DOMINIC ANGELO RETURNS TO SAINT PATRICK HIGH SCHOOL AS HEAD COACH, PROMISING TO CONTINUE THE NEW ERA OF WRESTLING EXCELLENCE
October 5, 2023
Dominic Angelo ’03 has been announced as the next head coach of the Shamrock Wrestling program at Saint Patrick High School. This will be Angelo’s second stint as the head wrestling coach at SPHS, following his first from 2015-2019. He has been serving as the varsity assistant for the past four seasons on the coaching staff. Angelo brings with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. His return as the head coach signals an exciting new era once again for the Shamrocks.
Some of the best seasons and recruiting classes in program history have directly coincided with Angelo’s arrival at Saint Patrick in 2015. His profound impact is evident in the team’s accomplishments, including five IHSA Regional team championships, 25 IHSA State Qualifiers, and nine IHSA State Place winners. Moreover, The Shamrocks have also achieved their longest streak in program history of consecutive seasons with at least one state qualifier, which currently sits at 9, a testament to Angelo’s ability to cultivate talent and foster success.
When asked about the reason for his success, Angelo stated that it was a perfect storm type situation in 2015, having started a successful kids club, Team 312. The support system surrounding this club has played a major factor in their success. He mentioned the influence of previous Team 312 coaches Tim Duggan ’94 and Tom Kelliher (SPHS Head Coach 2020-23). “312 coaches have been giving us high school ready wrestlers who are making an impact right out of the gates. We’re at the point now where, in the very near future, we’ll not only have multiple individuals competing for state titles but team trophies are on our radar.”
The impact of Team 312 on the high school level cannot be overstated, producing some of the most successful individual wrestling careers in the program’s 59-year history. Only two wrestlers have ever qualified for the state tournament all four years of high school, and Sean Conway ’22 is the only wrestler who placed all four of those years, advancing to the semi-finals every year (3rd, 6th, 2nd, 3rd). Moreover, only two wrestlers have ever qualified for 3 IHSA state tournaments, both 312 wrestlers, Alex Goworowski ’22 and current senior team captain Olin Walker ’24. In total, 312 has produced 15 state qualifiers and 7 state place winners.
With such an impressive record, Angelo is confident that he and his staff have what it takes to keep setting the bar higher every year. “If you look at the numbers of what we’ve done since 2015, there’s no doubting the upward trajectory we’re on,” Angelo said. “Since 2015 we’ve gotten 9 guys on the podium in Champaign. There’s only 19 Shamrocks that ever placed at the state tournament, 9 out of 19 isn’t something to take lightly, and we’re only going to get better.”
Team 312 prepares to inject fresh talent into the Shamrocks’ roster with the arrival of promising freshmen: Jack Koenig, Xavier Miranda, and Gabe Kopecky all of whom were IKWF State Qualifiers in 2023, with Kopecky and Miranda winding up on last year’s state medal stand. “The expectations for these three are high, I have a strong feeling you’re going to hear a lot about each of them the next 4 years,” says Angelo.
Amongst the incoming freshman group is Angelo’s nephew, Dean Angelo III, who will be the 6th Angelo to wear the green and gold. Angelo’s family is excited about Dean joining the Shamrocks, and it is something that motivates him further.
Angelo was the head coach at St. Ignatius Prep before his return to Saint Patrick, where he produced five IHSA state qualifiers and one IHSA Sectional Champion. In 2014 he had two wrestlers win Chicago Catholic League Conference titles, only the 2nd and 3rd in program history and first since 1997, and led their team to the program’s highest placing finish in the CCL conference tournament.
Angelo has had a successful wrestling career himself, having been team captain of the first Regional and Sectional Championship teams and Elite 8 state qualifier while at Saint Patrick’s. He was a state qualifier as a senior and a two-time national qualifier in high school. After graduating in 2003, Angelo received a wrestling scholarship to attend McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois, where he competed for their inaugural team and compiled 84 collegiate wins. He also qualified for the National tournament four consecutive times.
