Marmion adds momentum at Wheaton North
Marmion Academy's wrestling program is quickly re-establishing itself as a force this season after losing six contributors to last season's star-studded lineup.
Fresh off a championship run the previous weekend in the Moore-Prettyman Invitational at Barrington, the Cadets swept all three of their duals Saturday at Neibch Gym on the campus of Wheaton North, including the finale against the Falcons, to give coach Donny Reynolds' team some momentum in advance of its trip to the Walsh Ironman Tournament in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, next weekend.
"It's been a good week for us," said Reynolds, who watched his squad defeat quality teams from both Providence Catholic and Rockton Hononegah to open its dual-meet schedule. "One of the big reasons we came here today is it gives us a chance to compete against three great wrestling programs, including Wheaton North, which is on the rise because of the terrific work by its head coach, Travis Cherry.
"To me, after watching them last weekend at the Moore-Prettyman, they have a very good lineup and are the favorites to win the DVC."
Wheaton North defeated Marist (58-14) and St. Rita (57-12), and Marmion also won those matchup easily. That set the stage was set for the marquee dual of the day.
"It's a dual we all were looking forward to," said Wheaton North 145-pounder Duncan Nelson, who was third at Barrington. "But to be honest, this is an individual sport, and at this level and against a team like Marmion all you want to do is go out and do your job, and hope that your teammates do the same."
Duncan did his part, finishing 3-0 for the day. Included was a 6-4 victory over 2015 Marmion state qualifier Jake Polka.
"I was able to win because I fought hard," Nelson said. "It's something I didn't do enough of last year, and it cost me at times. So it was one of the things I knew I had to work on during the off-season."
By the time Nelson would earned win, it was too late for the Falcons in the team picture. They'd fallen behind early, and despite finding some bright spot dropped a 38-20 decision.
"We're making progress each time out," said Marmion's Nate Jimenez, who was 3-0 on the day at 182, up from his customary spot in the lineup at 170. "When you lose as many great wrestlers as we did from last year's team, it means you have to count on several new guys, and I think you're starting to see all of them getting the confidence needed in order to compete at a high level."
Jimenez and Peter Ferraro recorded back-to-back pins to offset a Devin Donovan major decision at 160 to open the proceedings.
With Marmiion enjoying an early 12-4 advantage, the Falcons closed the gap when Bo Niedbala (195) and Bob Walk (220) each put 3 points on the scoreboard with decisions. Niedbala and Walk were both undefeated for the day.
Heavyweight Calvin McDonald used a takedown plus a 2-point near fall during the second period to dispatch Falcons big man Nick Yanan (4-2) to make it 15-10. After a Tyler Podnar major at 113, it was the last time the Falcons were within 5 points.
"We wrestled well in some spots, but there were other times in which we gave away takedowns at the edge, and didn't win matches that were there for us to take," said Cherry. "But we're growing up and starting to wrestle six hard minutes instead of five and a half, so we'll just keep on working in order to get better."
After the Podnar victory, Marmion won three of the next four: Ryan Fleck (120) with a major, Trevor Chumbley (126) with a pin, and Anthony Chelini holding off a resourceful Riley Lomenick 1-0 at 138 pounds.
Wheaton North's Frankie Indelli completed a perfect 3-0 day with a 6-1 decision over Sean McKennon at 132.
Former Illini stars and current coaches Dan Manzilla (St. Rita) and Brendan Heffernan (Marist) find themselves in a bit of a rebuilding year this season after suffering major graduation losses.
Despite that, Marist will still be among the teams to beat in the ESCC along with Notre Dame as it searches for a 25th conference title in 27 years. Marist has won seven straight league titles.
St. Rita has a bigger mountain to climb in the Chicago Catholic League, with the likes of Montini, Providence Catholic, Mt. Carmel and of course Marmion Academy.
What St. Rita does have in its lineup is three-time state champion Austin O'Connor, currently the No. 4 rated 152-pounder in the nation by Intermat Magazine, and who recently committed to North Carolina.
Before Marmion travels to the Ironman, it will be on the road at DeLaSalle this Wednesday. Wheaton North travels to Naperville North on Friday before hitting the Lockport duals next Saturday.