Marian wrestler Remke takes fifth at state

Marian Central Catholic High School sophomore Nick Remke finished fifth in the 138-pound weight class at the IHSA Class 2A state tournament Feb. 14 to 16 in Champaign.

Woodstock North High School sophomore Cody Barnes lost both of his matches in the Class 2A 195-pound weight class.

Remke won his first match by fall (2:16) but lost his second match 4-3. In wrestlebacks, Remke won by fall (5:04), by decision 7-5 but lost by fall (5:07) in the semifinal wrestlebacks. He won the fifth-place match by decision 3-2. Remke lost to the second- and third-place finishers at the state tournament and the first-place winner at the sectionals the week before.

Marian Central head coach Buck Riedinger said Remke had a great year and has the temperament and the work ethic to win a championship in the future.

“Nick wrestled great at the tournament,” Riedinger said. “He’s got an even temperament where nothing fazes him. He’s a very focused kid. I could see him being one of the top kids next year if not the top kid. He’s the hardest worker I’ve ever had. That’s why I made him a captain this year as a sophomore.”

Barnes lost both of his matches by fall, to the second- and fifth-place finishers, 5:02 and 2:29 respectively, but said the experience was invaluable. 

“It was good,” said Barnes, who was the first wrestler for WNHS to qualify for state. “Just being down there in that atmosphere, to experience it, was fantastic. I just have to go into [next season] with a focused mind and work hard to do my best.” 

Woodstock North head coach Shane Haak said Barnes should take this experience and use it to improve going forward.

“It’s a great experience,” Haak said. “For Cody, as an athlete, I can’t even imagine what it’s like wrestling down there on the mat and getting that experience.

“I know what Cody’s thinking right now. He’s looking to build off this experience for his junior and senior years.”