Before the first match, Saint Ignatius President, Fr. William Murphy, S.J., welcomes Lake Catholic and leads the Wildcats' faithful and those in support of the Cougars in prayer.

A Seniors/Parents and Wrestling Alumni Night crowd watches Coach Mark Sullivan's 'Cats defeat LC, 48-25, and witnesses DiCamillo's 63rd consecutive career victory, as George is called on to move up a weight class.

Six Wildcats and Coach O'Rourke garner All-League honors in hockey (see after wrestling story).

BY EDDIE DWYER

The chant rang loud and true in Sullivan Gymnasium on Friday night.

“Undefeated, undefeated!”

Saint Ignatius’ student body, just seconds after gifted senior wrestler George DiCamillo put on another dominant performance in what was his last match in Sullivan Gym, stood and paid honor to its friend, classmate and nationally recognized “man for others.”

With seniors Zach Lozar and Trevor Herak, mainstays on the Wildcats’ record 11th Division I state championship football team, helping lead the support, admiring kids and adults also stood and applauded for one of the greatest athletes ever to walk the halls of the Jesuit Preparatory School on Cleveland’s near West Side.

“It’s weird to think about four years ago, as a little 95-pounder walking into the gym,” said DiCamillo, after he extended his school record for career victories to 141 and his eye-popping consecutive match winning streak to 63 with a quick and authoritative pin. No. 63 came at 126 pounds, as George, the top-ranked 120-pounder in the nation, was asked to move up a weight class on Friday night in order to help out the team.

“It was like, what am I getting myself into,” said DiCamillo, referring back to his freshman season. “I had high expectations coming in, but to think I would get to where I am now, a wins record and having a (state title) banner hanging out there. I never would have guessed that.

“It’s all of the hard work I’ve put in,” George continued. “Everything I do is not just for me. It’s for the entire team.”

DiCamillo’s admiration and respect for his teammates were never more evident than on Friday night, when his focus was on Wildcats gritty and savvy 106-pounder Jimmy Ferritto, who opened the dual by winning against an opponent who had defeated him during the Brecksville Holiday Tournament.

Standing behind his father, Ralph, a top assistant for head coach Mark Sullivan and a former standout wrestler for Benedictine, George urged on the talented Tommy Zeigler, who moved up to 120 and went on to record a pin. Then, after making short work of his opponent, George went back to watching and encouraging the rest of his teammates.

“It jump starts me,” DiCamillo said of the joy he gets in watching his teammates succeed, teammates such as 152-pounder Nick Lees, who, said George, “has been going out there and slaying his opponents.” Along with Lees’ pin, Saint Ignatius’ faithful were treated to impressive performances by Ethan Janesz (pin at 160), Scott Chase (8-2 decision at 182) and Max Baughman (pin at 220).

After he went up into the stands to thank members of the student body for their support, DiCamillo, who has signed a national letter of intent with the Virginia Cavaliers, said supporting and helping his teammates in pursuit of their goals is another way of leaving your footprint in the program.

After going 35-0 and winning Ohio’s 112-pound state championship last year, George will now attempt to make the largest footprint in Wildcats wrestling history – a two-time undefeated state champ.

“That is why I coach at Saint Ignatius, for kids like George DiCamillo,” said Coach Sullivan. “Kids like George, who come here and work extremely hard in the classroom and work hard in the wrestling room. But more importantly, George works extremely hard with the youngsters, is well spoken and is a great representative for the school. I can’t say enough about him.”

Coach Sullivan said the thing that pleases him heading into the OHSAA tournament is that his team has improved each and every week.

“We start off at a high level with the Ironman, but by the end of the season is when we have to peak,” said Coach Sullivan. “And I think the kids have responded well. Every single kid on this team has gotten better.”