Patrick McGavin

Providence freshman Tommy Banas went 4-2 in the 126-pound weight class the Al Dvorak Invitational in Machesney Park on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023.

Providence wrestler Tommy Banas, who also boxes, breaks through as a freshman. ‘It’s just all glory if you win.’

December 18, 2023 at 10:53 p.m.

Like the great Simon and Garfunkel song "The Boxer," Providence freshman Tommy Banas has all the perfect reminders. His breakout season as a wrestler has been facilitated in large measure...

Andrew's James Gallagher, right, looks to pass while being guarded by Oak Forest's Je'Sean Shannon during a nonconference game in Oak Forest on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.

Kaleb Simms, who also plays piano, learns to orchestrate Andrew’s attack. ‘I can do a little of everything.’

December 16, 2023 at 4:57 a.m.

Three years ago, Andrew's Kaleb Simms began teaching himself how to play the piano. If the senior shooting guard instinctively knows what it means to be a performer, he still...

Providence's Seth Cheney (30) powers in for a shot as St. Rita's Justin Buckner (11) defends during a Catholic League crossover game in Chicago on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023.

Seth Cheney took only two days off after football before suiting up in basketball for Providence. ‘It felt great.’

December 13, 2023 at 5:31 a.m.

Junior guard Seth Cheney was too eager to play the waiting game for Providence. After suiting up as a wide receiver in a Class 5A state semifinal playoff game against...

Lincoln-Way Central's Gianna Amadio (15) works her way up the court against Stagg's Abbey Hobart (14) during a SouthWest Suburban Red game in Palos Hills on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023.

Defense first. That’s how Gianna Amadio gets Lincoln-Way Central going against Stagg. Again. ‘I know my role.’

December 12, 2023 at 4:40 a.m.

A slow start on offense means one thing for Lincoln-Way Central's Gianna Amadio. The 5-foot-8 senior guard actually prefers to play defense anyway, so when the shots aren't falling —...

South Elgin sophomore Demetrios Carrera improved his record to 17-1 after going 5-0 in the Beat the Streets Tournament at Hope in Chicago on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023.

It’s Greek to South Elgin’s Demetrios Carrera. Spanish, too. And his effort speaks volumes. ‘Not scared of anyone.’

December 11, 2023 at 5:41 p.m.

South Elgin sophomore Demetrios Carrera is a pretty skilled linguist. His mother Sophia, a native of Athens, taught him Greek. His father, Leo, is from Quito, Ecuador. Demetrios walks the...

Lincoln-Way East junior Alex Lizak improved his record to 17-0 by going 5-0 at the Larry Gassen Tournament at Downers Grove South on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023.

Lincoln-Way East’s Alex Lizak plays the guitar and loves science. But on the wrestling mat? ‘He’s all business.’

December 11, 2023 at 4:54 p.m.

Lincoln-Way East junior Alex Lizak, an innovative freethinker, is not easy to define. Lizak, who spends a ton of time in the winter as an undefeated wrestler, also plays guitar...

Justin Darlage, a Lincoln-Way West graduate, started at left outside defender for Lewis against two-time Division II national champion Franklin Pierce in Matthews, North Carolina, on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023.

After moving to defense, Lincoln-Way West’s Justin Darlage leads Lewis to national semifinals. ‘You figure it out.’

December 11, 2023 at 4:15 p.m.

Lewis senior Justin Darlage is used to making adjustments. Flash back to four years ago, and Darlage was a standout midfielder at Lincoln-Way West. And then, within a matter of...

Lincoln-Way Central senior Gracie Guarino captured the 120-pound championship of the Sandy Gussarson Invitational in Lake Villa on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.

No time to stop, Gracie Guarino keeps going for Lincoln-Way Central. ‘Life doesn’t matter who you go against.’

December 7, 2023 at 5:51 p.m.

Time is of the essence, and it's essential, for Lincoln-Way Central senior Gracie Guarino. Guarino, the only female out of 223 wrestlers Saturday in the McLaughlin Classic at Joliet Central,...

Yorkville Christian senior Ty Edwards, who has a 12-0 record, won the 132-pound championship in the Ted DeRousse Invitational at Lakes on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.

Why did Yorkville Christian’s Ty Edwards take up wrestling? Just ask his doctor. ‘That’s how I got into the sport.’

December 7, 2023 at 3:06 a.m.

The family doctor was the first one to notice something distinctive about Ty Edwards. Early on, that professional observation proved to be remarkably prescient about Edwards, a Gardner-Webb recruit who's...

Mount Carmel's Seth Mendoza faces off against Crown Point's Gavin Jendreas at 106 pounds during a nonconference dual meet in Chicago on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022.

Surprise. The turning point for Marist’s Conor Phelan comes on state’s biggest stage. ‘I wrestle because I love it.’

December 7, 2023 at 2:24 a.m.

As a junior, Marist's Conor Phelan had an epiphany wrestling on the biggest stage. The format of the individual state meet at the University of Illinois' State Farm Center in...

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