Shepard's Damari Reed takes on Minooka's Jake Hinders en route to the first of his four victories and the 152-pound championship at the Illini Classic. Photo by Jason Maholy

Shepard's Damari Reed takes on Minooka's Jake Hinders en route to the first of his four victories and the 152-pound championship at the Illini Classic. Photo by Jason Maholy

Marist wrestlers take Illini Classic crown; Shepard’s Damari Reed stays unbeaten

Spread the love

By Steve Millar
Correspondent

When Peter Marinopoulos was a freshman, he served as the Marist wrestling team’s manager when the RedHawks would travel to tournaments.

Two years later, he is finishing tournaments on top of the podium.

Marinopolous, ranked No. 2 in the state in Class 3A at 195 pounds by the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association, stayed undefeated by rolling to the 195-pound title Jan. 16 at the Illini Classic at Lincoln-Way Central. He beat Harvard’s Nathan Rosas, ranked No. 3 in 1A, by an 8-0 major decision in the finals to improve to 26-0.

“This felt really good,” Marinopoulos said. “It’s the first time in a while where I really came out and dominated everyone.

“It’s very surprising to still be undefeated. I’ve had some very tough matches. This is the first time I’ve been undefeated this long in a season. It’s nerve-wracking but I’m just going to go out there and let it fly every match.”

Marinopoulos was one of six champions for Marist. The RedHawks, ranked No. 5 in 3A, rolled to the team championship with 274.5 points, easily ahead of St. Charles East (219.5) and Lincoln-Way East (179.5).

Sandburg (104.5) was sixth in the 20-team field. Shepard (54) took 12th, Riverside-Brookfield (49) was 13th, St. Rita (40.5) finished 14th and Reavis (21) was 17th.

After another impressive performance, Marist’s wrestlers are starting to think big when it comes to the state series.

“I knew we’d be good, but I didn’t know we’d be this good,” Marist senior Tommy Boland said. “We’ve had four freshmen come in and fill the holes in our lineup.

“I think we’re capable of winning the state championship. I think we can win it as a team and have some individual champs and placers.”

Wrestling IlliniClassic AndrewDado Marist scaled e1642487045232

Marist’s Andrew Dado has Lincoln-Way West’s Cameron Knepper in trouble during their 152-pound match at the Illini Classic. Photo by Jason Maholy

Boland (26-4), ranked No. 5, won the 160-pound title with three pins before an 11-6 win over No. 7 Jared Gumila of Plainfield North in the finals.

One of the RedHawks’ freshmen is Ricky Ericksen (22-7), who won the 145-pound championship in dominant fashion with three pins and a technical fall.

He pinned Bloomington’s Jacob Barger in the finals.

“It feels pretty good,” Ericksen said. “I’m trying to get my name out there and get some respect. The year hasn’t been going as well as I planned it to, but I was feeling pretty good coming into this tournament and I showed it out there.”

Senior Ghee Rachal (21-2), ranked No. 2, won the 220-pound title with a 13-5 major decision over Bloomington’s Jack Weltha, who is No. 2 in 2A.

“I’ve just got to win state,” Rachal said. “It’s going to take hard work and fixing mistakes.”

Marist’s lineup has been made even stronger with the recent return of senior Owen Dunlap and junior Jacob Liberatore, who both won championships.

Dunlap (6-1) got a takedown with 20 seconds left in the match to edge Lincoln-Way Central’s Conor Smetana, 2-1, in the final at 138.

“I was just taking a little personal break,” Dunlap said of his absence earlier in the season. “With this team we’ve got, it’s really exciting to go out there and compete with them.”

Liberatore (9-0) beat St. Charles East’s Elijah Chiaro in the 170-pound championship.

“My practice partners are really pushing me,” Liberatore said. “I’ve bounced right back. A couple times there’s been a little struggle, but my teammates have helped me.”

Also placing for Marist were Michael Esteban (3rd, 113), Luke Liberatore (3rd, 182), George Marinopoulos (4th, 106), Will Denny (4th, 120), Matthew Cornfield (4th, 132), Andrew Dado (4th, 152) and Conor Phelan (5th, 182).

It was an exciting day for Marist coach Brendan Heffernan, who wrestled at the University of Illinois. Heffernan’s brother, Jim, and his college coach, Mark Johnson, were in attendance. Jim Heffernan recently retired after 12 seasons as the Illini’s head coach.

“It’s fun,” Brendan Heffernan said. “It’s nice to have Mark Johnson here every year and Jim was here for the first time, so it was great. My nephew (Mike Maloney) was wrestling for us, too. So, there’s a lot of fun stuff.”

Wrestling Illini Zimmer scaled e1642486283885

Sandburg heavyweight Kevin Zimmer returned to the mat last week for the first time since the Class 3A 220-pound state championship match in February 2020. Photo by Jason Maholy

Back on the Mat
Sandburg senior Kevin Zimmer made a grand return to tournament wrestling.

Zimmer, a state runner-up as a sophomore in 2020, on Jan. 13 wrestled his first high school match in nearly two years. The 2020-21 winter wrestling season was canceled and he did not compete in the spring. He tore the ACL in his right leg while playing quarterback for the Eagles’ football team during the spring 2021 season.

