As a senior, Marmion’s Nicholas Garcia held the advantage. He knew all about his surroundings, he had the background of previous experience in Champaign and he also could use his savvy.
Because of that, Garcia never doubted the outcome in overtime against a formidable opponent in Joliet Catholic’s Jason Hampton during the Class 3A 132-pound state championship match.
“I tell myself all the reasons why I’m better than this person and why I should beat them,” Garcia said about his approach at the State Farm Center. “My mentality is where I really have the edge.
“I think it wears people down because I always look calm out there.”
Garcia provided that calm throughout the storm at state, securing a pivotal takedown that paved the path to an 8-5 victory for his third consecutive individual championship.
Personal and team success would come together brilliantly again this season for a dominant Garcia, the 2025-26 Beacon-News/Courier-News Boys Wrestler of the Year.
The Illinois recruit put the finishing touches on a generational career by going 53-2 this winter and leading the Cadets’ repeat as the dual team state champion. He went 129-8 the last three years.
Senior Zach Stewart, state champ at 138 for the Cadets, described Garcia as a force of nature.
“Nicholas is elite not only because of his work ethic but because of his unique style and his will to win any match,” Stewart said. “He wrestles his style no matter who he’s wrestling.”
Always humble and hungry, Garcia maintained his edge. His only losses this season were in OT to elite national wrestlers. And he was the anchor of Marmion’s dual team state lineup.
Garcia met up with Hampton one final time six days after the individual state meet. Garcia beat Hampton 4-2 in the dual team state quarterfinals. Hampton (44-5) took four losses to Garcia.
Air Force commit Joey Favia, a senior 285-pounder and state runner-up at heavyweight, praised Garcia for remaining focused but also having time for his teammates.
“Nick is relentless as a competitor,” Favia said. “I’ve never seen him back down. He has that ability to work as hard as he does in the room but also elevate everyone else around him.
Garcia’s breakthrough was the first of his three state titles, highlighted by a momentous victory over St. Charles East’s Dom Munaretto in the 113-pound state championship match.
Munaretto, a defending state champion and Ohio State recruit, beat Garcia twice during that season. Munaretto finished his career as a three-time state champ with a record of 209-6.
Garcia was the only Illinois wrestler to ever beat Munaretto.
“That was the moment wrestling started to make more sense for me,” Garcia said. “Winning and losing moved to the back of my mind. What mattered most was getting better and trying my best.”
Garcia surpassed the Marmion achievements of his older brother Jameson, now at Harvard, and Trevor Chumbley, a two-time state champion and former Northwestern standout.
Johnny Jimenez won four state championships for the Cadets from 2010-2014.
With a fourth-place state finish at 106 as a freshman, Garcia joins Jimenez as the only wrestler in program history with four state medals.
“The consensus, from coaches that were around both guys, is that Nicholas Garcia is Marmion’s greatest wrestler ever,” Cadets coach Anthony Cirrincione said. “He has accomplished the most.
“He is ranked No. 2 in the nation, beat a two-time freestyle world champion for a state title and two four-time state placers for his other two titles.”
Garcia has been invited to participate in the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic as a member of a U.S. national team matched up against top wrestlers from Pennsylvania.
With nothing left to prove, his legacy is secure.
“I hope people remember me as a good leader and captain,” Garcia said. “I hope my teammates feel like I pushed them to be their best.
“I hope anyone who watched me thought I was entertaining and respected the way I wrestled.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
