On the varsity as a freshman this season, St. Laurence wrestler Nina Nesci has had to find a balance.
With years of experience under her belt, she’s immediately starred for the Vikings. But even then, she’s still the new kid on the team.
Nesci has had to prove herself, both as a wrestler and a leader.
Continuing her dominant campaign, Nesci pinned Marist junior Ava Enright in 1:44 on Feb. 7 to win the 120-pound title at the Ag. Science Regional.
“I have stepped up more as the season’s gone forward,” said Nesci, who is 33-1. “I don’t want to overpush. It’s some of the girls’ last year. I have (Coach Arturo Nesci, her dad) let me know when it’s time to step in or let the girls handle it.”
The top four wrestlers in each class advanced to compete on Feb. 13-14 at the Phillips Sectional.
“It’s really this, to win a regional — this is what I’ve worked for,” Nesci said. “It’s a good thing for the team and me as a leader.”
Junior Hannah Marusarz (26-8) was St. Laurence’s other regional champion with a technical fall at 4:12 in the 140 final.
Marusarz said Nesci has stepped up all year.
“Nina is crazy good,” Marusarz said. “She’s more of a silent leader so far. The silent respect comes from there. She gets her stuff done. You have to give her the respect she deserves. She is the one that glues us together.”
Nesci celebrated her 15th birthday on Feb. 7 at the regional.
She wasn’t 100 percent sure what she’d celebrate with at dinner.
“I’m wrestling really underweight, but I don’t know,” Nesci said with a laugh. “Maybe something unhealthy.”
District 230 coop sophomore Piper Booe (34-3), who attends Sandburg, was a regional champ at 115, defeating Ag. Science junior Danita Palmore with a 4-3 decision.
Booe competed at 130 pounds as a freshman, ultimately advancing to the blood round at the sectional, a win away from advancing to state.
“I was way heavier,” Booe said. “I was a freshman going up against older kids that had been wrestling since they were four. It motivates me to be way better than them now.”
Booe said it was tough dropping the weight, but she was always on the go, always working.
“The hard work is paying off,” Booe said. “It shows how much I’ve improved and all the hard work throughout the year. There were some low mental times, but it’s all worth it now. I’ve achieved my goal of being a regional champ.”
Reavis senior Lily Fish (29-3) made history at 155 pounds, winning the first regional championship in program history with a 7-6 decision over Hillcrest’s Melissa Nance in a 7-6 decision.
“It means a lot,” Fish said. “I’ve been wrestling for four years. I was one of three girls surrounded by guys that first year. Seeing me make it this far and seeing how I was freshman year, I’m very proud of myself.”
Fish also plays volleyball and softball at Reavis. She’ll play softball at Moraine Valley next year.
The area’s other champ was Shepard junior Karrine Jenkins (34-4), who pinned St. Laurence’s Elise Brown at 2:00 in the 235 final.
Homewood-Flossmoor beat Oak Forest 191.5-178 for the team title and Marist (176.5) finished third.
Rickover Regional
Morton beat Lane 193-185 for the team title and had three champs.
Taking first for the Mustangs were Andaira Marron (32-1) at 100, Karla Munoz (32-10) at 110 and Luissiana Guerrero (28-10) at 120.
Other local winners were Curie’s Gisella Arambula (27-1) at 105, Kelly’s Sarah Martinez Lopera (29-3) at 170 and Back of the Yards’ Nuomi Ascencio (31-8) at 190.