As a junior, Marmion’s Teddy Perry produced a solid, although underwhelming, season. In the aftermath, he realized he could not stay the same for his senior year.
The University of Chicago recruit then set out to do something about it.
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“I have definitely had a change in my mindset compared to last year,” Perry said. “I had to do things differently. I am more confident in my abilities, and I feel like I have more drive.”
That drive was on full display Saturday as Perry defeated Batavia sophomore Asher Sheldon 7-3 in the 220-pound championship match of the Class 3A Marmion Regional in Aurora.
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Perry was one of nine champions for the Cadets, who advance to the Feb. 21 dual team sectionals. Marmion qualified all 14 individuals for Saturday’s Hinsdale Central Sectional.
Perry (34-5) is ranked No. 2 in the state by Illinois Matmen. He has only one loss against in-state competition.
“I have goals of being a state champion,” he said. “I know there’s great competition, but I think I have a solid shot this year.”
A year ago, Perry was solid and workmanlike rather than transcendent, finishing 25-16 at 195. He went just 1-2 in the individual state meet at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
Perry said the lingering sense of disappointment propelled his new attitude.
“I left some things out last year that I didn’t like,” he said. “I wanted to place at the state meet and I didn’t do it.
“I worked very hard in the offseason. I not only worked my conditioning, but the big thing is just planning everything out.”
That extensive preparation includes mapping out a plan for attacking his opponents. He also opted out of playing defensive tackle in football, exclusively concentrating on wrestling.
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Perry was voted a captain by his teammates, who saw his newfound intensity.
Junior 182-pounder Jack Lesher has noticed the difference.
“We don’t call him Teddy anymore — his new name is Cardiac Ed,” Lesher said. “He decided that after he came out a little short of his goals last year that he would make sure that never happened again.
“He has earned the respect of the state, and he is not done yet.”
Brother act: The Garcia and Serio brothers nearly pulled an amazing double-double Saturday at Marmion.
Two-time state champion Jameson Garcia captured the 126-pound title for the Cadets. His younger brother Nicholas, a freshman, won at 106.
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West Aurora brothers Dominic and Dayne Serio came up just short of matching the Garcia brothers.
Dominic, a sophomore, defeated Marmion senior Santino Scolaro 7-3 for the 145-pound title. Serio’s younger brother Zayne, a freshman, lost 6-4 to Marmion senior Tyler Aters at 138.
Getting up to speed: At the Class 2A Burlington Central Regional, Aurora Christian senior Braden Hunter continued his remarkable comeback from a torn meniscus he suffered playing football in the fall.
Ranked No. 3 at 285, Hunter defeated No. 6 Andy Burburija of Crystal Lake South in the semifinals.
Hunter punctuated his effort with the 6-2 comeback victory over No. 5 Lincoln Cooley of Sycamore.
What was supposed to be a six-month recovery lasted slightly more than two months for Hunter, who finished third in the state last season at heavyweight.
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“Conditioning is definitely the hardest thing for me right now,” he said. “I am just kind of out of breath all the time. I just keep moving forward.”
The great escape: Kaneland senior Caden Grabowski watched his 132-pound championship match against Crystal Lake South’s Zyon Schlee go quickly from an apparent easy victory to narrowly avert being pinned.
He recovered from the 8-5 deficit late in the first period in pulling out a 13-12 win at Burlington Central. Grabowski (42-4) helped the Knights to a runner-up finish in the team standings.
“I was pretty upset when I got put on my back like that,” he said. “Getting the takedowns was cool stuff, and I just had to build the momentum back.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
