Marian Central Preps

David Silva steps away from Marian Central's wrestling program after making it one of the best in the state. Silva is the Northwest Herald Wrestling Coach of the Year for a fourth consecutive season after the Hurricanes won three individual titles, nine medals and the team title at the IWCOA Boys Open State Championships.

Meet the 2021 Northwest Herald All-Area baseball team.

Marian Central crowned three state champions – Dylan Connell, Elon Rodriguez and Nik Jimenez – and the Hurricanes grabbed nine individual medals to capture the IWCOA Class 2A state championship on Friday in Springfield.

The Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association State Championships has a different name, but should bear a close resemblance to the IHSA Wrestling State Tournament which usually is in February. Marian Central hopes to have a big day Friday in Springfield with 10 state qualifiers and expects a team state title.

Marian Central's Peter Walsdorf came through with a tough double in the 90-plus-degree heat Friday, taking fifth in the 3,200 meters and ninth in the 1,600 at the Class 2A Boys Track and Field State Meet.

Marian Central senior Dominique Thomas had two individual personal bests and two bests with her relays as the Hurricanes won four medals at the Class 2A Girls Track and Field State Meet. Thomas took seconds in the 100 and 200.

Crystal Lake South junior Jackson Schuetzle and Burlington Central junior Luke Welker each earned a berth in the quarterfinals of the Illinois High School Association Boys Tennis State Tournament on Thursday by posting three consecutive straight-set wins in Class 1A.

Marian Central's Dominique Thomas was close to making the finals in the Class 2A Girls Track and Field State Meet as a sophomore, then did not get to run as a junior because of the pandemic. Now, she is set to put a cap on a brilliant sprinting career by bringing home multiple state medals.

Marian Central's Peter Walsdorf won the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races at the Class 2A Richmond-Burton Boys Track and Field Sectional on Wednesday to qualify for state in both long-distance events.

David Silva became Marian Central's wrestling coach five years ago and established the Hurricanes as a Class 2A state powerhouse. Silva and his family are moving to Nashville, Tennessee this summer and his nephew, Fernie Silva, will take over one of the state's best teams.