Following a seventh-place finish at the Chicago Catholic League meet, it’s full speed ahead for the Fenwick wrestling team.
The Friars, in their first year under coach Pete Kowalczuk, host a Class 2A regional this weekend.
“The top four teams in the CCL are clearly among the best in the state, so we went in with reasonable expectations and came away with some very good results,” Kowalczuk said after the Friars logged 71 points at the Jan. 20 meet. “A few things we have to work on to prepare for regionals and beyond.”
The Friars earned four medals overall: Jacob Kaminski (195 pounds, 20-2) took second, Matt Zuber (132, 18-14) and Aidan Flaherty (182, 22-9) placed fourth, and Liam Mahon (285, 16-7) finished sixth.
“Zuber is the hardest working guy in our room,” Kowalczuk said. “He’s ten times the wrestler he was since the beginning of the season.
“Aidan has so much more confidence than ever before, and his poise and composure will take him a long way in the postseason.”
Kowalczuk added that Kaminski made a slight error against Montini’s Pete Christensen in the 195-pound final but said that will not be a problem when the IHSA state series begins.
Flaherty, a senior, sometimes trains with the larger Kaminski and Mahon. He said that experience in the wrestling room has elevated his game.
“My teammates, practice partners and staff are amazing, and what Coach brings to the room with all of his experience from being at OPRF … has influenced me tremendously,” Flaherty said.
Kowalczuk said Fenton would be the team to beat at the regional, though the Friars and St. Francis also should be in contention for the team title.
“At this time of the year, we tell the guys it’s not about wins and losses, it’s about learning from your matches and being mentally and physically sharp,” Kowalczuk said.
Chargers starting to click
During the winter, the historically successful basketball programs at St. Joseph take center stage in Westchester. But the Chargers would like to inform the public that they also have a wrestling team that is on the rise.
“We do have a team, and for the first time in my four-plus years we have a full lineup, and one that has some pretty good talent,” coach Tewan Brown said.
Last season, Brown sent four wrestlers to the Class 1A Coal City Sectional, then watched senior Jose Sanchez advance downstate at 285 pounds.
Sanchez graduated after winning 31 matches as a senior. Chris Ramirez, who was a sectional qualifier at 113, did not return for his senior season.
“Chris would have been our guy this year, but his family comes first, and sadly, he had to give up wrestling,” Brown said.
Despite losing two of its best wrestlers, St. Joseph has a quality core led by freshman Javontay Bright (29-4) at 160 pounds.
Seniors Zach Ford (170, 13-5) and Desmond McPhail (132, 13-5) are the mainstays of the team, along with Jordan Tims (145, 7-7).
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“I wrestle to help me stay in shape for football and to keep me busy during the offseason, but it’s great to be a part of a growing program with Coach Brown,” Tims said. “We’re all working hard everyday, and for me, my goal is to make it to sectionals and beyond.”
Michael Garofola is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press