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Wrestler of the Year: 'He's just very consistent'

Marmion junior Diego Sotelo added to stellar career with third state medal, second-place finish

This season, Sotelo narrowly lost in the Class 3A 113-pound championship match, finishing with a 42-4 record. He took second at state, second at sectionals and was first at the regional and the Chicago Catholic League meet. For these achievements, Diego Sotelo is the Kane County Chronicle Wrestler of the Year. "The best thing I can say about him is he's just very consistent," Marmion coach Nathan Fitzenreider said. "He's a guy that's consistently going to be giving you a good effort at all times in the room. And that's how he is when he competes, too. "I never really see him compete and do poorly," Fitzenreider continued. "He gets after it every time. That's how he is in practice. He's just one of the most consistent kids that I've ever coached." That type of standard seems to have the attention of the Cadets' wrestling room. "All the kids want to watch him wrestle when he competes because they know they're going to get to see something outstanding," Fitzenreider said. "That kind of sets the example for them [for] what they want to be when they grow up." (Sandy Bressner)

By JACOB BARTELSON

This season, Sotelo narrowly lost in the Class 3A 113-pound championship match, finishing with a 42-4 record. He took second at state, second at sectionals and was first at the regional and the Chicago Catholic League meet. For these achievements, Diego Sotelo is the Kane County Chronicle Wrestler of the Year. "The best thing I can say about him is he's just very consistent," Marmion coach Nathan Fitzenreider said. "He's a guy that's consistently going to be giving you a good effort at all times in the room. And that's how he is when he competes, too. "I never really see him compete and do poorly," Fitzenreider continued. "He gets after it every time. That's how he is in practice. He's just one of the most consistent kids that I've ever coached." That type of standard seems to have the attention of the Cadets' wrestling room. "All the kids want to watch him wrestle when he competes because they know they're going to get to see something outstanding," Fitzenreider said. "That kind of sets the example for them [for] what they want to be when they grow up." (Sandy Bressner)

Sotelo embraces his lead by example role. "I feel like it's a big role for me, especially toward the younger guys. They're all looking up to me," Sotelo said. "I try my best to lead by example, making sure they know what they should be doing. I'm hoping that I did a good job with that." Entering this season, Sotelo knew there was going to be a lot more people looking out for him. "I still trained mostly the same, kept that in mind [and made sure] I made my jump I needed to make in the summer with my training," Sotelo said. (Matthew Apgar)

Sotelo was driven to new heights by adversity. He broke his right tibia in the summer of 2018 during a wrestling competition. Sotelo returned about a month before his sophomore season started. He went on to win the state championship, getting past the injury. "It really pushed me a lot," Sotelo said. "I knew I had a lot of time I had to make up. I had to push myself even harder with the time I had [lost]." He's now set his sights for what should be a stellar senior season. Sotelo is weighing bumping up one or two weight classes. Sotelo also has competed well in previous years at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman Wrestling Tournament in Ohio, taking third this season and fourth as a sophomore. "I want to be the best I can in the country," Sotelo said. "I want to make sure I show myself well in the national competitions. Hopefully, become undefeated next year and try and get that No. 1 spot." (Sandy Bressner)