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Chase no longer a novelty on the mat

By Dave Surico
Tribune staff reporter
Published November 18, 2005

Caitlyn Chase is the first lady of high school wrestling. The only female to qualify for the individual state meet is ready to make some more noise in her senior year. As a captain and starter for perennial state power Glenbard North, that's expected.

Chase has wrestled big in big matches. Last season in North's 26-23 state dual meet championship loss to Sandburg, Chase had 103-pound individual champion Mike McAuliffe in peril before a stoppage in the match due to blood nullified her advantage.

"I took a shot and she caught me in a headlock," said McAuliffe, who won the match 9-6. "She shows tremendous heart out there and never gives up. She's a great competitor."

As a sophomore Chase came through in crunch time in the state dual-meet third-place match. She posted a must-win in the final match to give the Panthers a 30-25 win over Dundee-Crown.

"She's passed the point of looking at her as a novelty," Panthers coach Mark Hahn said. "We look at her as a varsity wrestler. She's . . . definitely one of the tougher wrestlers that we've had."

Chase started wrestling at 10 after a grammar-school flier on the sport piqued her interest.

"I needed a sport that challenged me."

The first season gave her more than she expected. She lost every match except for three forfeit wins when boys refused to wrestle. But Chase was undeterred, and through dogged determination and desire, she grew into the sport that now defines her.

A larger stage awaits the two-time girls national freestyle champion. She'll move to Colorado Springs next year to train with the U.S. national team with the hopes of wrestling in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. Her international experience will help. She won silver in the Canada Cup senior women's division in July and bronzes at the Klippan Cup (Sweden) in March and the U.S. Senior Nationals in April.

First, however, comes her role in Glenbard North's drive to earn its sixth straight dual-meet state trophy and eighth straight DuPage Valley Conference title. And Chase seeks a return to the individual state tournament to better her first-round ouster last year.

"I went out there and didn't compete like I normally do," she said. "This year it won't be a problem at all."

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5 teams to watch

1. Sandburg

The Eagles seek to become the first AA public school to repeat as champs since the inception of the dual meet system in 1984. Defending state champs Brandon Precin and Mike McAuliffe lead a talented crew that includes returning qualifiers Ben Friedl, Matt Cusick, Eric Pretto, and Eric Rettke. Veterans Clinton and Conrad Polz, and freshman John Morrison (103) will make an impact.

2. Montini

If the IHSA's multiplier stays in place, the four-time defending Class A champ will add plenty of interest to their its AA state series appearances. Two-time small school champs Brian Martin and Mikey Benefiel return with state placers Joey Norton, Carson Beebe, Vince Hannon and Garret Goebel. Heavyweight Dave Lembas earned All-American status this summer.

3. St. Rita

Two-time defending state champ Albert White and Fargo Cadet finalist Jerome Ward top seven returning Mustang qualifiers. Adam Canty and Steve Zimmerman figure to play important roles in a starting line-up that could feature five sophomores and freshman 103-pounder DaMonte Riley. Rita, the 2005 third-place finisher, will need to deal with the loss of defending 112-pound champ John Starzyk, a transfer to Providence.

4. Mt. Carmel

State placers Christian Brantley and Derrick Hardy top seven wrestlers with downstate experience for the Caravan. Hardy and Mario Morgan will be counted on for senior leadership on a team expected to start five sophomores and two freshmen. Sophomore qualifier B.J. Futrell has grown into the 103-pound category and will make some noise after finishing second in the Cadet Nationals this summer.

5. Providence

Senior transfer Starzyk adds another headliner to the traditionally tough Celtics. He joins Kyle Hutter, who was fourth at 119 last season and earned All-American honors this summer. State placer Tyler Mancuso and qualifiers Jake Nelson and Martin Murphy will be counted on for points. Veteran Ron Uccardi and newcomers Joe Augle, Brian Reynolds and Jake Ruettiger could become prime-time contributors.

Top returning wrestlers

With 2005 state finish (SF) and 2005 weight (WT)

DNP--did not participate

CLASS AA YR SCHOOL SF WT Joe Barczak Sr. Grant DNP 152 Christian Brantley Jr. Mt. Carmel 4 215 Robert Bruno Sr. Joliet 4 171 Adam Canty Sr. St. Rita DNP 119 Vince Castillo Sr. Lyons Township DNP 135 Adrian Cerrillo Jr. Joliet DNP 215 Caitlyn Chase Sr. Glenbard North DNP 103 Matt Cusick Jr. Sandburg DNP 135 Jack Danilkowicz Sr. Libertyville DNP 275 John Dergo Sr. Morris 1 171 Nate Everhart Sr. Andrew DNP 189 B.J. Futrell So. Mt. Carmel DNP 103 Derrick Hardy Sr. Mt. Carmel DNP 152 Nate Holley Sr. Neuqua Valley 4 160 CLASS AA YR SCHOOL SF WT Kyle Hutter Sr. Providence 4 119 Jordan Johnson Jr. Naperville N. DNP 275 Jimmy Kennedy Sr. Grant 3 119 Jim Kernats Jr. Reavis 2 171 Sean Kinney Sr. Neuqua Valley DNP 130 Josh Kratovil So. Lincoln-Way C. 2 103 Cartice Lloyd Jr. Bremen DNP 119 Tyler Mancuso Sr. Providence DNP 189 Michael McAuliffe Jr. Sandburg 1 103 Mario Morgan Sr. Mt. Carmel DNP 125 Ryan Nallen Sr. Notre Dame DNP 103 Ryan Prater Jr. Plainfield Central DNP 112 Brandon Precin Sr. Sandburg 1 125 Vince Ramos So. Glenbard North DNP 130 Mike Smith Sr. Plainfield Central 4 140 Adam Snow Sr. Schaumburg 4 112 Chris Spangler So. Neuqua Valley DNP 103 CLASS AA YR SCHOOL SF WT John Starzyk Sr. Providence 1 112 Matt Tolbert Jr. Hinsdale Central 4 103 Joe Trinka Sr. Prairie Ridge 2 215 Brenton Valentine Jr. Morris 4 152 Cleo Walker Sr. Fremd DNP 171 Albert White Jr. St. Rita 1 140 Gabe Youel Sr. Crystal Lake C. DNP 160 Steve Zimmerman So. St. Rita DNP 125 CLASS A YR SCHOOL SF WT Mikey Benefiel Jr. Montini 1 140 Vince Hannon Sr. Montini 2 112 Bryan Lenig So. Reed-Custer 4 103 Brian Martin Sr. Montini 1 130 John Odeen Jr. Coal City 2 119 Josh Peters Sr. Wilmington 2 145 Mike Ryan Sr. Bishop McNamara 1 119 Caleb Walk Sr. Stillman Valley 1 125 ----------