Making History: Elm’s First Wrestler to Reach State

Jimmy Craig made history Saturday, March 7, when he became the first Elm Middle School wrestler to qualify for the Illinois Elementary School Association’s boys wrestling state finals! The 8th grader went 4-1 in the Class AA sectional at Lukancic Middle School in Romeoville, placing 3rd in the 167-pound weight class.

Jimmy is now 8-3 on the season and will compete in the IESA State Wrestling Tournament beginning Friday, March 13, at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Each state qualifier will wrestle two matches on Friday. Sixteen wrestlers will compete in each weight class.

If Jimmy advances out of the first two rounds, he will continue competing Saturday, March 14, in either the championship bracket or the wrestleback consolation bracket. Individual awards will be presented to the top six finishers in each weight class.

For Jimmy, becoming a state-qualifying wrestler is a story of persistence, grit and determination.

“I lost all of my matches in 6th grade, every single one,” he said. “My next year I made it to regionals, made it to sectionals too, but I lost every one of those (in sectionals). And then in my last year I finally won almost all of them, and then I made it (to state), my goal since I was a 6th grader.”

Not surprisingly, Jimmy learned some great lessons on his way to making it to state. “Some of the lessons are not giving up, keep trying, persevering, not stopping and keep going and keep practicing as much as you can,” he said.

At Elm he is coached by Angelo Tsagalis (head coach) and Jason Friesl (assistant coach). Both coaches have great things to say about their state qualifier.

“Jimmy’s dedication has clearly resulted in a well-deserved breakthrough,” Coach Tsagalis said. “What an incredible journey of growth for both Jimmy and our program!”

Added Coach Friesl: “Sometimes we don’t get what we want immediately and it’s easy to quit or give up. Jimmy is a really great example of what happens when you just keep working. He deserves it.”

Elm wrestler Jimmy Craig poses with Assistant Coach Jason Friesl

Elm will celebrate Jimmy’s accomplishment Thursday afternoon when the school gives him a send-off to state. Good luck, Jimmy! Go Cougars!