D.J. Hamiti doesn’t know if or when he will get another chance to represent Joliet Catholic on the wrestling mat.
He wasn’t going to miss out on the opportunity to do it on a national stage.
Hamiti, a senior, wore his Hilltoppers singlet for the 160-pound championship match on Oct. 24 at the prestigious Super 32 Challenge in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, forgoing the specially designed singlet given to the event’s finalists.
The Wisconsin recruit then concluded a dominant tournament by pinning Matthew Singleton, a top-ranked junior from Georgia, in 2 minutes, 36 seconds to win the championship.
“I didn’t know if I was going to be able to represent JCA anymore,” Hamiti said. “They’ve done a lot for me over these years with school, wrestling and everything. I wanted to go out there and represent them.
“Me and Jack Finnegan basically started this program back up from the ground. We’ve improved so much as a program over these last three years. To be able to represent JCA at a level like that, it’s amazing to me.”
It was a special moment for Joliet Catholic coach Ryan Cumbee.
“It’s almost like a statement of pride to be wearing that Super 32 finalist singlet,” Cumbee said. “When I saw him wearing the JCA singlet, I was like, ‘Why are you wearing that?’ He said, ‘That’s my school.’ I got a little emotional about it and he made fun of me.
“He’s changed the trajectory of Illinois wrestling just by making the choice to go to Joliet Catholic. We’ve built this program on his shoulders. Of course, we hope there is a season, but if this was our last ride, there’s no better way to go out.”
The IHSA announced last week wrestling will be moved to the summer season, with a start date of April 19.
Hamiti is already a three-time state champion who’s hoping for a shot at going 4 for 4. Another goal is a No. 1 national ranking. He finished last season ranked No. 6 at 152 pounds by InterMat.
That was on his mind in Myrtle Beach.
“I wanted to make a statement to show that I’m up there with the high-level guys,” he said. “I’m coming to take that No. 1 spot, and I wanted to show that.”
Hamiti certainly made his point, going 7-0 with three pins, three technical falls and a major decision.
Cumbee has been impressed by Hamiti’s work ethic while competition has been mostly shut down by the coronavirus pandemic.
“He’s been getting in two workouts a day, working on his strength,” Cumbee said. “A lot of kids pressed the pause button and are waiting to press play when things open back up. DJ’s stayed on play, sometimes even fast forward.
“His technique is elite, his conditioning is elite. His gap was his strength. Now, he’s gotten so much bigger and stronger. You don’t even recognize him anymore. He’s a monster out there.”
Hamiti plans to continue his hard work as he waits to see what’s next.
“Not knowing what’s going to happen, it’s tough mentally,” he said. “But all you can do is focus on the next thing you want to do — the next workout, the next run.
“Instead of stressing about what’s going to happen down the line, I just try to do the next thing I do at 100% of my abilities.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
