The Saint Patrick wrestlers finished third in the Illinois High School Association’s Oak Park (Fenwick) Regional on February 3 at Fenwick High School. Saint Patrick finished with 123 team points, good for third behind Oak Park-River Forest (254) and Leyden (170). The Shamrocks had six individuals advance to the IHSA Sectional Championships this weekend.

Three Shamrocks were able to capture individual regional championships. Defending State Champion, Joe Fagiano stormed through the 215 lb bracket, pinning Max Brooks of Oak Park-River Forest in 34 seconds in the championship match. Jon Schiewe rolled through the 135 lb bracket, scoring an 8-2 victory over Adam Schammert of Leyden for the title. Brian Ridley was the third Shamrock to capture a regional championship, and his title match was the most exciting. Ridley pulled out a 7-6 victory over Darius Rutledge of Proviso East.

Two Shamrocks lost in the championship match, settling for second place. Jimmy DiNino dropped a 14-7 decision to Bobby Barnhisel of Fenwick at 130 lbs, and George Vitzileos lost by fall to Peter Kowalczuk of Oak Park-River Forest. Joe Rau advanced to the Sectionals by finishing third at 140 lbs, pinning Lofharo Jefferson of Proviso East at 4:12 in the third-place match.

The Shamrock wrestlers will compete in the I.H.S.A.’s Franklin Park-Northlake (Leyden) Sectional this weekend. There the Shamrocks will take on Oak Park-River Forest, Leyden, Fenwick, and Proviso East for the Regional Championship. Session I begins at 6:00pm on Friday, February 9, Session II starts at 11:00am on Saturday February 10, with the Sectional Championship matches will begin at 3:00pm.