Whenever Elmwood Park senior Marco Padilla feels a bit winded during a match or a grueling practice, he thinks of his mother.
Nancy Padilla has undergone a number of surgeries recently for hernias and her hip.
“She’s been through a lot,” Marco Padilla said. “What gets me going during matches is my mom. She tries to come watch me and whenever I’m warming up and I see her, that’s what really pushes me.”
Nancy was in attendance Saturday, Feb. 13, for the Class 2A Antioch Sectional. She witnessed her son capture the 113-pound championship and earn a trip to the state tournament Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 18-20, at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
“She was right there during the semifinals and finals,” Padilla said. “When I won she was so excited. She was screaming her lungs out and it was awesome.”
Padilla (34-0) will be making his third trip to state and hopes to become the program’s first state champion. John Palazzolo (1965), Dave Syers (1988) and Savio Tenuta (1994) all placed third, while Padilla’s former teammate, Ben Vazquez, finished fifth in 2014.
“That’s the goal, to be an undefeated state champion,” Padilla said. “I really wanted to win state this year and going undefeated would just be icing on the cake.
“I feel a lot better this year. Last year I would hope this or that happened and this year I’m focused and know what I have to do. I have a game plan and have to stick to it. In past years I was kind of nervous. I’m excited and I’m ready.”
Padilla did not allow a takedown at the sectional meet. That is just one of the many areas Elmwood Park coach Neil Posmer has seen his star wrestler improve.
“Physically and mentally, he’s in a good spot,” Posmer said. “He’s able to go out and win tough matches and should be able to advance (far). He’s a little more disciplined, has better mat awareness, he knows what calls referees are going to make at certain points in the match and he’s able to keep guys down on the mat and ride them out.”
Padilla, who is ranked No. 4 by Illinoismatmen, will likely need to avenge one of his state losses from a year ago in order to achieve his goal of a championship.
Padilla anticipates meeting up with Oak Forest junior Brandon Musleman (37-5) in the semifinals. Musleman, who placed fourth at state at 106 as a sophomore, last year beat Padilla 2-1.
“I haven’t forgotten about that loss,” Padilla said. “It’s going to be a grind match. I’m excited.”
Rama advances
Padilla will be joined at state by sophomore Olsi Rama (33-6), who placed fourth at 182 pounds.
Rama also thinks of Padilla’s mother when he needs inspiration to carry on.
“(Marco Padilla) told me when he’s feeling gassed, he thinks about everything his mom has gone through,” Rama said. “You realize that just when you think you have nothing left, you have to keep going.”
While Rama tries to emulate Marco Padilla, it took time for their friendship to develop.
“To be honest, I didn’t really like him last year,” Rama said. “Now, I know why he does what he does and he motivates me every day. I look up to him a lot. He told me he qualified for state sophomore year, so that was something I wanted to do. It’s motivating seeing him do what he’s doing.”
Padilla is glad he’ll have a teammate with him in Champaign.
“It’s awesome,” Padilla said. “We push each other in the wrestling room and he’s my practice partner. We do a lot of extra stuff together, like lifting and running. If he sees me eating something bad, he always gets on me.
“He’s determined. He’s not looking to settle, he’s always looking to get better and always looking to persevere.”
Ken Ryan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
