The Saint Patrick Shamrocks began the wrestling season with a fine performance, placing eighth out of 32 teams at the Moore-Prettyman Memorial Tournament in Barrington. Joe Fagiano won the 215-pound weight class, defeating two wrestlers that were ranked among the top ten in the state at 215 lbs. Fagiano went 6-0 on the week.

On the night before Thanksgiving Saint Patrick traveled to Oak Park, where they faced the Huskies of Oak Park-River Forest. The Huskies defeated the Shamrocks 40-24 in a match that was closer than the final score indicated. Fagiano earned six points, pinning his opponent in 54 seconds. Five other Shamrocks earned points by winning their matches by decision: Freshman Jimmy DiNino won his first varsity match by a score of 13-4 at 112 lbs, Joe Romano won 13-4 at 125 lbs, Nick Luburich won 7-5 at 160 lbs, Brian Rategan won 12-3 at 171 lbs, and Marty LaBelle won 5-0 at 189 lbs

Over the weekend the Shamrocks participated in the 32-team Moore-Prettyman Memorial Tournament hosted by Barrington High School. Fagiano lead a group of three Shamrocks that earned medals. Fagiano, who wrestled at 160 lbs last year, caught a strong field at 215 by surprise. Fagiano made short work of his first two opponents, pinning Trevor Newton of Lemont in 3:22 of his opening match and pinning Alfonso Herrera of Waubonsie Valley in his second match. In the semi-finals Fagiano faced Joe Stumpfoll of Wheeling. Stumpfoll came into the year ranked 4th in the state at 215 lbs. Fagiano sent a message when he pinned Stumpfoll at the one-minute mark. In the championship match, Fagiano squared off against state runner-up Joe Trinka of Prairie Ridge, who was came into the match ranked second in the state. Fagiano dominated Trinka, winning the title match handily by a score of 12-6. Fagiano moved up to second in the state at 215 lbs following his performance at Barrington.

Several Shamrocks had good showings at Barrington. Brian Rategan placed 3rd at 171 lbs, winning five matches in the process. Matt Ortega won three matches and placed 8th. Nick Luburich (160 lbs), Jimmy DiNino (112 lbs) and Tony Okal (119 lbs) didn’t medal, but each of them went 2-2 in the tournament.

This weekend the Shamrocks will take on New Trier and Notre Dame in a triangular meet on Thursday then Saturday they will wrestle with Saint Rita and Evergreen Park in a quad hosted by Maine South.