Providence Sends 9 Wrestlers To State, Freshman Brings Back A Title

NEW LENOX, IL — A freshman at Providence Catholic High School secured his second state title—and a rare chance of becoming a five-time high school state champ—at the IHSA individual wrestling finals at State Farm Center in Champaign Feb. 20–22.

Wrestling at 150 pounds in Class 2A, Justus Heeg won all four of his matches by technical fall, landing his first state championship with the school after moving back to the Chicago suburbs from Minnesota, Coach Donny Reynolds said. Heeg beat junior Brock Ross of Mascoutah in the title match, by tech fall at 20-5.

Heeg's first high school state title was in Minnesota, where eighth graders are able to compete at the high school level, Reynolds said.

Reynolds knew of Heeg from earlier matches prior to his arrival at Providence, and Heeg had previously worked with youth wrestling coaches in Lemont, he said.

"I was able to watch him wrestle over the summer. You see the level he’s at already, and he’s almost kinda jumped another level since he came to Providence," Reynolds said. "He works hard, he puts in the extra workouts. He’s lifting early in the mornings. He’s getting in extra lessons.

"... He’s a young kid, handles his business, and trains like he’s a senior getting ready for college."

Heeg's older brother Judah, who wrestles as a junior at Lemont, also claimed the top podium spot, winning the 2A title at 190 pounds.

Justus Heeg was one of nine qualifiers for Providence, Reynolds said, including six freshmen, one sophomore, one junior, and one senior.

Freshman Jasper Harper finished 4th at 157. Freshman Christian Corcoran took 5th at 106. Sophomore and two-time All State Tommy Banas finished 5th at 132.

Other qualifiers included freshmen Nate Ortiz at 113, Lucas Forsythe at 126, Luke Banas at 138, junior Declan Dircks at 175, and senior Mike Sisk at heavyweight/285.

"Everybody competed hard, which is all we ask," Reynolds said. "As long as you’re not out there putting your head down, and throwing the towel in.

"Are you gonna lose matches? Yeah. It’s just part of the sport. Nobody makes it through the sport unscathed."

Reynolds hopes is wrestlers are working toward collegiate goals.

"... Hopefully you get some looks from colleges," Reynolds said, "and ultimately walk away with a degree, because of wrestling."