Wrestling regional preview

• Reprints

Updated: March 2, 2012 8:20AM

Portage Regional

Schedule: 6 p.m., today, Portage vs. Merrillville, Crown Point vs. Lake Central, semifinals; championship to follow

Possible lineups: Portage — 106 Eric Peek, 113 Louis Escobedo, 120 Dylan Logsdon, 126 Julian Torres, 132 Jason Spence, 138 Danny Roach, 145 Zach Thorn, 152 Alex Guerro, 160 Roberto Espinosa, 170 Jake Wright, 182 Exvonte Jones, 195 Tyler Albee, 220 Travis Williams, 285 Chris Brock; Merrillville — 106 Michael Garza, 113 Adam Brodie, 120 Adam Garcia, 126 Mike Martin, 132 Al Padilla, 138 Mike Spudik, 145 Matt Hollins, 152 Zach Sandefur, 160 Bobby Steveson, 170 Darryl Peppers, 182 Eric DeLuna, 195 Kourtney Berry, 220 Michael Nickson, 285 Trevon Williams; Crown Point — 106 Brett Ervin, 113 Darden Schurg, 120 Josh Fuqua, 126 Trevor Burlison, 132 Cameron Halsted, 138 Tyler Burlison, 145 Jason Tsirtsis, 152 Jake Fuqua, 160 Dusty Schurg, 170 Jacob Hazi, 182 Morgan Kral, 195 Matt Langbehn, 220 Tyler Kral, 285 Josh Swope; Lake Central — 106 Brandon Truver, 113 Josh Vandas, 120 Matt Lechowicz, 126 Kyle Ayersman, 132 Jordan Goodwin, 138 Mike Escobedo, 145 Jake Sebahar, 152 Kodie Christenson, 160 Brandon Manchak, 170 Jeff Brassea, 182 Alex Tucker, 195 Isaac Popovich, 220 Gelen Robinson, 285 Robert Ross

Skinny: It’s shaping up to be a rubber match between state powers Crown Point and Merrillville. The Bulldogs beat the Pirates 38-12 in a dual match on Jan. 4, before the Pirates topped the Bulldogs to win the Duneland Conference meet on Jan. 14. With all four teams competing in the regional semifinals from the DAC, Merrillville defeated Portage 35-28 on Dec. 7, and Crown Point beat Lake Central 44-14 on Dec. 15. Crown Point has represented the area at the state meet in each of the last three seasons, having won four straight regional titles, including three straight since the format was changed to eliminate the semistate round so that regional champions advance directly to the state meet. Merrillville made three straight trips to the state meet from 2006 to ’08.

Next: Winner vs. Logansport Regional winner in quarterfinals of state meet, 9 a.m., Feb. 25, Center Grove H.S., Greenwood.

— staff writer Michael Osipoff