How sweet was it for Marist’s Sam Feldner?
The RedHawks weren’t supposed to win their seventh straight East Suburban Catholic Tournament.
Marist graduated a bunch of Division I talent over the last few years. Marian Catholic fielded its best roster in years. But the RedHawks won anyway.
“It’s definitely the sweetest for me, and not just for the fact that we were an underdog,” said Feldner, the ESCC champion at 195 pounds. “It’s because I’m a senior and I felt the most vested with this team.”
The three-year varsity regular said the RedHawks continue to bond thanks to weekly breakfast gatherings, which help make a grueling sport more fun, especially at practice.
“It makes us excited to work for each other by knowing them that much better,” Feldner said.
Feldner and Co. had plenty to cheer for at the ESCC tourney. Kyle Karpinski (152) and Diata Drayton (220) also earned titles. The RedHawks received all-conference nods in 13 of 14 weight classes.
“It’s a little surprising in some aspects because a lot of our teammates are in their first or second year on varsity,” said Feldner, an Orland Park resident. “It’s cool to see them placing that high.”
Marist topped Notre Dame 209.5-202. Marian Catholic (186) finished third without undefeated Kordell Norfleet, a returning Class 2A state finalist.
Feldner (33-7) knows the ensuing postseason won’t get any easier. Marist travels Saturday to the 3A T.F. South Regional to rekindle its rivalry with Sandburg in a nine-team meet.
“Getting everyone out of regionals is a goal for us,” Feldner said. “I could see it. We’ve got the heart to do it.
“Coach Heff (Brendan Heffernan) talks about it all the time. The studs blow weight, they freeze up, and you can sneak past guys that are higher up.”
Max power: It’s been an up-and-down season for some of Lockport’s top wrestlers, although not for lack of ability.
Returning state champion Shayne Oster, a Northwestern recruit, and state medalists Trevell Timmons and Abdullah Assaf simply haven’t been healthy to lead an otherwise deep lineup.
That’s no longer the case.
“For the first time this season we will be full strength,” Porters coach Josh Oster said.
Lockport plans to bring its full lineup just in time for the 3A Bolingbrook Regional.
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Up for grabs: While Lockport, Sandburg and St. Rita seem like safe bets to advance from their respective regionals on Saturday, the 3A Providence Regional looks the most competitive from top to bottom.
The host Celtics and Lincoln-Way East own the deepest rosters of the bunch. Providence finished fourth in the Catholic League and East took third in the SouthWest Suburban, arguably the state’s top two conference tournaments.
Lincoln-Way Central, with Jake Dudeck (220) and Bryan Ditchman (285), could throw a wrench into the mix.
One weight class to keep tabs on is at 126. East’s Jason Stokes topped Central’s Vinnie Piunti for the SouthWest Suburban title two weeks ago. Providence’s Ben Emery and Bloom’s Raekwon Williams are two more tough outs.
The top three individuals advance to sectionals. Regional champions earn a first-round bye.
10-team melee: In 2A, Mount Carmel and Lincoln-Way West are expected to advance from regionals, so the Southland’s best team race is at Oak Forest.
The Bengals host Marian Catholic, Tinley Park and seven other teams from the area. The Spartans appear the favorite, but Tinley Park and Oak Forest, 1-2 in the South Suburban Tournament, should be right on their heels.
Watch out for the 113-pound bracket, where Oak Forest’s Brandon Muselman could clash with Rich East’s Kevin Radcliff. It’s a rematch Radcliffe’s had his eyes on after falling to Muselman via ultimate tiebreak in a state semifinal wrestleback.
Muselman placed fourth in state. Radcliff finished sixth.
Counting sheep: A sleeper to watch at Oak Forest is Hillcrest’s Marshawn Bunch (5-1).
The heavyweight missed nearly the entire season before returning to take third at the South Suburban Tournament. Bunch lost to Argo’s Audel Ochoa, the eventual conference champ, by one point.
Logan Malloy is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.
TOP 10
Last week’s rank in parentheses
1. Mount Carmel (1)
2. Sandburg (2)
3. Lockport (3)
4. Lincoln-Way West (4)
5. Providence (6)
6. Lincoln-Way East (7)
7. Marist (9)
8. Marian Catholic (5)
9. St. Rita (8)
10. Tinley Park (NR)
Wrestler of the Week: Marian Catholic’s Travis Ford-Melton (34-0) conquered the East Suburban Catholic League’s 113-pound division. The freshman dynamo is considered the top 106-pounder in Class 2A.