Champaign – St. Rita Senior Scene Larkin wrestled his elder brothers, Marti and Pat, wrestling for Mustangs. Marti is now continuing his career in Michigan State.
But Sean took the family’s legacy to a new level on Saturday night. And Larkins has a state champion.
Sean said, “I now have rights over my brothers – 100%”.
Larkin rallied to demolish Washington’s Peeton Cox in the 144-Pound Championship match of Class 2A individual state meat at the State Farm Center.
Each of the last two sessions, Larkin qualified for the state, but did not make podiums, a small win in the last winter.
Larkin said, “When we returned last year after losing in the blood round, I spoke to my coaches and we said,” Whatever the podium takes to the podium, “Larkin said. “We worked day by day.”
Instead of making podium, Larkin (22-2) topped St. Rita to become the first state champion as four-time champions Austin O’Coner won his final title in 2017.
After a period of the championship match, Larkin launched Cax 6–1, but returned all the way.
St. Rita’s Scene Larkin, Chop Diya, a fight against Washington’s Peeton Cox meets at the State Farm Center in the champion on Saturday, February 17, 2024 in the championship match of Class 2A in 144 pounds in 144 pounds. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
He said, “I took it a takedown at a time,” he said, pointing out of the second period that “I just wanted to get the first points.
“I knew that once I put him down, he was not going back, because when I am at the top, I am the place where I am going to score all my points.”
It is not new to fight back to Larkin. He spoke to MCL in his left knee in his second match of the season, but worked hard to get ready to strengthen his senior season.
“I was out of Christmas, like a month or two,” he said. “I slowly came back.
“I had to rehab after every exercise.
Marist’s Will Denny defeated Renzo Augusto of Barrington for 150 pounds to beat the Class 3A state championship match on Saturday, 17 February, 2024 at the State Farm Center in the Champion at the State Farm Center. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Denny dedication
Marist Junior Will Denny has a tattoo on its right part with a date: September 1, 2020. The day when his grandfather, Mike Bernard died.
“I know that he is always on my side in every meeting,” said Denny. “They always pushed me better, I was sometimes asked to be satisfied.
There was a lot to be proud of Saturday night as Denny (42-4) defeated Renzo Augusto of Barrington with a big decision of 15-7 in the class 3A championship match in 150 pounds.
Denny, the recruitment of North Carolina State, is the first state champion of Marist since Jake Ford in 2015.
After finishing fourth in the state last season, Denny went to work on becoming more technical.
“I thought how to wrestle,” said Denny. “It seems crazy to say, but this was the biggest thing.”
Marist’s Will Denny, Ok, tries to keep Renzo Augusto of Barrington below 150 pounds in 150 pounds in 150 pounds in 150 pounds in the Class 3A state championship match at the State Farm Center in Champagne on Saturday, 17 February 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
On the stage
Sandberg’s Rocco Hayes (3A, 106), Marist’s Donwon Alan (3A, 138), Mount Carmel’s Rylon Breen (3A, 190), St. Rita’s Jack Hogan (2A, 106) and Da La Sail’s Jeremia Lawrence (1A, 106) and Josemia Lawrence (1A, 106) and Jose Hernses (1A, 175).
The fourth place was Ivan Stanley (3A, 132) of Mount Carmel and Ryan Hinger (3A, 138) of Sandberg.
Jolit Catholic’s Max Kambi (3A, 113) and Luke Hamiti (3A, 157), Luke Civinski (3A, 138) of Lincoln-Vest, Noah O’Conore (2A, 150) and Alex Passquel (2A, 285) and David McCarture (1A) of Da La’la (1A).
Mount Carmel’s Justin Williamson (3A, 113) and Demian Recentage (3A, 138), Andrews Max Seagal (3A, 126), Jolieit Catholic Max Coral (3A, 165) and Nico Roncheti (3A, 190), Providenth (3A, 190), Providenn (3A, 165), Andrews Max Seagel (3A, 138), Andrews Max Seagle (3A, 138), Justin Williamson (3A, 138) and Damian Recentage (3A, 138) and Damian Recentage (3A, 126). 175).