From Feb. 16-18, varsity wrestlers competed at the IHSA State Tournament at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Chris Moore (170 lbs) won first place in his weight class, earning him MCHS’s first ever state wrestling championship title.

Though Pedro Jimenez (145 lbs) and Ryan Hanson (106 lbs) did not place in their weight classes, all three wrestlers pushed themselves to reach new levels and get as far as they could in the tournament. 

“I am proud of their work ethics, their resiliency and will to keep fighting each match, the pride in which they take in themselves and the McHenry Warrior Wrestling Program,” explained head coach Daniel Rohman. “No matter what, win or lose, they are learning and growing as an athlete and wrestler. I know that each individual gave the coaching staff everything that they had when they competed.  As a coach, I can’t ask for more than that.”

All of the wrestlers accomplished a goal that they had for the state tournament. One of the ones that stood out the most was Moore’s goal of winning state. 

“I’m most proud of me accomplishing my goal of becoming an undefeated state champion,” described Moore. “The most memorable part about state was getting a take-down in the finals with 10 seconds left to seal the deal for the win.”

MCHS has celebrated Moore’s success in many ways throughout the week, including a special fire and police escort on Tuesday morning and a parade through the hallways at both campuses that included the cheer team and marching band.

Moore has been named Athlete of the Week by the Northwest Herald, due to his accomplishments and winning his weight class in the state tournament.