'No regrets' at state for North's Cullen Cummings

CHAMPAIGN — All season long, Cullen Cummings was in the discussion as a potential wrestling state champion.

So when the Downers Grove North senior finished fourth at 138 pounds at last weekend's Class 3A state tournament, the moment was a little bittersweet.

"At the end of the weekend I was kind of disappointed," Cummings said. "I wasn't totally disappointed, but I was kind of let down because I went there to win it."

A semifinal loss to Belleville West's Mech Spraggins, who Cummings had defeated earlier in the season, dashed his title hopes. The defeat happened Friday evening, which meant Cummings had all Friday night to think about the match as he cut weight for Saturday's weigh-in.

"It was kind of weird. Everybody knew that match could have been a state championship match," Cummings said. "I felt I was ready for it, he just wrestled a better match than me."

Following the semifinal loss, Downers Grove North coach Chris McGrath was in Cummings' ear telling him not to dwell on that match but to look forward to Saturday's matches.

"He told me I had to come back and finish strong," Cummings said. "It's my senior season and I had to bounce back."

His fourth-place medal earned this season will sit alongside the second-place medal he took home last winter. As he prepares to continue his career at the next level (he has a visit planned to Ohio University this spring, among other schools), Cummings can look back on a very successful high school career.

"I guess I have no regrets," he said. "I tried to take home a state title. It didn't end up the way I wanted, but I'm kind of happy with how I ended my career."

Cummings' state scores

1st round: W, 10-0 major decision

Quarterfinals: W, 7 -1 decision

Semifinals: L, 8-4 decision

Backdraw semis: W, 6-2 decision

3rd place: L, 3-2 decision