Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week: Crystal Lake South’s Shane Moran

Crystal Lake South’s Shane Moran added his name to the Gators’ list of all-time wrestling greats when he captured the Class 2A 182-pound title Feb. 19 and became only the third wrestler in school history to win an individual state championship.

The senior trailed, 3-0, against Grayslake Central’s Matty Jens, but came back for a 5-3 victory, wrapping up McHenry County’s only state title this season at the University of Illinois’ State Farm Center in Champaign.

“It means a lot,” Moran said after the victory. “All of that hard work, blood, sweat and actual tears from my eyeballs in the practice room, it’s all worth it.”

Moran joined Eric Barone in 2015 and Christian Olsen in 2019 as the program’s only three individual state champions, according to records on IHSA.org.

Moran was voted Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week by readers and answered a few questions about winning a state championship, how he gets pumped up before a huge match, his biggest hero and more.

What will you remember most about winning a state championship?

Moran: The thing I’ll remember most is when me and my buddy started jumping up and down and hugging each other like little girls in the tunnel because we both won state titles.

How do you get ready for a big match?

Moran: I’m superstitious. I do my warmup about an hour before the match to get a sweat going, then I hydrate and start getting ready for my match again, usually when the 152s are up. I like to start getting ready mentally at least three matches in advance.

What would you change about wrestling?

Moran: I don’t think I’d change anything about my wrestling experience, but I’d change some of the rules. I’d change the boundary rules to the college boundaries, and I would change the rule that would allow me to have tape around my shoes like how [Crystal Lake South grad Eric Barone] used to. It’s legal in college, but the IHSA has some dumb rule prohibiting it.

What’s the last good movie you saw?

Moran: “Conan the Barbarian.” I’m a huge Arnold Schwarzenegger fan.

What other sports did you play growing up?

Moran: I tried playing baseball and rugby. I also played football through high school.

Who is your biggest hero?

Moran: My biggest hero would probably be James Hetfield. Metallica is my favorite band, and I listen to their music a lot. He’s my biggest hero because he was orphaned at a young age, and despite all of the hardships that he went through, he was still able to overcome obstacles and become successful. It inspires me knowing someone as successful as James didn’t have a perfect childhood, and it helps me get through my tough times to listen to their music and to think about what [Hetfield] had to overcome.

What is something you are not good at but wish you could do well?

Moran: I wish I was better at playing the drums. I find drums are tough to play because you have to use your entire body. Drums are fun to mess around on, but I can never actually play anything on them.

What is your favorite food?

Moran: My favorite food is definitely anything with chicken. Anything from chicken breast, fried chicken, chicken wings, I’m all in. My favorite snack are Oreos. Oreos are my go to. I can eat an entire package in one sitting.

What would be your dream job?

Moran: When I was younger I always wanted to play in the NFL, so I guess that’d be my dream job.

What’s the coolest place you’ve ever visited?

Moran: The coolest place I have been to is the springs in Ponce de Leon, Florida. I thought it was cool because of how clear the water was, but it was freezing cold. They had handmade water slides and a rope swing. It seemed kind of dangerous, but dangerous is more fun.