Nicholas is the next Garcia to star for Marmion. And he has brother Jameson to thank. ‘I always try to one-up him.’

Freshman Nicholas Garcia is no longer the kid brother for Marmion.

That’s because Garcia just achieved something Saturday that even eluded his older brother Jameson, a senior for the Cadets who’s already a two-time state champion.

“It has always been a competition between us,” Nicholas said. “I always try to one-up him, and this is my first step.”

That first step? Nicholas Garcia took home the 106-pound title with a 3-1 victory over Sandburg’s Rocco Hayes in the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional in Hinsdale.

Garcia secured a takedown with 23 seconds remaining in the third period to break the deadlock.

“I kept pushing the pace, and I knew that he couldn’t keep up with me,” Garcia said. “I like to control my opponent’s arms and the wrist, then get that quick takedown.”

The Cadets produced a program-record 12 qualifiers for the individual state meet that begins Thursday at the University of Illinois’ State Farm Center in Champaign.

Marmion produced seven finalists and four sectional champions, including freshman Zach Stewart (120), Jameson Garcia (126) and junior Jack Lesher (182).

Jameson Garcia finished third at 106 in the sectional as a freshman. Interestingly, he lost to Rocco Hayes’ older brother, Sammie.

“My brother is just the toughest kid I know,” Jameson said. “Anybody who steps in front of him, I know that he is tougher.

“This is also a tribute to our father — how he was always there for us and the different places he took us to train.”

Nicholas Garcia (25-4), ranked No. 4 in Class 3A by Illinois Matmen, has proven he belongs in the conversation of the best wrestlers this season in the lower weights.

“Winning a sectional is just so exciting,” he said.

Despite suffering a chest injury that kept him out of action for more than two weeks, Garcia returned last week to capture the regional championship.

Watching Jameson win the state championship at 113 last season provided an ideal motivation.

“My brother is my best supporter,” Nicholas said. “He’s always there to push me after practice. It’s great to have him as a mentor and a friend.”

Making history: At the Class 3A Conant Sectional, St. Charles East nearly matched Marmion with a program-record 11 state qualifiers.

The Saints had seven champions, led by undefeated freshman Dom Munaretto (46-0) at 106 pounds and junior Ben Davino (46-0), a two-time state champion, at 126.

Better late than never: After leading St. Charles North to the Class 7A state quarterfinals in football, senior Drew Surges delayed his wrestling debut until late January at the DuKane Conference Meet.

Competing at 195, Surges (9-0) added a sectional title to his triple crown of conference and regional championships.

He defeated St. Charles East junior Brandon Swartz by a major decision.

Another elite rookie: Despite losing to Munaretto by technical fall in Saturday’s sectional championship match, South Elgin freshman Demetrios Carrera put himself on the map.

The only previous loss for Carrera (38-2) came against Rocco Hayes.

Five alive: At the Class 3A Normal Sectional, Yorkville sent four to the finals and finished with five state qualifiers. Junior Ben Alvarez (34-8) won at 220, while sophomore Luke Zook (40-7) won at 170.

Quick study: West Aurora senior Tyler Johnston learned his lesson.

A week after losing to East Aurora junior Arnold Walker at 285 in the regional semifinals, Johnston (27-5) registered a stunning pin during the first period of the third-place rematch at Hinsdale Central.

Johnston was one of three Blackhawks to qualify for state. Walker (26-9) was the lone qualifier for the Tomcats.

“Last week, I feel like I got too much in my head,” Johnston said. “I was a lot more prepared. At the regional, I was a little too aggressive and it didn’t work out for me.

“This time, I needed to be more in control.”

Cruz control: Oswego senior Cruz Ibarra was the most dramatic state qualifier from the area.

Trailing 5-4 against Lyons’ Cooper King in the closing seconds of the consolation semifinal at 195, Ibarra secured a stunning reversal and back points.

Ibarra (37-6) then rode the momentum to a major decision over Naperville Central junior Jacob Smetters in the third-place match.

“Against the Lyons’ kid, I held him down, got my back points and smiled at my coaches because I knew right then I qualified,” Ibarra said.

Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.