Patrick McGavin – Page 15

East Aurora's Jalen Bealer (5) and West Aurora's Terrence Smith (24) battled for rebound positioning during the nonconference crosstown matchup on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.

The real Bealer: East Aurora’s Jalen Bealer is a baller. His coach knows it. And West Aurora does now, too. ‘I was hot.’

January 9, 2023 at 12:46 p.m.

Junior guard Jalen Bealer fits the classic mold of an offensive juggernaut for East Aurora. And when the opponent is West Aurora? "I knew this game meant everything for my...

Oak Lawn's Cory Lee (0) drives pass Eisenhower's Ayipey Salinas (3) and Elijah Moore (24) during a South Suburban Red game in Oak Lawn on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.

Appreciation post: Henry Martinez puts head down and goes to work inside for Oak Lawn. ‘That’s my big man. I love him.’

January 9, 2023 at 11:38 a.m.

Junior center Henry Martinez keeps his eyes on the court, but what about his ears? Those are tuned in to hear Oak Lawn coach Jason Rhodes, who is always ready...

Yorkville Christian's Jackson Gillen, left, and Lena Winslow's Griffin Luke battle during the Class 1A 170-pound state championship match at the University of Illinois' State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022.

Patrick Z. McGavin’s Aurora and Elgin midseason wrestling report: Marmion, St. Charles East, Yorkville Christian & more.

January 5, 2023 at 2:33 p.m.

Jameson Garcia and Ben Davino have always operated on parallel paths. Garcia, a senior at Marmion, is a year older than Davino, a junior at St. Charles East. Despite the...

Senior running back Bryan Romero, right, takes a handoff from Michael Moravek during practice at East Aurora on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022.

Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither was East Aurora’s Bryan Romero. Giving up football for wrestling? ‘I’m really good.’

January 5, 2023 at 1:54 p.m.

During eighth grade, Bryan Romero tried wrestling for the first time. Thinking back to those days, the East Aurora senior recalled how negative his impression was about the sport —...

West Aurora's Jordan Brooks (11) takes a shot against Joliet West during a Southwest Prairie Conference crossover in Aurora on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.

Right on: Jordan Brooks turns into another prong in West Aurora’s blossoming youth movement. ‘We have a lot of fight.’

January 4, 2023 at 9:57 p.m.

Junior guard Jordan Brooks didn't have to worry about breaking the mold at West Aurora. The Oswego transfer entered an intriguing mix of young talent eager to find themselves. "When...

Lincoln Way-Central's Ben McLaughlin (0) drives to the basket against Ag Science during a nonconference game in Chicago on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2023.

Victory lap: Jack Barrett is a perfect fit as Lincoln-Way Central tries to rebuild on the fly. ‘I just want to win.’

January 3, 2023 at 10:15 p.m.

Senior point guard Jack Barrett is amendable to the moment for Lincoln-Way Central. In a season of transitions and new beginnings, Barrett has been the stabilizing force. "I have always...

Batavia junior Sydney Perry is 17-0 this season.

From Rome to Buenos Aires, world traveler Sydney Perry becomes ‘trailblazer’ for Batavia in girls wrestling: ‘I realized I was actually good.’

December 27, 2022 at 12:29 p.m.

Batavia's Sydney Perry barely had a moment to pause when she heard the news. In July, during the Junior National Championships in Fargo, North Dakota, Perry was notified she had...

Kaden’s cadence: Batavia’s Kaden Fetterolf rattles off perfect 21-0 record after losing in last season’s state final. ‘It was a great experience.’

December 19, 2022 at 1:06 p.m.

One fragmented loss led to a whole lot of learning for Batavia's Kaden Fetterolf. Last February as a junior, Fetterolf reached the Class 3A state championship match at 138 pounds...

Oswego's Cruz Ibarra, top, controls Libertyville's Cole Matulenko during the 195-pound match at the Wheaton Warrenville South Mega Duals on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.

Patrick Z. McGavin’s Aurora, Elgin and Naperville wrestling rankings and wrestler of the week for Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022

December 19, 2022 at 12:32 p.m.

Top 10 With records through Sunday and previous rankings in parentheses. 1. Marmion 3-0 (1) Jack Lesher, a junior, proves to be a dynamic force at 182 pounds for Cadets....

Yorkville Christian's Jackson Gillen, left, and Lena Winslow's Griffin Luke battle during the 170-pound championship match in the Class 1A state meet at the University of Illinois' State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022.

Jackson Gillen, a defending state champion, draws line in sand for Yorkville Christian. ‘I plan on not losing. That is an excellent goal.’

December 12, 2022 at 12:51 p.m.

Yorkville Christian senior Jackson Gillen has a habit of turning dreams inside out. He already has been a walking nightmare this season for opponents who feel the strain and pressure...

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