Bonic to wrestle at Calumet College

Morris wrestler Seth Bonic signed his national letter of intent in recent days to continue his wrestling career at Calumet College of St. Joseph.

Crimson Wave coach Leroy Vega, a member of two NCAA National Championship teams at the University of Minnesota, was on hand for the event.  

"Calumet College and Leroy Vega will be a great fit for Seth," Morris coach Jon Lanning said. "He will continue to learn from one of the best lightweights I have had the privilege of wrestling and watching. Seth, despite being injured this season, had a lot of college coaches interested in him from Division I, II, III, and NAIA schools."

Bonic will leave Morris as one of the winningest wrestlers in school history despite missing his senior season. He also was a two-time IHSA State medalist.

"I didn't wrestle my senior year because I hurt my shoulder and I missed it a lot," Bonic said. "I wasn't really thinking about college too much but when I went down to state this year to watch, I really missed the sport a lot."

And how does Bonic think he would have done this year?

"I probably had a chance to be in the finals for sure," he said. "It was upsetting not to have the chance, but stuff happens."

Lanning agrees that Bonic has a world of wrestling talent.

"He is one of the most naturally-talented wrestlers I have ever coached or watched. He never gets nervous and understands his body and the flow of a match something you can't teach," Lanning said. "I am proud that he is going to have the opportunity to continue his wrestling career and help start a winning tradition at the upstart Calumet College."

Lanning also feels that Seth will do well at the next level, too.

"Seth has the potential to be a four time NAIA All-American, maybe even a National Champion before he is done," he said. " Seth has to concentrate on his school work and preparing his body for the next level. If he does those things, there is no telling how far he can go. The most important thing is he leaves with a degree and skills to enter the working world and be a productive citizen."

"They chose me. I wasn't sure if I would wrestle in college, but then I met the coach and went to the college and I liked it there," Bonic said. "They are in the second year of the program there and it gives me the chance to go in and be the first one to win. I'm looking forward to getting back on the wrestling mats."

Seth's father Tony and mother Michelle are happy that their son will continue to wrestle at the next level.

"I'm very proud of Seth. He has worked hard and now he is lucky enough to continue what he loves to do and that's wrestle," Tony Bonic said. "I want him to work as hard in the class room as Coach Vega will have him working in the wrestling room too. He has a great opportunity at Calumet College and I hope he takes full advantage of it."

Bonic thanked his high school coaches Brian McTague and Lanning while also thanking his youth coach Billy Nowak of the Little Celtics.