BLOOMINGTON — Marian Catholic’s wrestling program could pass for a top-flight airline. The Spartans arrive ahead of schedule and with minimal baggage issues.
Just ask Josh Jones, a 132-pound state medalist.
“We thought we’d be good,” Jones said. “But we didn’t know we’d be this good.”
The tight-knit Spartans flew higher and farther than most expected, reaching the Class 2A dual team state championship at U.S. Cellular Coliseum before falling to nationally ranked Washington 46-22 in Saturday’s finale.
It was the first trip to state in program history for Marian Catholic, though probably not the last.
The Spartans graduate just three seniors in undefeated state champion Jose Champagne (160), Addison Klausner (170) and Michael Adleke (195). Everyone else is slated to return, including state champs Travis Ford-Melton (106) and Kordell Norfleet (170).
“If we keep getting kids like this that work hard, love the sport, that’s when you’re going to have a good team,” Champagne said. “I never thought this would’ve happened.”
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Coach Dan Jordan said Champagne was the first domino to fall, leading the way for the program’s current success. Three years ago, Marian Catholic was 6-14 in dual meets.
Mount Carmel nearly faced the Spartans in an all-Southland title match, but Washington handed the Caravan a 34-32 defeat in the semifinals. It was the only loss of the season for Mount Carmel, which bounced back to take third with a 40-12 win over Crystal Lake Central.
Matthew Reyes, a heavyweight state finalist for the Caravan, walked off the mat with no regrets.
“We had a terrific season,” Reyes said. “We didn’t finish where we wanted, but we built a bond. We created a family with each other.”
In addition to Reyes, the Caravan were led by seniors Jake Tucker, a Michigan State recruit and the 152-pound champ, and state placers Dru Worker (195) and David Riojas (170).
In Class 3A, Lockport and Providence duked it out for third after falling to nationally ranked programs in the semifinals. Lockport lost to eventual champion Oak Park-River Forest, while the upstart Celtics fell to Marmion.
Lockport defeated Providence 42-25 in the final match of Shayne Oster’s career. Oster, a Northwestern recruit, leaves as a three-time medalist and helped the Porters to their best finish after placing fourth as a team a year ago.
“It was a different feeling this week, especially (Friday) knowing it was my last practice in that room,” Oster said. “I feel pretty content with what I’ve done here. It’s going to be hard saying goodbye, but it’ll be time to join a new family.”
While Oster says goodbye, Providence says hello.
The Celtics vastly exceed expectations with a roster dominated by freshmen and sophomores.
“We’re looking good for the future,” said Providence coach Keith Healy, who led the Celtics to six straight state championships starting in 1997. “We’re having a lot of fun and getting better at the same time.”
One of the best bouts with local flavor happened at 160, as Lockport’s Trevell Timmons bested Providence’s Cole Smith 7-1.
The match happened a week later than expected after Timmons separated his shoulder at the state tournament and forfeited out. He still managed to place sixth, one spot below Smith on the podium.
“This is a little bit of redemption,” Timmons said. “Even when I’m not 100 percent, I can still take it to good kids.”
Logan Malloy is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.