Red Raiders gain FVC wrestling title
HUNTLEY — After securing the 2023-24 Fox Valley Conference wrestling title Jan. 24, the Red Raiders set their sights on their own Class 3A Regional on Feb. 3.
“It puts a little pressure on you to perform, but most kids do better in their own house,” Huntley coach BJ Bertelsman said. “We want to wrestle our best and see where the chips fall.”
The coach mentioned most of the lineup as having good chances to continue at the IHSA Sectional, at Barrington on Feb. 9-10.
One Huntley senior will be seeking a milestone victory at regional. Markos Mihalopoulos, at 285 pounds, has achieved 98 career wins and is 98-39 overall.
He won his weight class at the FVC finale against Hampshire, a 40-24 HHS win. After the team win, Mihalopoulos was the first to clutch the FVC boys wrestling championship trophy. The Red Raiders had downed McHenry two weeks earlier, ending the hopes of the defending FVC champs.
Mihalopoulos won over Whip-Purs rival, Joey Ochoa, 4-2. The victory was Mihalopoulos 95th career win and a 37-21 team lead. He swept his last three matches after Hampshire to total 98 wins.
Mihalopoulos’ triumph followed a win by junior Dylan Cerny which increased the lead from four to seven points.
“I was a little scared when he made that throw,” Mihalopoulos said. “It (the FVC title) feels really good; I’m happy for the team.”
Ochoa had ended Mihalopoulos’ season last year at sectional after Mihalopoulos had won earlier battles.
“He wrestled tough, for sure. He’s been battling Ochoa for three years now. Last year Markos won until the sectional ‘blood round’,” Bertelsman said.
There were several key victories for Huntley against a tough Hampshire squad.
Senior Shane McGuine gained a win at 150 pounds for a 21-6 hosts lead. Also, Alex Napientak at 165 won; Gavin Nitschke was victorious at 132; Vlad Maluhin prevailed at 144; Dylan Cerny gained a win at 215 as did Colin Abordo at 113.
“You see all the work everyone puts in here,” McGuine said. “It will absolutely give us momentum since they’re in the same regional we are.”
A third senior in the lineup, Napientak, recorded a 14-2 major decision win at 165. The Harper College bound student summed up the feelings of the Class of 2024, which also included Jeylon Espinosa and Zack Hornickel.
“I’ll miss the friends and the coaches,” Napientak said.
Bertelsman congratulated the Class of 2024 wrestlers, five boys and four girls, on their careers during Senior Night recognition.
The Red Raiders, after beating Hampshire, concluded the regular season with dual match wins over South Elgin, Antioch and Buffalo Grove.
