By Bobby Narang
Marmion Academy junior Michael Phillips is seeking a different outcome this Winter.
After an injury forced Phillips to give up his dream to land a spot in the Class 3A State wrestling tournament last year, he plans on achieving his goal this season.
So far, Phillips is on the right track. He had a pair of standout performances to win the 170-pound championship at the Class 3A Marmion Regional Saturday, Feb. 4. Led by strong showing by the upper weight classes, the Cadets cruised to their second straight regional chamioinship by racking up 297 points to advance to the Hinsdale Central Sectional. Batavia (151) and West Aurora (118) finished in second and third, respectively. Oswego (108.5), Oswego East (66), East Aurora (53), Waubonsie Valley (30) and Metea Valley (7) rounded out the field.
Meanwhile, Phillips pinned Oswego East’s Dylan Crawford to win the 170-pound championship.
“This is what I wanted out of today, to get ready for next week and put me in the best position to get downstate,” Phillips said. “It was tough last year because I was hurt. I missed a lot of last year. Going into this year with one more year left, it gave me a lot of motivation to put in a lot of hard work.
“I felt pretty good in my two matches today. I’m happy it has all worked out, just thinking about how I felt last year. It makes today so much better.”
Marmion senior Sean Scheck, who plans on playing football at the University of San Diego, captured the 285-pound championship Saturday by pinning East Aurora’s Arnold Walker.
“I was a State qualifier last year, but it didn’t go my way,” Scheck said. “It motivates me a lot. I’m excited for football season coming up. I’m going to San Diego. You can’t beat the weather there, but I’m excited to get back to the State tournament and to Champaign for the State tournament to see what I can do. I’m looking to go to the top this year, so I plan on giving it my all. I felt great and in shape and was excited to be out there. I’m motivated a lot for State. The key for me to go to State is to make sure my condition is up and I keep working with heavier guys.”
Marmion head coach Anthony Cirrincione said his team is dialed in at the right time of the season.
“We competed hard,” he said. “That’s what we’ve asked from the guys all year. We try not to put any unnecessary pressure or goals on the guys. We just want them to wrestle hard. We wrestled really well up top with some really dominating performances. They continue to lead the charge. We’ve not always been a school where the big guys carry a lot of the load, but we’re becoming one. We had great senior leadership.
“This is the most complete team we’ve had, from top to bottom. There’s no hole in the lineup. Everyone wrestles hard and to the best of their ability. It’s an absolutely fun team to be around. We’re looking forward to sectionals next week.”
Marmion senior Ed Perry defeated Batavia’s Asher Sheldon 7-3 in the 220-pound final.
“I trained hard and felt pretty good and am just trying to get ready for next week,” Perry said. “I’m going for a State title after not placing at state last year. I’m trying to stick to my training and works in the (wrestling) room.”
Marmion junior Jack Lesher took the championship at 182 pounds by pinning East Aurora’s Hiran Lopez in the championship match. Lesher, who placed fourth in State at 182 pounds last year, aims for a return trip to State.
“I got both of my matches done quick, so I’m ready for sectionals,” Lesher said. “I kept my emotions going and trusted my speed and athleticism. I feel more stronger and bigger this year. I’ve matured a lot and grown up. Last year I let my nerves get to me. I got into my own head. I’m ready to go now.”
West Aurora’s Dom Serio (30-2) made quick work of his competitors to cruise to the championship at 145 pounds. Serio recorded a 7-3 decision over Marmion’s Santino Scolaro in the final.
“I trained really hard for this, and that’s taken me higher,” Serio said. “I just tried to keep the pressure. I felt great, but there’s always something to work on.”
Oswego’s Cruz Ibarra (33-5) defeated Marmion’s Joey Favia 3-0 in the finals at 195 pounds.
“I’m feeling confident right now,” Ibarra said. “I just tried to slowly dominate. I told my coaches I’m making State this year and not holding back after falling short my sophomore and junior year.
Batavia’s Ino Garcia won the 113-pound championship.
“I felt pretty good and kind of controlled that (last) match, which was kind of what I was going for,” Garcia said. “I feel I’m going in the right direction. I’m going up. It’s been a little rocky season. I was injured, but I’m back. Sitting out eight weeks was hard. I’m just getting in there now.”