Scouting local wrestling sectionals

E.C. Central

When: 9 a.m. Saturday

Advancement: The top four place finishers in each weight class advance to the Feb. 2 Calumet Regional.

Participating schools: E.C. Central, Hammond, Bishop Noll, Clark, Gavit, Morton, Lake Central, Merrillville, Munster, Whiting

Defending champion: Lake Central

Favorite: Merrillville

Darkhorse: Lake Central

Ranked wrestlers: Michael Garza (M), 106; Adam Garcia (M), Matt Lechowicz (LC), 120; Jake Covaciu (M), 132; Damian Gomez (BN), 152; Matt Hollins (M), 160; Bobby Steveson (M), 170; Gelen Robinson (LC), 220; Shawn Streck (M), 285

Fast fact: Merrillville was moved from the Calumet Sectional to E.C. Central.

Calumet

Advancement: The top four place winners in each weight class advance to the Feb. 2 Calumet Regional.

When: 9 a.m. Saturday

Participating schools: Calumet, Lew Wallace, West Side, Griffith, Highland, Hobart, Lake Station, Portage, River Forest

Defending champion: None

Favorite: Portage

Darkhorse: Hobart

Ranked wrestlers: Gaige Torres (P), 113; Julian Torres (P), 132; Danny Roach (P), 152; Mark Maldonado (Hi), 152; Scottie Sopko (Ho), 170; Tony Rodriguez (Ho), Exvonte Jones (P), 182

Fast fact: Portage was moved to the Calumet Sectional from LaPorte, where it won the last four titles.

Crown Point

When: 9 a.m. Saturday

Advancement: The top four place winners in each weight class advance to the Feb. 2 Crown Point Regional.

Participating schools: Andrean, Boone Grove, Crown Point, Hanover Central, Hebron, Kankakee Valley, Lowell, Valparaiso, Wheeler

Defending champion: Crown Point

Favorite: Crown Point

Darkhorse: Lowell

Ranked wrestlers: Riley Akers (CP), 106; Stevan Micic (HC), 113; Drew Hughes (L), 120; Josh Fuqua (CP), Max Buckley (V), 126; Trevor Burlison (CP), 132; Darden Schurg (CP), 138; Mitch Roadruck (L), 145; Dusty Schurg (CP), 152; Kenny Hughes (Lo), Dax Jones (CP), 160; Morgan Kral (CP), 195; Josh Bartoszek (HC), 285

Fast fact: Crown Point has won 10 straight titles.

LaPorte

When: 9 a.m. Saturday

Advancement: The top four place winners in each weight class advance to the Feb. 2 Crown Point Regional.

Participating schools: Chesterton, Glenn, Knox, LaPorte, LaVille, Michigan City, New Prairie, North Judson.

Defending champion: None

Favorite: Glenn

Darkhorse: Chesterton

Ranked wrestlers: Chris Katsafaros (C), 145.

Fast fact: Glenn defeated Chesterton 36-30 in the Knox Super Duals. It has never won a sectional.