Nathan Traxler was the first domino to fall, and when the process was over, five Marmion wrestlers had their sights set on some of the best colleges in the country.
Traxler, who won a state title at 182 last year, committed to wrestle for Stanford next season. Teammate Riley DeMoss was a state champion at 170 and he was next, declaring for Princeton.
Both returning state champions credit the educational climate at Marmion for getting them to the next level.
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“From the start, everyone at Marmion lets you know that academics are more important than sports,” Traxler said. “Marmion’s a great environment for that. My classmates are always pushing each other.”
Next in line for Marmion was Trace Carello, who opted for the Air Force Academy. AJ Jaffe picked Harvard and Mikey Callahan chose Duke to round out an impressive stable of five top-shelf college choices.
Cadets coach Donnie Reynolds isn’t surprised that his seniors will attend such prestigious institutions.
“They did a phenomenal job to put themselves in that position,” Reynolds said. “They’re as consistent in the classroom as they are on the mat. They work hard and carry that over to the rest of their lives.”
Traxler has had his eye on Stanford since eighth grade. DeMoss chose Princeton partly because it felt like home.
“I decided on Princeton because of the community atmosphere there,” DeMoss said. “The biggest thing about Marmion is the community approach they take to everything. Everyone knows everyone by name and if you get out of line they’ll set you right back on the right path. It’s different than anything I’ve ever been a part of, just because it’s such a tight-knit community.”
Marmion’s five seniors posted a combined average ACT score of 28.8 in finding their way to some of the best colleges in the nation, although none of them get bragging rights in the Cadets’ practice room.
“What’s funny is that the smartest guy on the team is AJ Rechenmacher, who got a 36 on his ACT,” Reynolds said.
This year’s Cadets again enter the season with high expectations. They’re ranked 12th in the nation by Intermat and third in Illinois by Illinois Best Weekly. They return three additional state placers: Anthony Cheloni was second at 138, Jaffe (132) and Carello (160) each placed third.
In a switcheroo, Reynolds is in his first year as head coach, with Ryan Cumbee reverting to an assistant’s role. The Cadets also have additions to the coaching staff in former Marmion wrestler Josh Myers and former Glenbard North state champion Joey Gosinski.
The Cadets will take a step back from last year’s brutally formidable schedule toward being healthier for potential post-season dual meets against the likes of Oak Park-River Forest, Sandburg, and Montini.
“Our whole goal since I was a freshman was to get a state title as a team,” Traxler said. “We have so many seniors this year and we were bitten by so many injuries last year. Our schedule is a little less intense this year so hopefully that will help us stay clear of injuries.”
Gary Larsen is a freelance writer for The Beacon-News.
TOP 5 TEAMS
1. Marmion: Cadets return state champions in Riley DeMoss (170) and Nathan Traxler (182), a second-place finisher in Anthony Cheloni (138), and third-placers in AJ Jaffe (132) and Trace Carello (160). Mikey Callahan (145) rounds out the group of returning state qualifiers for a team ranked third in the state by Illinois Best Weekly.
2. Yorkville: Senior Will Ferguson (220) won 36 matches in placing sixth in the state last year. He’ll lead a Foxes team ranked among the state’s top 20. Yorkville also returns a state qualifier and 37-match winner in Bryce Shewan (160), and a sectional qualifier in Joey Nauman (170).
3. Metea Valley: The Mustangs graduated a handful of tough seniors and have some youth in their lower weights, but return veteran sectional qualifiers in Uri Ariza (120) and Dylan Ervin (195), plus a two-time sectional qualifier in Jake Toepfer (138). Other key contributors include Bobby Rouse (132), David Veitch (145), David Rojas (220), and heavyweight Bobby Papiernik.
4. Waubonsie Valley: Senior Max Ihry placed fifth at 195 last year and won 44 matches, including a win against eventual state champion Tim Young of East Aurora. A fellow state qualifier in veteran senior heavyweight Tyler Caldwell returns, and Waubonsie will also rely on the experience of Mason Kroening (170) and Nick Sondag (182).
5. West Aurora: Junior Isaac Jacquez placed fifth in Illinois at 113 last year and moves up to 120 this season, and senior Alex Gonzalez moves up to 160 after placing sixth downstate at 152 pounds. The Blackhawks will also rely on Xavier Bijarro (113), Steven Norman (182), Taylor Zimmerman (220) and Johnny Acevedo (132).
TOP 20 WRESTLERS
Uri Ariza, Metea Valley, senior, 120; Tommy Brown, Plano, senior, 285; Mikey Callahan, Marmion, senior, 145; Tyler Caldwell, Waubonsie Valley, senior, 285; Trace Carello, Marmion, senior, 160; Anthony Cheloni, Marmon, junior, 138; Riley DeMoss, Marmion, senior, 160-170; Dylan Ervin, Metea Valley, senior, 195; Will Ferguson, senior, Yorkville, 220; Alex Gonzalez, West Aurora, senior, 160; Colin Gussman, Kaneland, junior, 170; Max Ihry, Waubonsie Valley, senior, 195; Isaac Jacquez, West Aurora, junior, 120; Mason Kroening, Waubonsie Valley, junior, 182; Jake Polka, Marmion, sophomore, 126; Bryce Shewan, Yorkville, senior, 160; Nathan Traxler, Marmion, senior, 195; Zach Tomac, Plano, senior, 152; Dylan Uzumecki, Batavia, senior, 220; Riley Vanik, Kaneland, junior, 160
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