• What’s your name and age/grade?

Seamus O’Donnell, 18, senior.

• What weight class are you in?

220.

• How long have you wrestled?

12 years.

• How long have you wrestled at CLC?

All 4 years.

• Do you enjoy the sport and what do you enjoy about it?

I like that it is individual, so the only person to blame is yourself. You can’t blame a loss because of someone else.

• How are your teammates usually during matches and practices? Attitude/skill?

We are usually supportive and like to have a good time but hold each other accountable.

• How often do you guys practice?

5 days a week.

• How many matches have you had this year?

26.

• How many matches have you won/lost this year?

24-2.

• Have you ever hoped to see more peers and students in the audience at your games?

Yes, but I understand why not a lot of people enjoy watching the sport besides parents.

• How are the coaches?

Strict but fair – they make sure everyone who doesn’t start gets an even number of matches with everyone else.

• Any advice for beginning wrestlers or future wrestlers?

Be coachable – our coaches know a ton about the sport and can help a lot.

STATE INTERVIEW

• What did you have to do that allowed you to go to state? How does the “road to state” process work for non-wrestling fans?

You have to take top 3 at regionals and then top 4 at sectionals. I won both.

• Where did you go for state?

U of I Champaign-Urbana.

• How did you feel?

Excited to be there again but nervous as it was the last tournament of my high school career.

• What was it like?

Nerve racking and intense. An unforgettable experience.

• Who came with you?

Austin Ernd, Caden Ernd, Liam O’Donnell, Frank Carone, Braden Bisram, and Rocco Carone.

• How did they do?

Liam placed third.

• What was it like on the mat?

It felt like a chance to relive state from last year, but with a different mindset because I had been there before.

• How were the other players to you? Were they friendly or competitive etc.?

Of course, there were competitive because we were all trying to get on the top of the podium. After the match, however, most were friendly.

• How did you feel before making 4th and after making 4th?  

I was always hoping to make the state final but understanding the difficult road to get there. After taking 4th, I was a little disappointed but proud after getting bicep surgery from football and giving up 30 pounds to these kids.