Marmion freshman Zach Stewart wrestles with a nervous intensity.
Perspective colors his every action, and no moment is too great to lose his sense of control or wonder. Part of that comes from practice — either past or present.
“Even though I’m a freshman, it’s not really that hard for me,” he said. “Not when I am used to training with or going up against Jameson Garcia, Ben Davino or Seth Mendoza.”
Precocious and gifted, Stewart has already made his name as a gifted young wrestler who radiates confidence.
Wrestling at 120 pounds for the undefeated Cadets (15-0), Stewart is 23-4 and unbeaten against in-state competition.
He has compiled a string of highlight-reel victories, including a decision over Joliet Catholic’s Gylon Sims, the defending Class 2A state champion.
Stewart is ranked second in Class 3A by Illinois Matmen.
“I think the biggest reason for my success is mental toughness,” Stewart said. “Going into the third period, most of the time the other kids are backing off.
“If the match is tied, they’re thinking about trying to take it to overtime. My mentality is just trying to score and not have it go to overtime.”
Jack Lesher, a junior who was fourth in the state last season at 182, has been impressed by Stewart.
“Even though Zach is young, he’s a leader by his work ethic and how he carries himself,” Lesher said. “He has fun with everyone on the team and really fits in well with the culture.
“He is very humble in victory or defeat.”
Stewart, who lives in Elburn, began wrestling around age 5. Beginning in Kaneland’s feeder program, he changed to St. Charles East’s youth program that featured Davino, who is now a two-time defending state champion.
“When I first got to St. Charles there were three rooms — white, blue, and black,” Stewart said. “They put me into the black room to get to work with all the better kids like Davino and another kid who moved to Florida.”
Stewart watched, studied and learned.
“I took a lot of my stuff from Davino or (future Mount Carmel standout) Seth Mendoza,” Stewart said. “Not so much their moves or anything like that.
“They’re great at creating pace, applying the pressure and just wearing people out.”
As a result, Stewart combines quickness, athleticism, toughness and a natural feel for the sport. He stands tall and poised.
“What makes Zach so elite at a young age is he has an uncanny ability to force you to wrestle his match,” Marmion coach Anthony Cirrincione
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said. “He always puts himself in position to score, and his opponent has minimal opportunities to score.”Stewart has talent and daily challenges everywhere he turns.
Marmion is the top-ranked team in Class 3A by Illinois Matmen. The Cadets’ star is Jameson Garcia, a two-time state champion.
Garcia’s younger brother, Nicolas, won youth state championships. He’s ranked No. 3 at 106. Junior Donny Pigoni is a defending state qualifier at 113.
“With our conditioning and going through complete hell in the room, I just thank my coaches and my training partners for putting me through that,” Stewart said.
The youngest of five from a family of siblings who are now adults, Stewart credits the involvement of his parents and their willingness to travel to elite events and tournaments out of season throughout the Midwest.
“I love these big tournaments or the big dual,” Stewart said. “One guy from Marmion gets a pin and then another.
“The crowd sees me do a duck under or one of the moves that I do and they just go crazy, and it’s just something that I like.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.