Mundelein senior wrestler Ethan Banda is ready for some good fortune.
Last season, Banda experienced very little. After his first tournament, he was sidelined for six weeks with a vertebral fracture. Then he overcame an illness to reach the Class 3A Barrington Sectional championship match at 144 pounds, only to be diagnosed with bronchitis before the state meet, where he lost both of his matches.
“It was very disappointing for me because it was one thing after another last season,” Banda said. “I did horrible at state. I was probably at 50% or below. I was gagging and throwing up. It was bad.
“I learned to just keep working and put my head down and that something good would come out of it.”
Healthy this season, Banda (33-5) has enjoyed a smooth ride to the 3A Barrington Sectional, where he’ll compete at 157 pounds on Friday. He has surpassed 100 career victories — which include 18 pins, nine technical falls and two major decisions this season — and won his third regional title on Jan. 31.
“I’ve only lost to ranked people, but I know I have the capabilities to beat them,” Banda said. “I’ve improved over the season and been lucky with no injuries.”
Mundelein wrestling coach Craig Stocker said Banda showed fortitude to get to this point.
“Ethan ran into some bad luck last year,” Stocker said. “He’s come back with a great senior season and put himself in a great position to be a state qualifier and possibly get on the podium. He worked his tail off and put in a lot of time in the offseason to getting better.
“It’s definitely not easy being a high school kid who has your season taken away. But he persevered and is mentally and physically motivated. It’s a testament to his work ethic.”
Indeed, Mundelein senior 165-pounder Michael Vincic said Banda did the work to put himself in this position.
“Ethan’s always practicing new techniques, and he even does double practices every week at his club,” Vincic said. “Watching him have his injury last year was tough because I saw all the work that he was putting into wrestling.
“It was the same with him getting sick right before state. That was pretty rough to watch, but I know that he’s going to do great this year. I can’t wait to watch him wrestle.”
Mundelein senior 175-pounder Danny Hernandez, Banda’s training partner, has learned firsthand what makes Banda so successful on the mat.
“Ethan’s ability to flow from move to move and constantly score points is what makes him such a talented wrestler,” Hernandez said. “He’s very persistent with his want to score points and will wrestle any style against any opponent.”
Banda intends to do whatever it takes.
“I feel very prepared, especially against the kids in my bracket, and know I’m capable of beating them,” he said. “I just have to wrestle smart.”
Win or lose, Banda has learned something about himself.
“I didn’t realize how much I could go through and yet still keep pushing and bettering myself,” he said. “I was really down in the dumps, but I came back strong.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
