catholic, senior, 190.
  • Luke Siwinski, Lincoln-Way West, senior, 138.
  • Mike Taheny, Richards, senior, 190.
  • Justin Wardlow, Lockport, junior, 150.
  • Justin Williamson, Mount Carmel, sophomore, 126.
  • Chance Woods, Evergreen Park, junior, 126.
  • Tyson Zvonar, Lincoln-Way East, senior, 138.

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