By Dan McGrath
The Leo varsity’s showing in a four-team, Senior Night meet which the Lions hosted and the frosh-soph’s performance in the Catholic League frosh-soph meet at Mt. Carmel demonstrated the progress Leo’s wrestling program has made in Coach Malik Thomas’ first year in charge.
Universal Christian, South Shore and Hillcrest were the other competitors in the January 30 “Leo Invitational,” which drew a large and enthusiastic crowd to the Lions Den. Senior heavyweights Jesse Howard and Nick Armour were the stars of the show, recognized for their contributions to the program before scoring decisive pins over their South Shore opponents.
Howard is one of Leo’s most popular and respected students, and the crowd’s exuberant reaction to his win was an evening highlight.
Sophomore Vandel Dudley was another standout, wrestling at 132 pounds and winning all three of his matches by pin. Qwannel Smith also was a double winner, while Aiden Bright, Khamari Adams and Jubril Kannicke each split two matches.
The “invitational” was Leo’s lone home meet of the season, but based on its success and the enthusiasm of the crowd, additional wrestling meets will be part of the sports calendar beginning next season.
Though Leo finished 13th among 16 teams in the CCL frosh-soph meet, two Lions won individual championships: Dudley at 132 pounds and fellow sophomore Kannicke at 190 pounds.
Dudley pinned his opponent from Montini in the championship match after pinning a St. Ignatius wrestler in the semifinals and rolling up a 15-4 victory over a St. Rita wrestler in the quarterfinals.
Kannicke defeated his opponent from Brother Rice 18-3 in the title match after pinning his opponent from St. Ignatius in the semifinals and registering a 12-6 victory over a Mt. Carmel opponent in the quarterfinals.
Sophomore Qwannel Smith also competed for the Lions, but did not advance past the preliminary rounds, compiling a 2-2 record that included two pins.
Leo finished with 64.5 points. Brother Rice won the frosh-soph title with 232.5 points, edging out St. Ignatius with 229 points.
Up next for the Leo varsity: IHSA 1A Regional competition at Chicago Hope Academy on Saturday, February 8. The top three finishers in each weight class will advance to the IA Sectional at Coal City on February 14-15.