Zimmer (5-0) did not show any rust at the Illini Classic, defeating three of his four opponents by fall. He began the tournament by pinning Schaumburg’s Cesar Alvarez in 34 seconds, and ended it by pinning Lincoln-Way West’s Jake Ziemniarski in the heavyweight championship match.

“Definitely after this, I know that I’m back and ready to go,” Zimmer said. “I’m excited. I’m ready to go chase that state championship. That’s what I’ve been working so hard to come back for.”

Sandburg freshman Ryan Hinger (20-4), ranked No. 5, won the title at 113, beating Schaumburg’s Callen Kirchner by technical fall in the finals.

“It’s just hard work and dedication,” Hinger said. “It just comes down to how much you want it and how much time and effort you put into the sport.”

Also placing for Sandburg were Rocco Hayes (2nd, 106), Madden Parker (3rd, 106) and Yazan Arafeh (5th, 220).

Wrestling Illini Herrera scaled e1642486635902

Jesse Herrera of Marist battles Caden Kirchner of Schaumburg during their 126-pound second-round match at the Illini Classic. Photo by Jason Maholy

Medal Wrap
Shepard senior Damari Reed, who won the IWCOA Class 3A state championship at 152 last season and is ranked No. 1 at 152, had to work to stay undefeated.

Reed (22-0) edged No. 5 Jack Marion, of Lincoln-Way East, 6-5 in the finals.

“It was a close match, but I had the match under control the whole time,” Reed said. “I’ll give it to (Marion), though. He was a tougher opponent compared to the other guys I’ve faced. I was glad I got a tough match this season.”

Dominic Chillman placed sixth at 170 for the Astros.

Riverside-Brookfield had two medalists. Brock Hoyd finished fourth at 170 and Mateo Costello placed sixth at 126.

Hoyd (21-4), a senior, had two pins to reach the semifinals before being pinned in two of his final three matches, including the third-place contest against Lincoln-Way East’s Ari Zaeske.

“It was nice to get some good competition,” Hoyd said. “In my semifinal match, I was up 2-0, got too high up top and got stuck. That’s a learning point.

“The wins are nice and it’s just about getting ready for regionals, sectionals and state. I’ve won the past two tournaments we went to and there was definitely more competition here. Seeing some top guys will get me ready.”

Liam Cote (182) and Daeshawn Jackson (heavyweight) had two wins each for Riverside-Brookfield.

St. Rita sophomore Sean Larkin closed out his tournament in exciting fashion, beating Lincoln-Way Central’s Caden Harvey 6-4 in overtime in the fifth-place match at 132.

Larkin (15-6) had a takedown with 15 seconds left in regulation to go up 4-2 but gave up a reversal at the buzzer. He bounced back for the overtime takedown to take the win.

“My coach told me to take the first shot and I’d have a higher chance of winning it,” Larkin said. “I took the first shot and missed it, drove him out of bounds. Then I went back in and took him down.

“I did really good (at the tournament). I could have done a little bit better. But I think my season is going really good and I’m excited to see regionals and sectionals, and hopefully make it down to state.”

St. Rita junior Jon Fulgencio (14-7) pinned Chillman to win the fifth-place match at 170.

The Mustangs’ Nino Protti (120) and Griffin Duffin (126) won two matches each.

Reavis had no medalists, but Zack Koschnitski (106), Vladimir Vasquez (113) and Nick Gomez (138) each picked up a pair of wins.

Wrestling IlliniClassic SeanLarkin StRita scaled e1642486933723

St. Rita’s Sean Larkin works on Providence’s Kyle Lindsey during their 132-pound match at the Illini Classic. Photo by Jason Maholy

Local News

Julia Bianchi heads back on defense shortly after delivering a first-half goal for the Chicago Red Stars on March 23 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Red Stars top Seattle, open season with two wins for first time in franchise history

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Last year’s last-place finish notwithstanding, the Chicago Red Stars have had a pretty rich history of success. The franchise has seven NWSL playoff appearances and has finished runner-up twice (2019, 2021), and prior to 2022 had finished no lower than fourth in the league ‘s regular season standings for…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

College Football | Marian (Indiana) and St. Francis highlight Saint Xavier 2024 home slate

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Saint Xavier has released its 2024 football schedule, which has the Cougars opening the season in Michigan. SXU will travel to the Detroit suburb of Southfield to play Lawrence Tech on Sept. 7 in a Mid-States Football Association crossover. The Cougars’ home opener kicks off at noon on Sept.…

Morton's Nariah Clay was named to the NCJAA Division II all-tournament team as the Panthers finished fifth in the nation. Photo courtesy of Morton College Department of Athletics

Morton College women’s hoops takes fifth in nation

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent For the second year in a row, the Morton College women’s basketball team finished fifth in the country. The Panthers closed out the 2023-24 campaign in Joplin, Missouri, with a 75-67 victory over Iowa Western on March 23 in the consolation championship game at the NJCAA Division II National…

