IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Highland Park High School’s Marcus Shaw ties up Glenbrook South’s Tempka Temuge during 182-pound action at the CSL Meet. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER
There’s tough.
And then, there’s Marcus Shaw tough.
The Highland Park High School senior powered through a lot of knee pain during the fall football season. And, what did that get him?
All-star status.
The defensive end was impressive enough to earn all-CSL North honors.
His high pain threshold also has come into play during the winter wrestling season. And, what did that get him?
More accolades.
The mentally and physically tough Shaw worked his way to a fourth-place finish at the Central Suburban League Meet at Maine West High School on Jan. 20.
“It’s my senior year,” said Shaw. “I couldn’t throw that away. I had to play football and wrestle. I wouldn’t have been happy with myself, if I didn’t get out there. It would have felt abnormal to sit out.”
Shaw has been an inspirational wrestler for the Giants this winter. He’ll take a 7-5 overall record into the upcoming Class 3A regional meet at Warren High School on Feb. 3.
“I’m pleased with my performance today,” said Shaw, following his fourth-place effort. “But you’re always striving to place first.”
His key win at the conference meet was beating Deerfield’s Judd Fishman 1-0 in the consolation semifinals. That victory advanced him to the third-place match in the 182-pound weight class where he was pinned by Evanston’s Izzy Fox.
“He’s been a huge boost to our team,” said HP first-year head wrestling coach Chris Volpe. “What I like about Marcus is that he leads by example.
Shaw is well spoken — as he was in a post-meet interview — but don’t expect him to be the team orator.
The HP coach loves Shaw’s confident but low-key approach.
“He’s not a rah-rah guy. He’s not going to give team speeches,” said Volpe. “He’s got an aura about him. He’s stoic.
“He’s not like me,” added the coach, with a laugh. “I can be a word waster. Some of my words stick; some don’t. I’ve learned when to peel back. But Marcus? He makes his words count. He verbalizes things in a very efficient way.”
Shaw has developed into a solid wrestler despite not being “all in” all the time.
“He’s not one of those guys who has been wrestling since he was five years old,” said Volpe. “He’s not a club wrestler.”
But Shaw’s athleticism is undeniable. Despite being an undersized DL for the Giants football team, he made timely plays as a speed rusher on the edge. Eight of his 48 tackles went for losses this past season. He also notched five tackles-for-loss during his junior season.
“I love the physicality of football,” said Shaw, son of a military man. “I’d have to say that football has shaped me as a person.
“I take [sports] seriously,” he added. “I’m at my best when I am serious. I’m not one to joke around [during competition].”
In the past couple of seasons, HP’s wrestling program has formed a link with HP’s football program. A lot of the “big guys” at the school — starting with Shaw and including such guys as Jacob Bradford (170), Tate Ellis (220) and Sebastian Newman (285) — are competing in both sports.
“That football tie is why we’re filling out the upper weights,” said Volpe. “The pride thing from football is carrying over to wrestling.
“Those guys bought in right away,” the coach added. “They’ve brought energy into our [wrestling] room. It’s palatable.”
It’s a winning situation, according to Shaw.
“These were my buddies in football,” said Shaw, a move-in from McCordsville, Indiana, prior to his freshman year. “And wrestling with them has made us even closer friends. We drill one another, and we’re always giving each other positive — and negative — feedback.
“Most of my [free] time on the weekends is spent with these guys,” he added.
Notable: The Giants finished sixth (118 1/2 points) in the team standings at the league meet. Alex Rosenbloom, a two-time state qualifier, was the headliner. The senior, a ranked wrestler by Illinois Matmen, lost for only the second time this year, when he came up short, 7-3, against New Trier’s Patrick Ryan (38-0) in the 145-pound final. He’ll head to the regional with a 25-2 record.
HP’s other placers included junior Aidan Rosenbloom (4th at 132), freshman Johnathan Weathers (4th at 138), senior Martin Melchor (4th at 152), junior Tate Ellis (4th at 220) and senior Sebastian Newman (3rd at 285).
Weathers is a wrestler to watch, according to HP head coach Chris Volpe.
“His brother [Steven Weathers, a 2017 standout] was stronger and more physical,” said Volpe, “while Johnathan comes with a little more fireworks.
“He’s a natural,” the coach added. “He flows. He’s got a good awareness. He knows where to be and where not to be.”
Melchor (17-9) could be a sleeper during the postseason. He gave Deerfield standout Kenny Kerstein (ranked 5th in his weight class by Illinois Matmen) a battle before succumbing 21-11 in the third-place match at 152.
“Martin Melchor is a carbon copy of Marcus Shaw,” said Volpe. “He’s got a huge heart and a passion for wrestling. You want to root for him.”
Loyola Academy
Senior Sean Cloherty was one of the standouts for Loyola Academy at the Chicago Catholic League Championships at Mt. Carmel on Jan. 19-20.
Cloherty (30-5) advanced to the 145-pound title match before losing by technical fall to Mt. Carmel’s Kendall Coleman.
Juniors Aidan McKeag and John Michael Kelly also were place-winners for LA.
McKeag pinned Providence Catholic’s Matt Pirc in the 132-pound fifth-place match to earn his 30th win of the season (30-12).
Kelly (28-11) ended up sixth at 182 pounds.
The Ramblers finished ninth in the 17-team tourney with 53 points. Montini Catholic took first with 344 ½ points.
Lake Forest
The Scouts tallied 64 points to finish 11th in a field of 17 teams at the Lake County Tournament on Jan. 19-20 at Antioch High School.
Seniors Caleb Durbin and Quinn Dailey led Lake Forest. Durbin, who is now 31-6, earned runner-up honors at 160 pounds. Dailey (32-6) took second at 132.
Lake Forest’s other place-winner was Bennett Duggan (4th at 106). The freshman is now 32-6 on the season.
Stevenson edged Libertyville 187-163 ½ for the team title.