The polls are now closed for the March Athlete of the Month challenge.
Congratulations to Gabe Fitzpatrick on being named our March Athlete of the Month. Gabe will receive a commemorative plaque presented by Country Financial and be featured in this week’s edition of Pioneer Press. Thank you to all of our challengers and voters!
This program is governed by these rules. Voting results are considered preliminary and are not final until winners are announced at the end of the voting period.
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More: Official rules | Athlete of the Month: FAQ | Questions? Concerns?
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Name: Julio Cabrales
Year in school: Senior
School: Maine East
Sport: Wrestling
Position: 126 pounds
Season stats: He finished the season with a 12-2 record.
Best game: In spite of missing most of the season while recovering from a knee injury suffered during the football season, Cabrales came one win away from reaching the state tournament. He also came up one win shy last season. Upon his return, Cabrales won the title at the Central Suburban League meet and showed the other Blue Demons how to compete.
Quote: “The sophomores had been struggling, and we didn’t have any senior leaders,” Maine East coach Emiliano Hernandez said. “When (Julio Cabrales) came back, he was explosive at the conference tournament, and he showed the other kids that you have to have a chip on your shoulder. And since then, they have.”
Name: Gabe Fitzpatrick
Year in school: Junior
School: Notre Dame
Sport: Wrestling
Position: 285 pounds
Season stats: Fitzpatrick finished the season with a 33-7 record.
Best game: Fitzpatrick won his first match at the Class 2A state meet Feb. 15 by earning a 5-1 decision over Hinsdale South junior Alex Diaz. He was the lone Dons wrestler to win a match in the championship round. However, Fitzpatrick lost his next two matches and was eliminated.
Quote: “Gabe and (junior teammate) Carlo (Orlandi) each lost a match in overtime and we’re right there and pretty close to placing with a couple of guys, so maybe a year from now when these guys put in the work, we will be in good shape,” Dons coach Mike Rosengrant said.
Name: Caleigh Pistorius
Year in school: Junior
School: Maine South
Sport: Girls gymnastics
Best game: In addition to helping the Hawks place fifth as a team in their debut at the state meet, Pistorius placed second in the all-around with a score of 37.950 at the state tournament Feb. 16. She also tied for fifth on the uneven bars, placed seventh with three other competitors in the vault and took ninth in the floor exercise Feb. 17
Quote: “At state, I just tried to stay calm and not let anything get to me, whether it was a bad warmup or turn,” Pistorius said.
