High school wrestling: Marian Central aims for state title at IWCOA Championships

The way Marian Central senior wrestler Scott Burke sees it, this year’s state wrestling championships really have not changed all that much.

The IHSA Wrestling State Tournament was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on the winter sports season. In its place, the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association State Championships will take place Thursday through Saturday at the Bank of Springfield Center.

“I think it’s still the same,” said Burke, who will wrestle in the Class 2A 152-pound division on Friday. “Since the beginning, I’ve always said it’s going to be the same thing. It’s the exact thing with a different title.”

Marian, No. 1 all season in the IWCOA Class 2A rankings, will take 10 wrestlers to Springfield on Friday, led by three-time state champion Dylan Connell. And Burke’s point is valid, the hard-core wrestlers in most classes will still be there whether it’s the IHSA or the IWCOA version.

“We have to deal with what we have,” Connell said. “Go out and win state and be the best team in Illinois.”

The IWCOA championships will recognize team as well as individual champions. The team scoring will be similar to the regional format that determines dual team sectional qualifiers. The IHSA decides its team state champions in the dual team state tournament.

Class 1A competition is Thursday, Class 2A on Friday and Class 3A goes Saturday. Third- and fifth-place matches are set for 4 p.m., with championship matches at 5 p.m.

Marian has seven of its 10 wrestlers ranked in the top four of their respective weight classes: Josh Glover (106, second), Nick Davidson (120, fourth), Elon Rodriguez (126, first), Nik Jimenez (132, first), Chris Moore (138, second), Burke (152, fourth) and Connell (182, first).

“I would love to get nine of the 10 guys on the podium (top six),” Hurricanes coach David Silva said. “Out of those nine, I think we could get six or seven into the [championship] finals. I always shoot high, but they know that. They know my expectations are high, and that kind of drives them to push.”

Silva will move with his wife and three daughters to Nashville, Tennessee next week. He postponed the move so he could finish his fifth season at the school he has turned into a state wrestling powerhouse.

[ Related: Marian Central's David Silva stepping down, will leave Hurricanes as state power ]

Fernie Silva, David’s nephew, is set to take over the program. Marian likely would have been a favorite in the Class 2A Dual Team State Tournament and will be favored to win under the IWCOA format.

“I hope we get that team state title. And, for me, another state title,” said Moore, a transfer from Aurora Christian who won a Class 1A state championship at 113. “It’s another tournament. We go out and practice and get ready for the next level.”

Although Connell will miss the opportunity to join the elite IHSA four-time state champion club, he is excited about what the Hurricanes have.

“It means a lot because we’ve been working so hard the last four years when David came and turned our program around,” said Connell, who will wrestle at Illinois. “David always tells us we have to dominate. We have to come together as a team and show the work we’ve put in and show our dominance on the mat. We have to push through and come out on top.”

Burke won a tough match at Marian’s Super Regional and expects more of the same competition Friday.

“I just want to do the best I can and make it to the finals,” he said. “I think I have a pretty good shot. Most of my teammates going down can make it to the finals as well.”

Class 1A State Qualifiers

Harvard: Bryce Fiegel (132), Ivan Rosas (138), Nathan Rosas (195).

Class 2A State Qualifiers

Crystal Lake Central: Dillon Carlson (145), Ben Butler (160), Caden Ernd (170), Julian Ryerson (195), Leo Diaz (285).

Crystal Lake South: Amador Castro (120), Shane Moran (170), KT Sivertsen (182).

Hampshire: Matt Muller (106), Niko Skoulikaris (138), Nathan Larson (160), Dylan Mejdrich (182).

Marian Central: Josh Glover (106), Charlie Fitzgerald (113), Nick Davidson (120), Elon Rodriguez (126), Nik Jimenez (132), Chris Moore (138), Max Astacio (145), Scott Burke (152), Dylan Connell (182), Joe Miller (220).

Prairie Ridge: Jack Stone (138), Tyler Evans (113).

Class 3A State Qualifiers

Cary-Grove: Joe Swanson (220), Rannin Gruen (113).

Huntley: Jake Jensen (126), Jeremy Jakowitsch (138), Ryder Hunkins (195).

Jacobs: Dominic Ducato (106), James Wright (120), Tanner Ward (138), Joel Ridle (145) Joe Scrivani (160), Ryan Golnick (220).

McHenry: Brody Hallin (152).