Even though Fenwick’s Adam Aguilar is only a sophomore, he is a captain on the varsity wrestling team.
Apparently, youth was not an issue when the Friars went looking for a team leader who sets a good example of dedication and talent.
“He is a great captain, since he knows all the skills in wrestling,” 152-pound junior Sean McGee said. “Adam is one of the hardest working kids on the team. He always tries to help us improve.”
McGee, who qualified for the Antioch Sectional on Feb. 13, has first-hand knowledge of Aguilar’s skills, because those two usually pair off in practice, even though Aguilar (21-11) wrestles at 132 pounds.
“His skills evens it (weight difference) out. He is really good,” McGee said. “He always pushes me to my limits. He always tries to improve me. I know after every match, and usually a lot of practices, that he will tell me what I can do to improve.”
Aguilar cannot pinpoint just one thing that has helped him this season.
“I have improved my entire wrestling,” he said. “I have been more aggressive this year, (that is) definitely one thing.
“I am proud of my progress I have made a lot from the beginning of the year.”
One reason is Aguilar and Fenwick were tested by a rigorous schedule this year, culminating in the Chicago Catholic League Tournament on Jan. 23 featuring state powerhouses Mount Carmel, Marmion, Montini and Providence. In his bracket, there were 30-match winners Dylan Duncan of Montini and Anthony Cheloni of Marmion, the Nos. 2 and 3 ranked wrestlers by illinoismatman.
Fenwick coach Tony Poro believes that Aguilar is ready to make a splash in the postseason after capturing the Class 2A Elmwood Park Regional championship on Saturday, Feb. 6.
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“The competition he has had in our conference and throughout the season, it has prepared him for the state series,” Poro said. “Seeing that stiffer competition during the regular season, it helps him be prepared for this, so he knows how to wrestle at a higher level during the most important time of the year.”
Aguilar finished second at regionals last year and also qualified for the frosh-soph state championships at 132. The improvements that he has made since his freshman year are also starting to pay off.
“He has improved on his feet; he is moving a lot more than he was last year,” Poro said. “For someone his age, the movement is going to help him a ton in the match. He is ready to wrestle six minutes with anyone he has to get downstate.”
In addition to his success on the mat, Aguilar also plays football and excels in the classroom.
“He might be the smartest kid in the (wrestling) room, too,” Poro said. “He is in honors everything. He is a great kid and comes from a great family.”
Adam Aguilar said his brother, Tony, who wrestled at Fenwick before graduating in 2012, paved the way for his success.
“He has showed me a lot and taught me a lot,” Adam Aguilar said. “I always wanted to be like him, I look up to him as a big brother.
“He made it into sectionals and I hope to follow in his steps and (try to) make it to state.”
Adam Aguilar has surpassed his brother’s success in one area, qualifying for sectionals for the second year in a row. Adam Aguilar earned a bye for the first round of the Antioch Sectional and awaits the winner of the bout between Justin Wilcox, a Harvard junior who’s 30-14, and Angel Tino, a Vernon Hills senior who is 33-13.
Also advancing for Fenwick are freshman Brian Ziech (170), junior Will Flaherty (182), sophomore Harrison Graves (220) and sophomore Liam Mahon (285).
Patrick Kelly is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.