Wrestling

Parents and photographers looked up to Angelo Silvestro as he stood atop a podium in Champaign two Saturdays ago.

FIRST TEAM 106 pounds – Anthony Bosco, Marmion, Fr. The lightest among the state-placing alums from “The Barn” of SCN Youth Wrestling, Bosco placed third in Class 2A in his debut season, finishing 37-8.

CHAMPAIGN – Of the handful of Noverinis who wrestled and walked about the University of Illinois’ Assembly Hall on Saturday, only one received the conquering-hero treatment.

CHAMPAIGN – Johnny Jimenez hesitates to compare his wrestling state championships.

CHAMPAIGN – Johnny Jimenez, George Fisher and Angelo Silvestro began wrestling in a barn.

Marmion freshman 106-pound wrestler Anthony Bosco advanced to the semifinals of the IHSA Class 2A state tournament on Friday night before suffering a 6-2 decision defeat to Tommy Pawelski of rival Montini. He remains alive in the consolation bracket, entering today’s action two victories shy of third place. Kane County Chronicle sports reporter Kevin Druley caught up with Bosco, a St. Charles resident, for this week’s edition of the Weekend Chit-chat. Bosco, who is 35-8 in his debut season, talked about adjusting to high school and a higher caliber of wrestling. The following is an edited transcript:

Kaneland recreated its wrestling identity at several stops along the way this winter.

CHAMPAIGN – Six of Marmion’s eight qualifiers on Thursday won their preliminary matches at the IHSA Class 2A state meet at the University of Illinois’ Assembly Hall.

AURORA – Nearly everyone with a voicebox shouts “TWO!” at some point during the IHSA state wrestling tournament.

CAROL STREAM – Two college wrestling teams that predominantly feature red covet St. Charles North senior Tim Noverini.

STERLING – Marmion's wrestling program welcomed a handful of new starters this season.

ST. CHARLES – Conant’s Zack Davis easily handled St. Charles North sophomore Jordan Scalice in a bout earlier this season. Several other 120-pound wrestlers enjoyed a similar edge.

WEST CHICAGO – A length of blue fabric buffered fans from the wrestling mats on one side of West Chicago's gym on Saturday.

NAPERVILLE – Revenge can be rewarding. Just ask Batavia’s Anthony Scaccia and Connor McKeehan.

DeKALB – Seven Kaneland wrestlers advanced from Saturday's IHSA Class 2A DeKalb Regional to the Sterling Sectional next week.