After a couple of setbacks, Max Siegel stages postseason comeback for Andrew. ‘It’s a huge confidence boost.’
Andrew senior Max Siegel has been on a mission to get back to the state meet after he was stunningly eliminated last season in the sectional.
Siegel’s postseason this winter also got off to a bit of a shaky start, but he stepped up in a huge way Saturday to win the Class 3A Quincy Sectional championship at 126 pounds.
“It’s a huge confidence boost,” Siegel said. “I got good wins going into state. I stayed in very good position and just took good shots. Now, I can’t wait to get out there and get on the mat at state.”
Siegel’s sectional performance showed he can be a contender again at the state meet, scheduled for Thursday through Saturday at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
Andrew coach Pete Kowalczuk said there’s been a long process of getting Siegel (40-6) back to where he was before last season’s sectional setback.
“It’s awesome to see him back where we know he should be,” Kowalczuk said. “I think over the last year we’ve been looking to find a way to find that confidence back. Maybe it’s not a confidence issue, but trying to find yourself again.
“I think he’s back, and it’s perfect timing.”
At the end of Siegel’s freshman season, the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association held a state tournament after the Illinois High School Association canceled due to the pandemic.
Siegel made a surprising run all the way to a state runner-up finish at 106.
Setting the bar high for himself early in his career, Siegel has had to deal with the weight of big standards and high rankings.
“I felt like I had a lot of expectations from people,” he said.
Siegel qualified for state as a sophomore but did not place.
After last season’s disappointment, he was hungry for a big run in his final high school season. But the pressure got ramped up after being upset by Homewood-Flossmoor’s Robye Williams in the Rich Township Regional semifinals.
That left him needing to win two rounds of wrestlebacks to keep his season alive, which he did.
“I knew I could handle anybody in the bracket,” Siegel said. “I just had to forget about the loss and wrestle.”
Now, after a big sectional performance, Siegel is ready for his return to Champaign.
“Last year was heartbreaking because I know I can be right there with the top guys in the state,” he said. “It definitely motivated me. I’m definitely ready to go back.”
Hayes heats up
Sandburg junior Rocco Hayes dominated the 106-pound field at Saturday’s Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional, pinning all three of his opponents.
Hayes (44-1) heads to state on quite a roll.
“I’m just happy with all my training,” he said. “I got prepared really well for this. The job’s not done. I’ve got more work to do. I want to get that bracket board next week.”
Hayes, who finished third last season at 106, feels ready to make the climb to the top of the podium this weekend.
“I’ve gotten a lot more offensive,” he said. “I’m able to get to positions I wasn’t able to last year. It really helps knowing I’m really good at what I do when I can get on my offense.”
Seeds planted
Hayes, Mount Carmel’s Seth Mendoza (126), Marist’s Will Denny (150) and Joliet Catholic’s Dillan Johnson (285) were all awarded the top seed in their respective Class 3A brackets at state.
Johnson, a Wisconsin recruit in both wrestling and football, is attempting to become a four-time state champion. Mendoza, a junior, is aiming for his third title.
Joliet Catholic’s Jason Hampton (120) and Nico Ronchetti (190), Lockport’s Justin Wardlow (138), and Northwestern recruit Eddie Enright (157) and Wisconsin commit Colin Kelly (175) from Mount Carmel are second seeds.
