Patrick Ryan’s freshman season ended with a 4-2 loss in overtime in the consolation semifinals at the 2015 Class 3A Barrington Sectional.
In other words, he came up one win short of qualifying for the state tournament at 113 pounds.
Ryan, now a sophomore, worked hard in the offseason in an attempt to prevent that from happening again.
“My conditioning last year was not where it needed to be,” he said. “I was getting tired at the end of matches. My motor is go, go, go.”
Ryan went 3-0 at 132 pounds to capture the Class 3A Glenbrook South Regional championship on Saturday, Feb. 6. It was his second regional title in two seasons.
Ryan opened the tournament by pinning Buffalo Grove’s Dylan Horvath at the 58-second mark of the first period. He didn’t slow down after that, beating Loyola’s Sean Cloherty 16-5 before topping Fremd’s Grant Barwacz 13-2 in the final. Both victories were major decisions.
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“I am happy, but I don’t think my energy level was as high as it could have been in the last two matches,” Ryan said. “Even if I was tired, I couldn’t show it. My offense was good, and I kept attacking.”
Ryan put himself in this position by wrestling the entire offseason, both at New Trier and at Northwestern, where he attended workouts twice a week. He also said he ran at least five days a week to strengthen his cardiovascular system to better prepare himself for longer matches late in the season.
“It was all about being disciplined,” Ryan said. “It was good to be in the room with the guys. But the conditioning is up to each individual. There’s not a coach who can force someone into good shape. It’s about the will of the athlete.”
New Trier coach Marc Tadelman said he’s noticed a difference in Ryan’s makeup this season. Not only is his technique more refined, he seems more determined, according to Tadelman.
“He’s stronger, faster and more mature,” Tadelman said. “He’s dangerous in all positions, but he has good mat awareness, too. I think that loss in the sectional last year pushed him. He’s having a solid season.”
Ryan said he’s ready for the challenge that awaits him at the Barrington Sectional, which is Friday, Feb. 12, and Saturday, Feb. 13. DeKalb’s Ulisies Jacobo, McHenry senior Derek Neises and Deerfield sophomore Kenny Kerstein are the other regional champions at the tournament.
The top four wrestlers in each weight class advance to the state tournament, which is at the State Farm Center in Champaign from Thursday, Feb. 18, to Saturday, Feb. 20.
“If I wrestle my best, I am confident I can qualify,” Ryan said. “I want to go down there and medal. I can’t ever be satisfied.”
Matt Harness co-hosts a golf podcast called Teeing Off. Find it on Twitter (@Teeing__Off) or at www.facebook.com/teeingoffpodcast and on iTunes.
Twitter: @harnesspreps