The Montini Catholic wrestling team has started the season off looking like a big time force, beating two Chicago Catholic League foes while also winning the 10-team “Neuqua Valley Scuffle” to end the week.

On Nov. 30 the Broncs beat St. Francis-Wheaton 72-3 and Providence Catholic 55-24. Then on Dec. 2 they won the tournament with a score of 227.5. Warren was second at 201 points, third was Oak Park River Forest with 151 points, fourth was Loyola Academy with 141 points and fifth was Elk Grove Village at 117 points.

They had several champions including Josh Vazquez at 126 pounds, Kam Luif at 132 pounds, Jeremy Huf at 138 pounds, and Alex Marre at 175 pounds. Runners up were Allen Woo at 106 pounds, Mikey Malizzio at 113 pounds, Isaac Mayora at 120 pounds, Santino Tenuta at 157 pounds, and Mick Ranquist at Heavyweight. Other wrestlers who placed included AJ Tack 3rd at 165 pounds, Jaxon Lane 5th at 190 pounds, and Lewis Wais Montoya 6th at 150 pounds.  

Coach Mike Bukovsky was very pleased with the early going of this season, but also feel the best has yet to come for the extremely deep Bronc wrestling team.

“Overall we have had a solid start to the season, and are working to get some of the football guys back into shape,” Bukovsky said. “We are still trying to get our full line-up on the mat, and when we do, then we feel that we will be a very good wrestling team. Our numbers this season are way up, which gives us the ability to once again have depth in our wrestling room.”

This week has some major tests for the Broncs, as they take on Chicago Catholic League opponents St. Rita and Marist at a tri-meet at St. Rita High School. Montini Catholic will also be at one of the top high school tournaments in the country, traveling to the Walsh Jesuit Ironman Tournament at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls on Dec. 8 and 9.