The Saint Patrick wrestling team has now won three consecutive regional championships.
The Shamrocks completed the hat trick on Saturday, Feb. 4, winning their regional at home behind the efforts of the team’s six regional champions. St. Pat’s wrestlers finished in either first or second place at 12 of the 14 weight classes.
The Shamrocks regional champions were: seniors Dan Baker (152 pounds, 33-7 record), Pat Mullane (160, 26-5) and Mike Valicento (145, 17-7); junior Eddie Barzowski (120, 19-11); sophomore Anthony Greco (106, 23-6); and freshman Charlie Roy (113, 5-1).
St. Pat’s second-place finishers were: seniors Luis Rivera (220, 18-11) and Bob Suwalski (285, 3-4); juniors Bob McNaughton (195, 14-14) and Rex Rios (182, 7-18); sophomore Lucas Kamberis (138, 11-12); and freshman Del Walker (132, 12-10).
The Shamrocks finished with a team score of 228, topping second-place Fenwick, which had 194 team points. St. Ignatius finished third with a team score of 83.
The 12 Shamrocks who finished in the top two at the regional will now advance to the Wauconda Individual Sectional, which will be held on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11. Wrestlers who finish in the top four at the sectional advance to the state tournament.
By winning the regional as a team, St. Pat’s has also advanced to the Crystal Lake Central Dual Team Sectional on Saturday, Feb. 21. The Shamrocks will face Wauconda at the sectional, and would advance to the Team State Tournament with a victory.