Marist's Jack Meader (left) and Nathen Toth face each other during a block attempt against Downers Grove North in the semifinals of the Marist Invitational on March 23. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Boys Volleyball | Marist tops Lockport for Gold at RedHawks Invite

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent Marist enjoys getting its season going by hosting a tournament that is now in its 20th year. They had a good time again this season, going unbeaten over five matches in two days to win the Marist RedHawks Invitational for the sixth consecutive time. The RedHawks ended the tournament…

Rich Miller

Public wants free lunch, pollster finds

Spread the love

Spread the love. By Rich Miller . As we’ve discussed before, the competition for scarce state dollars is particularly fierce this year in Springfield as various groups elbow each other for money while large surpluses and revenue increases start to dry up. A poll taken by respected national Democratic pollster Normington Petts in late February…

CRRNH_CosmoPhotoMDWArmory_032724

City wants to buy armory at MDW

Spread the love

Spread the love. Has been vacant since 2017 .  By Tim Hadac For decades, it served military purposes, as well as Chicago’s gateway for Presidents stopping off in the city. But the Army National Guard Midway Armory, 5400 W. 63rd St., has been mostly vacant since 2017, when the Illinois Army National Guard ceased operations…

summit police logo

2 charged in Summit junkyard burglary

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Two men have been charged in connection with a break-in last month at the Pick-n-Pull used auto parts store and junkyard in Summit. George Ainalakis, 39, of Carol Stream, was arrested February 26 at the business, while Chad Wickert, 40, of Brookfield, was arrested March 13 by Hodgkins police. Police…

Mary Ellen Fox --Photo by Cosmo Hadac

A successful career serving thousands

Spread the love

Spread the love. By Tim Hadac Editor Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound (708)-496-0265 . Most folks work for years at their jobs, expecting and receiving little fanfare, then retire quietly. Garfield Ridge resident Mary Ellen Fox planned to retire from her 30-year job in the City Clerk’s Office quietly; and she did, earlier this year. But…

Priscilla Steinmetz, of Orland Park's Bridge Teen Center, has fun March 7 at Congressman Sean Casten's desk in Washington. (Bridge Teen Center photo)

Casten secures $11M for district; invites Bridge Teen founder to State of Union

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Congressman Sean Casten is bringing some big bucks home. Casten (D-6th) announced that he helped secure more than $11 million in federal funding for local community projects. Included in that bounty is: $1.28 million to Evergreen Park for water main replacement. $500,000 to La Grange for storm and sanitary sewer…

Forest View Village Clerk Laura McGuffey (left) swears in Maria Guzman as a full-time police officer while Chief Bianel Zarate looks on. (Photos by Carol McGowan)

Forest View swears in new police officers

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The Village of Forest View has a new full-time police officer and a newly promoted corporal on the force. In front of a full-house at their February 27 Board of Trustees meeting, Clerk Laura McGuffey did the honors swearing-in Maria Guzman as a full-time officer, and promoting Officer Jorge Sanchez…

Neighbors

Capitol Briefs: Advocates push for guaranteed income, child care assistance

Capitol Briefs: Advocates push for guaranteed income, child care assistance

By HANNAH MEISEL & DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com The Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear the case of actor Jussie Smollett, who was convicted for staging a hate crime against him in 2019 in a case that drew criticism for Cook County’s top prosecutor. Smollett made what turned out to be…

Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds

Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds

By PETER HANCOCK  Capitol News Illinois  phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com  SPRINGFIELD – Illinois continues to suffer from a shortage of teachers and other education professionals, although recent efforts by the state to ease the strain have made an impact.  That’s according to the latest annual survey of school officials from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools,…

Bills in state Senate would further regulate battery storage and disposal

Bills in state Senate would further regulate battery storage and disposal

COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Two bills that would regulate battery disposal and storage are awaiting action from the full Illinois Senate after unanimous committee approval.   Senate Bill 3481, sponsored by Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, would require facilities that store electric vehicle batteries to register with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency…

Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmate

Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmate

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com The longtime chair and a relatively new member of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board have resigned, Gov. JB Pritzker’s office announced Monday. The governor’s office announced the pair’s resignations within hours of each other nearly two weeks after Crosetti Brand was released from Stateville Correctional Center. Brand is…

Highest-ranking woman in state police history reflects on experience as force looks to diversify

Highest-ranking woman in state police history reflects on experience as force looks to diversify

By ALEX ABBEDUTO   Capitol News Illinois  abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com  The night before Rebecca Hooks started at the Illinois State Police Academy in 2002, she spoke on the phone with her father and her brother – both of whom worked in law enforcement.  Her father encouraged her, telling her she was strong and could get through the…

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

 By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

 By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

 By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

 By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the state’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth…

Capitol Briefs: Insurance reforms advance as Pritzker announces California trip

Capitol Briefs: Insurance reforms advance as Pritzker announces California trip

By PETER HANCOCK, JENNIFER FULLER & ALEX ABBEDUTO Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposal for sweeping reforms in the state’s health insurance industry passed out of a committee Thursday and will soon make its way to the full House for consideration. Pritzker first outlined the proposal in his State of the…