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Magis Athletes of the Week: Cerar, Spear, Sullivan, Zimmerman

By Joe Ginley '12 , 02/04/20, 5:00PM EST

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Zimmerman notched 2 pins this weekend.

It was a busy weekend for three of the Wildcats' five winter sports teams, while the other two varsity teams rested to prepare for the postseason. 

Even with a light weekend by the Wildcats' standards, there were plenty of standout performances. 

Here are this week's Magis Athletes of the Week, presented by the Carfagna Family Magis Athletic Center. 

Basketball – Tommy Spear '20

The Saint Ignatius varsity basketball team rolled to two wins this weekend, and Tommy Spear had a lot to do with the success.

The Wildcats' senior had a lights-out weekend, proving to be unstoppable to his opponents.

Spear made his largest impact on Saturday. 

With the Wildcats needing a boost against Villa Angela-St. Joseph, Spear delivered. In the first quarter, the sharpshooter drilled a pair of 3-pointers to keep the Wildcats right in it. And then late in the first half, narrowing the deficit to two possessions heading into halftime.

Spear continued to have a hot hand in the second half. He blasted home a critical trey in the third quarter, and then sank another critical 3 in the fourth. He also drew two free throws at the charity stripe, and hit both. For the day, Spear penciled in a 17 in the scorebook. 

All season long, Spear has been a phenomenal shooter for the Wildcats. He's provided a crucial spark when needed. When he's hot, opponents need to be afraid. Spear is a great shooter.   

Hockey – Matt Sullivan '20

Even amidst two losses this weekend, Matt Sullivan played well.

The second-year varsity forward has provided great scoring all season long, along with great physicality and effort.

Sullivan continued to play with passion on Friday and Saturday. Coach Pat O'Rourke was impressed with the senior's effort this weekend, even in two losing efforts. Sullivan and the Wildcats need not hang their heads – Detroit Catholic Central and Brother Rice entered as the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams in the state entering the weekend.

Sullivan and the Wildcats will head back up north this weekend to face off against Trenton and Brighton for the MIHL Showcase. 

Swimming & Diving – Brice Cerar '21

While the varsity team continued to train for the Sectional Meet, the JV Aqua Cats headed to Canton for the JV Championships.

At CT Branin Natatorium on Saturday, Brice Cerar had himself a day.

The hard-working junior got to the podium four times, part of an impressive showing for the Wildcats.

Cerar competed in the 500 free and three relays for the Wildcats. The 500 free is a notoriously tough race for a high school swimmer, but Cerar performed well in the marathon event. Cerar fought his way to the podium with a dynamic effort.

And in the three relays he participated in, the Wildcats excelled. Each time, Cerar and the Cats earned a trip to the stage and some time in the limelight.

Cerar is the type of young man who deserves some time in the spotlight. His coaches call him a great young man with a bright future, the type of guy you want on your team. 

Wrestling – Carter Zimmerman '21

Few grapplers are on a streak as hot as Carter Zimmerman's.

The junior has been simply unstoppable over the last few weeks. In his four matches, Zimmerman has been dynamite.

His hot stretch continued this weekend. Against two strong foes from Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy and Akron Firestone, Zimmerman tabbed two pins.

In his first bout, Zimmerman needed some time to accomplish the feat. Battling with a stout Firestone foe, Zimmerman slowly worked his magic. By the end of the third period, he had worn down his opponent, and his reward was a pin and six team points. 

Zimmerman needed much less time in the second battle. The Strongsville native took care of business in just 43 seconds.

On the season, the junior has a 14-8 record with 11 takedowns, 7 nearfalls, 8 pins, and 71 team points. Watch out for him the rest of the season.