Sports

Stagg Wrestler Moylan Acing His Final Exams

Stagg senior wrestling standout Kevin Moylan boosted his record to 38-0 when he won the 145-pound championship at the Southwest Suburban Conference tournament. His work in the classroom is every bit as remarkable.

Kevin Moylan never said he was perfect. He record indicates otherwise.

Moylan, a senior at Stagg High School, boasts a 4.6 grade-point average in the honors program. He scored 32 on the ACT. And, soon, he will write his own ticket to college.

First, he will complete the wrestling season and entertain scholarship offers.

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Moylan edged Sandburg’s Colin Holler 1-0 to win the 145-pound championship in the Southwest Suburban Conference tournament Saturday at Joliet Central. The match was a strategic battle between old rivals. The boys trace their relationship back to when they wrestled with the Orland Park Pioneers.

Moylan logged two minutes riding time in the second period and scored the only points on an escape with 1:35 left in the third. Afterward, he related the experience to that of a litmus test.

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“The win was very crucial because throughout the season I haven’t had that many tough matches that really pushed me,” Molyan said. “This was a good to see where I’m at, a good determining match.”

Moylan pushed his record to 38-0. He is ranked No. 3 in Class 3A at 145 by Illinois Best Weekly. He placed third in the IHSA state tournament last season at 140. Holler (31-3) is rated No. 4 at 145.

“Kevin’s a great kid,” Stagg coach Brian Jackson said. “He has two sisters that were both all-state runners. The family is great. His personality is great. He’s a lot of fun to be around. When he goes after stuff, he really commits himself to doing it and works hard at it.

“So, I think he’s going to have a great finish. He’s undefeated right now. He’s already a three-time state qualifier and state placewinner. And he’s an inspiration to everybody, the coaches and the kids. He coaches the kids constantly. His teammates look up to him. So, I couldn’t have a better competitor on my team.”

When Moylan took up cross country before the start of his junior wrestling season at Stagg, he was following in the footsteps of his sisters and looking for ways to build on his conditioning.

Krista and Kara Moylan once were Charger long-distance standouts. The two girls now run track and cross country at Southern Mississippi.

“It was actually last year that I did that,” Moylan said. “It’s a tough sport.”

He spent more time on the mats before the start of this season—focusing on off-season and preseason wrestling. He said he put 50 matches under his belt. He also honed his mindset to that of anything is possible, including winning a state championship.

“I go out every match trying to win,” Moylan said. “I don’t ever see myself losing. So, that’s definitely a possibility.”


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