As a junior, Marist’s Conor Phelan had an epiphany wrestling on the biggest stage.
The format of the individual state meet at the University of Illinois’ State Farm Center in Champaign opened up a new way of thinking as he heads into his senior year.
“I know this sounds counterintuitive,” Phelan said. “But what I discovered there was I started wrestling much better when I stopped caring about the outcome of the matches.
“I wrestle because I love it or else I wouldn’t do it. I began doing better when I just focused on enjoying the match more than the outcome.”
The outcome was pretty good last season as Phelan (34-16) finished third at 182 pounds in Class 3A.
The turning point was a narrow 7-6 decision over St. Charles East’s Brody Murray in the consolation semifinal. Phelan had lost a previous match against Murray.
“I saw a catch up from behind and beat him, and that just felt so freeing,” Phelan said. “I think it was where I realized that I didn’t actually care about how the match ended.”
Phelan (5-0) has carried that momentum to this season. He destroyed the rest of the bracket at 190 in the McLaughlin Classic at Joliet Central, recording five wins by fall.
Only one of the matches lasted beyond the first period. He also helped the RedHawks defend their team tournament title.
“My style is to try and beat up my guy physically and just wait for him to give me that opening,” he said.
Phelan’s father has been his biggest influence.
“He started a program when I was about 5 and I’d just be crawling on the mats,” Phelan said. “By the time I was 6, he eventually got me to start competing.”
Marist coach Brendan Heffernan said Phelan’s determined attitude informs every aspect of his personality.
“Conor does everything the right way,” Heffernan said. “He trains hard, lives right, studies and leads without looking for praise, recognition or attention.”
The physical rigor of wrestling, coupled with the psychological demands, is the connective thread among competitors and opponents.
“There’s a level of respect for anybody that wrestles,” Phelan said. “Because the bare minimum for the sport is just so much more vast than any other, in my opinion.
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“That’s what I love most about the sport. I just feel free on the mat. There is a lot out there that is accepted, and you can just let loose and be yourself.”
Making a national statement: Mount Carmel had three individual champions in capturing the team title at the Dan Gable Donnybrook in Coralville, Iowa.
Junior Seth Mendoza, a two-time state champion, won at 126. Seniors Eddie Enright (157) and Colin Kelly (175) also took home individual honors.
Mendoza, Enright and Kelly all improved to 8-0.
The Caravan also unveiled a dynamic new talent to watch in freshman Justin Willilamson (7-1), who finished second at 113.
“This is the best team we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Kelly said. “Some of the other teams had holes. This team has no holes.”
Full of promise: Lincoln-Way Central finished in second place behind Marist at the McLaughlin Classic.
Senior Tim Key won by injury default over Marist junior Ricky Ericksen in the 175-pound championship match. Senior Ameer Alamawi (144) and sophomore Jalen Byrd (150) each took second.
Key, who finished 41-13, and Byrd, who went 40-16, are both returning state qualifiers.
Knights coach Tyrone Byrd is excited about his newcomers, including freshman Eric Hoselton, who reached the championship round Saturday at 106 before taking second.
“Most of our key returners seem pretty senior-laden,” Byrd said. “But our freshman crop is very talented and are ready to contribute in a major way.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.