The Saint Patrick 2017-18 wrestling season is in full swing and while it’s had its ups and downs, the Shamrocks are optimistic as they enter the second half.
Saint Patrick has competed in three tournaments including the Carmel Catholic Dual Team Tournament in November where they earned a 3rd place overall finish to start the season. With a record of 5-2, the Shamrock’s only losses came to eventual tournament champion, and fellow ESCC opponent, Marian Central.
The Shamrocks went into the annual Rex Lewis Individual Tournament at Buffalo Grove High School in December missing five varsity starters and still finished in 7th place out of 12 teams. Top performers in the tournament were sophomore Charlie Roy (106 lbs) and junior Brad Ritter (113 lbs) who both finished in 2nd place. Senior Ed Barzowski (132 lbs), sophomore Delano Walker (138 lbs) and senior Tom Godsel (152 lbs) earned 3rd place finishes while senior Bob McNaughton (195 lbs) finished in 4th place, sophomore Mike Koenig (126 lbs) placed 5th and freshman Jimmy Clancy (170 lbs) took 6th.
Most recently, Saint Patrick competed in the Berman Holiday Wresting Classic at Palatine High School in late December. Despite still missing four varsity starters, the Shamrocks took 7th place as a team out of 14 with only 10 points separating them from the 4th place finishers. Heavyweight junior Justin Davis (285 lbs) took 1st place securing three pins to capture his first varsity tournament championship. Fellow junior wrestlers Ritter (113 lbs) and returning state qualifier Anthony Greco (120 lbs) lost their respective final bouts finishing in 2nd. Walker (126 lbs) and Godsel (152 lbs) finished strong ultimately taking 5th place in their weight classes.
After two months of competition, varsity boasts a 12-11 dual meet record. “Given a very tough schedule, this year’s wrestlers have done a great job battling some of the tougher teams in Illinois,” says Dominic Angelo, Head Wrestling Coach. Three Shamrock wrestlers are ranked as Honorable Mentions in the latest Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA) Class 2A Individual Rankings: Ritter (17-4), Greco (7-2) and Barzowski (14-5). Other wrestlers making an impact on the varsity level are: Godsel (18-8), Walker (17-9), Davis (15-13) and Roy (15-10).
The Shamrocks will participate in the Hinsdale South Triple Dual this Saturday, January 13 at Hinsdale South High School and in their first conference competition at the ESCC Mega Dual at St. Viator High School on Monday, January 15.
