St. Joseph senior Jerome Tillis will always wonder how good of a wrestler he could have been.
The standout football player had been urged to try the sport for years but didn’t pursue it until this season.
“I was stubborn all these years,” Tillis said. “I just really didn’t want to wrestle.”
The person responsible for Tillis’ coming out for wrestling was St. Joseph wrestling coach Richard Petroski, who was an assistant football coach for the first time last season.
“I wouldn’t be where I’m at without my coach,” Tillis said. “He talked me into it after the football season. I think I was able to pick up the sport because of my competitive drive and athleticism.”
Tillis proved a quick learner in his new endeavor.
He qualified for state in his first year of wrestling when he placed third at 285 pounds at the Plano Sectional on Feb. 13.
“It’s really special,” Tillis said. “Coming out my first year, it was always my goal, but I never really imagined it happening.”
Tillis (22-9) was pinned by Harrisburg junior Chase McDaniel in the first round of the state tournament Thursday, Feb. 18 at State Farm Center in Champaign.
Although Tillis is a one-and-done wrestler for the Chargers, Petroski believes his success is an important step toward rebuilding the program.
“Jerome making it to state just shows how far our program came in one year with only having four wrestlers finish last year to bringing 10 to regionals,” Petroski said. “It shows the hard work and dedication that he has and proves that anyone that puts their mind to something can make the best of it.”
Sophomore Chris Ramirez, who fell one why shy of a state berth and finished 18-9, was thrilled to see his teammate qualify.
“I’m proud of him,” Ramirez said. “He brings a lot of spirit to the team, and he was determined to achieve his goal. He’s such a friendly person with a great personality and always helps other people in his life when they need it.”
As much as Tillis has enjoyed wrestling, his passion still lies with football.
“Wrestling doesn’t compare to football, but I never thought I’d be watching wrestling on TV now,” Tillis said. “I never thought I’d be helping out little kids interested in wrestling. It’s definitely something I really like doing.”
Tillis plans to play football next fall and has narrowed his college choices to St. Norbert and Illinois Wesleyan.
A defensive tackle on the football field, Tillis believes some of his lineman skills transferred to the mat.
“It’s about being tough, working with your hands and moving your feet,” Tillis said. “There are a lot of similarities.”
With his lone season of wrestling in the books, Tillis only wishes he had taken up the sport earlier.
“Even if I just started wrestling last year, I would be much better,” Tillis said. “I would’ve gotten a better seed (at state) and who knows what I could’ve done.”
Ken Ryan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @KenRyan15
