Tommy McNeil continues redemption year in Crystal Lake Central’s win over Jacobs

ALGONQUIN – Crystal Lake Central senior Tommy McNeil faced two paths after losing a match he felt he should’ve won at last season’s IHSA Individual State Tournament that cost him a shot at placing.

McNeil could either let the loss break him, or he could become better because of it.

[ Photos: Crystal Lake Central vs. Jacobs wrestling ]

In Thursday’s dual against Jacobs, McNeil didn’t look broken at all. He picked up the last of six Tigers pins at 215 pounds to cap off Central’s 46-28 Fox Valley Conference win.

“I’m just trying to go all out, leave nothing on the mat,” McNeil said. “Stick to that mindset, no expectations, no one’s thinking anything. You just go out there and wrestle as hard as you can and leave nothing out.

“Leave everything on the mat.”

McNeil left everything on that mat in the final win of the night for the Tigers (14-6, 6-1). After sizing up his opponent for the first half-minute of his match, McNeil hit a foot sweep, got the right underhook he had been looking for and grabbed a 3-0 lead before earning the win by fall.

That foot sweep is how McNeil grew over the past year, according to Central coach Justen Lehr. Wrestling has always been McNeil’s secondary sport as he tries to play college football. But Lehr said McNeil came back this season more technically savvy and deliberate with his moves.

Those mental improvements have helped McNeil reach a 30-3 record and build confidence during his senior season.

“Confidence is a big thing with him and with any high school kid,” Lehr said. “Most of these kids, if they go out there thinking they can win, you’re going to get a better product. He really feels that way this year, I think more than he did last year.”

That confidence has spread to the Tigers lineup, especially in the upper weights. Senior Tommy Tomasello helped the Tigers pull ahead 34-22 when he won 165 by technical fall. Senior Cayden Parks (190) and McNeil each followed suit with wins by fall.

Sophomores Jackson Marlett (113), Daniel Snow (126) and Abe Palomino (138) and junior Dylan Ramsey (126) each won by fall, while sophomore Nick Zuehlke took his match by technical fall.

Although the Golden Eagles found ways to pick up some early wins, McNeil never doubted the Tigers would prevail after leading 29-22 heading into the upper weights.

“We know it’s time to drop the hammer,” McNeil said. “Once we get up to like 165 and that other team might think they got it down, we know we’ll come back and we’ll take care of it at the end.”

Senior Conner Zacarias (157) and freshman Enrique Garcia (120) each won by fall to lead the Golden Eagles (12-7, 5-2). Senior Nathan Gomez (144) took his match by major decision, freshman Travis Wilgosiewicz (106) won by forfeit while seniors Owen Piazza (175) and Max Garcia (285) each won by decision.

“I’m just trying to go all out, leave nothing on the mat. Stick to that mindset, no expectations, no one’s thinking anything. You just go out there and wrestle as hard as you can and leave nothing out. Leave everything on the mat.”

—  Tommy McNeil, Crystal Lake Central senior

Although Jacobs couldn’t pick up a few more wins, Jacobs coach Gary Conrad was proud of the way his team battled with a couple starters out due to injury.

“I think things change a little bit, but we put some kids up from our lower levels, and they wrestled hard,” Conrad said. “So we wrestled the best we could. We just have to get better.”

The Golden Eagles will turn their focus to the Batavia Invitational on Saturday. The Tigers will host a quad the same day.

With a couple weeks left before the start of the postseason, the goal the rest of the way is pretty simple. McNeil chose one path, and he’s ready to see it through.

“The ultimate goal is to go down to state, place high, get down there with your boys, have fun and just wrestle your best and have a good time,” McNeil said. “But ultimately, place high up on that podium.”