Getting lost in a crowd is not a concept that registers with Sandburg junior Rocco Hayes
More Top Picks Best Reading Lamps For Seniors
.It’s a family thing.
Hayes, you see, has five brothers and four sisters. So, when it comes to making a personal connection and having that sixth sense of being a part of a whole, he gets it instinctively.
“Every time in class, at the beginning of the year, when you’re telling classmates about yourself, they ask what’s unique about you,” Hayes said, pausing for the punch line.
“I tell them I’m one of 10 kids and their jaws just drop.”
Hayes’ name has been just as newsworthy for the Eagles’ wrestling program.
Louie, Rocco’s oldest brother, won the Class 3A state championship at 113 pounds in 2015-16. He finished as the state runner-up at 106 the previous season.
Sammie Hayes then took second at 106 in 2019-20. He ended up sixth at 120 during an injury-marred senior year in 2021-22.
Now, Rocco is flourishing amid great expectations. As a sophomore last season, he went 41-7 and finished third in the state at 106.
“It’s great having two older brothers who created such high standards,” Rocco said. “They’re role models and mentors. Ever since Louie started, I wanted to follow his steps.
“He set the lead for the rest of us.”
Rocco, the heir to Hayes’ dynasty at Sandburg, already has committed to Virginia, where Louie was a three-year starter.
Sammie spent his freshman year at Illinois before transferring to Virginia, where he’s a redshirt freshman.
Louie wrestles with his younger brother at their Orland Park house.
“Rocco is who you want as the current face of your program,” Louie said. “Rocco is a gamer. No matter what he is doing, he competes against the sixth oldest boy, Johnny, like he does against Sammie or me.
“Whether it’s spikeball, pickleball, basketball, football, pool or Fortnite, he’s going until he wins.”
The offseason work with his brothers paid off with a superb summer on the national wrestling circuit.
In August at the prestigious Fargo Tournament, Rocco won the 100-pound junior division.
“I was unseeded,” he said. “I was actually supposed to go at 106 pounds, but I didn’t qualify. I petitioned to go down at 100 pounds, and I got in.
“I ended up dominating the tournament.”
Rocco is toggling between 106 and 113 for Sandburg. He’s off to great start, posting three falls at 113 to capture the championship Saturday at the Conant Invitational.
Junior teammate Madden Parker, who took the Conant title at 126, confirmed the key to Hayes’ success is simple.
More Top Picks Best Pilot Watches For Men
“What makes Rocco elite is his hard work in the room,” Parke said. “Working with him, I see how much he loves the sport. That passion makes him want to get better every day.”
Hayes is deeply influenced by his older brothers. He’s also decisive, quick and fluid enough to create his own personality.
“I’ve always been smaller compared to all of my opponents, so my focus is about never giving up position,” Rocco said. “Having that position helps me get into my offense and score a lot of points.”
Hayes puts the opposition on their heels with balance, footwork, conditioning and speed.
“Getting takedowns is the best way to score points and set the tone for the whole match,” he said. “That is always my goal and my mindset.”
Following the same trajectory of his brothers hasn’t been a burden. Rocco also feels liberated having his college choice settled.
“I’m just going out to have fun,” he said.
His oldest brother, however, has a warning.
“You’re either fortunate enough to be on his team or unlucky enough to be competing against him,” Louie said. “I hope the former.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.