New Trier’s Patrick Ryan (left). PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
Two wrestlers — Patrick Ryan and Jack Tangen — and a gymnast — Sheena Graham — have been named Athletes of the Month by the DailyNorthShore.com and @properties.
Ryan and Tangen a formed a terrific tandem at New Trier.
The two seniors closed out their wrestling careers in style by coming up with third-place finishes at the IHSA Class 3A state tournament in Champaign on Feb. 16-17.
Ryan, a three-time state qualifier, defeated Oswego’s Gannon Hughes 4-3 in the 145-pound third-place bout to end the season with a sterling 48-1 record.
Tangen put the finishing touches on a stellar season (45-3) by downing Lockport’s Zach Reese 3-1 in the 152-pound third-place match.
Meanwhile, Graham, just a freshman, could have wilted under the pressure that accompanies moments at a state gymnastics meet. The Glenbrook South rookie was rock solid instead at Palatine High School on Feb. 16-17, finishing sixth in the all-around (37.15 points) and helping the Titans (146.6) earn a third-place trophy for the second year in a row.
The top finisher in the all-around among all freshman state qualifiers also placed seventh on the balance beam (9.05) and tied for seventh place on vault (9.5).
For their sensational efforts, Ryan, Tangen and Graham will receive a special gifts from @properties.
New Trier’s Jack Tangen. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER
GBS’s Sheena Graham. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER