Time was not on Aaron Stewart’s side.
Or was it?
At the USA Wrestling 16U national tournament in Fargo, North Dakota, on July 22, the Warren sophomore had eight seconds left to make a move during the 160-pound Greco-Roman championship match.
“I knew I had nothing left to lose,” Stewart said. “I had to score and go for anything.”
Stewart, who had already won the 16U freestyle championship at 160 on July 19, trailed Emmitt Sherlock of Maryland by a point. So Stewart went for it — and prevailed 5-4.
“It was a blur to me what happened,” he said. “I even forgot what I did until I watched the video. I went for anything and everything. I jumped over him and locked my hands. It was the first time ever using that in a match. I knew if I didn’t do anything, I wouldn’t win.”
For Stewart, losing is a rare occurrence. He has won multiple national titles in his age group over the years and, as a freshman, went 43-2 and finished third at 152 in Class 3A at the state meet in February.
The Greco-Roman title nearly eluded him last week, however. Stewart’s father, Ryan, a former two-sport athlete at Waukegan, is usually on the mat coaching him but sat in the stands in Fargo.
“I thought he had lost, but then, oh my gosh, he won,” Ryan Stewart said. “We didn’t practice Greco much. It wasn’t the highest priority. That (win) shocked me. I jumped out of my seat. Me and my wife hugged each other in the stands.”
Aaron Stewart said his semifinal loss to West Chicago senior Nolan Allen, the eventual state champion, pushed him throughout the spring and summer.
“I’m not used to losing,” he said. “After losing, it motivated me to drive myself to get these next big wins. I knew I had a lot of eyes on me. It was a national tournament. I’m looking forward to winning plenty more.”
Stewart moved on quickly.
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“I didn’t celebrate much and got back in the grind after Fargo,” he said. “Winning both of my finals was really exciting. My movement and snap-downs were the biggest things that helped me. But I was back at my workouts and practices soon after.”
Warren wrestling coach Brad Janecek said Stewart’s success is a byproduct of his athleticism and drive.
“His final Greco match was pretty exciting,” Janecek said. “It was a close one. He pretty much walked through the freestyle. He dominated. But the Greco went down to the final seconds. He had a great takedown. He had to go through a little adversity.
“Aaron has won at Fargo before and been a two-time champion and All-American in both styles. But his achievement this summer at 16U is pretty significant. People who didn’t know who he is in the wrestling world certainly do now, and they realize his next three years could be pretty exceptional. He’s a great kid from a great family.”
Wrestling isn’t the 5-foot-6 Stewart’s only athletic endeavor, however. He ran track in the spring, and he is slated to be a varsity running back and defensive back for the Blue Devils during the upcoming football season.
“I’m trying to keep wrestling and football as equal as possible,” he said. “I ran track to get better for football and also get my speed and endurance up. I really want to show my talents off for football, not just for wrestling.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
