Area Wrestlers Had Success At The Annual Dvorak

By Al Zipsie

The two champions from the Stateline in the Dvorak wrestling tournament were the big guys, in undefeated seniors, Anthony Cassioppi of Hononegah at 285 lb and Maverick McPeek at 220 from Dakota.

The 30th annual Al Dvorak wrestling Invitational was held at Harlem high school Friday and Saturday. Some of the top individual wrestlers and teams from several states were part of the 35 team field. The top two teams were from Ohio in Cincinnati's LaSalle who easily took the title and Mason who was runner-up. The highest Illinois finish came from Huntley with third place. Hononegah was 19th with 75.5 points and Dakota was 22nd with 67.5  points.

Cassioppo who has signed to wrestle at the University of Iowa has now 78 straight wins. He is unbeaten this year in 24 matches. Won the state title last year at 52-0 and then streak began his sophomore season winning the final two final matches to finish in third place at state. Cassioppo rolled through the division and had a second-period tech fall 20-0 over Guy Snow of Iowa City West in the final.

McPeek, who finished third in the 1A State last year came up big for the small school Dakota with the 220-pound crown. McPeek, is now 20-0 after a thrilling 2-1 tiebreaker victory in the championship over Aric Bohn of Mukwonago, the Wisconsin state champion.

The next highest finish of Stateline teams came from Major Dedmond of Freeport at 170. He lost in the semifinal and then an injury had him settle for fourth.

Anthony's younger brother, Giovanni Cassioppi of Hononegah finished fifth at 138. Chad Richards of the host Harlem had a solid fifth-place finish at 152 with an 8-1 decision over Dakota's Andrew Wenzel. For a freshman, Wenzel had a stellar effort for 6th place as he lost twice to Richards including 9-3 in the second round. Dakota's Cade Slayton (8th) also placed as he had an injury default in the 7th place match.

Matthew Chavers of Freeport finished 7th at 182.