By pinning all three of his opponents at the Class 3A Leyden Regional on Saturday, Oak Park-River Forest senior Drew Matticks took one step closer to becoming an individual downstate qualifier for the first time in his high school career.
Matticks, who won the 170-pound class at the regional meet, was one of 13 Huskies wrestlers to advance to the Conant Sectional meet Saturday.
“I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in,” Matticks said. “I’ve put the work in.”
As three-time defending Class 3A state team champions, the Huskies are loaded with talent again this year. Returning state champion Jay Renteria (132) and Tony Madrigal (126) are top-ranked by Illinois Matmen, and Jaime Hernandez (138) is ranked second. The Huskies won the team title at Leyden with 11 regional champions.
Matticks is ranked seventh at 170 pounds, with a 25-7 record that reflects OPRF’s challenging schedule. Three losses came in formidable out-of-state tournaments, and two losses came to the top-ranked 170-pound wrestler in the state, Lyons’ Johnny Mologousis.
Individual downstate success for Matticks would mean a little something extra to the coaching staff in Oak Park.
“Every year there are a couple guys who, if they get up on the stand, we know we’ve done our jobs as coaches,” Huskies coach Paul Collins said. “Drew is one of those guys for us this year. He’s the prototypical student-athlete. He’ll go on and be awesome at whatever he decides to do.”
Matticks is an Eagle Scout, waiting to hear if he’ll be accepted to wrestle for the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., next year.
“I went on a backpacking trip in New Mexico, and our guide was from Annapolis,” Matticks said. “He got me interested a little bit, and then (2012 OPRF graduate) Michael Woulfe went there and that struck my interest. I want to go into engineering, and it’s a great engineering school.”
Matticks became a Cub Scout in first grade and credits scouting for helping to put him on his current life’s path.
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‘I’m glad I stuck with it. I learned so much in terms of everyday skills,” Matticks said. “The biggest thing I gained from scouts are my leadership skills. That’s what helped get me interested in going into the Navy. I like leading guys and the routine of everything, so it’s a great fit.”
Matticks and fellow senior Renteria are different types of leaders for the Huskies, according to their coach,
“Drew is more of a quiet kid who busts his (rear end) in the practice room, but this year he’s more vocal,” Collins said. “Jay is always ready to be in someone’s face, and they kind of pull on each other. Jay isn’t overdoing it, and he’s pulling Drew up to be more vocal.”
Military-level discipline suits wrestling, and Matticks had to be extra disciplined last season, when he had to cut weight to 152 pounds in order to crack the varsity lineup.
He finished one win away from downstate qualification at last year’s sectional meet.
“I definitely think about that,” Matticks said. “Coming into the regional, I just wanted to give it my best effort, and I’ll do the same at the sectional. I’m ready.”
Gary Larsen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press