Fenwick's Mike Kozyra Knows What He’s Doing This Year

Fenwick senior Mike Kozyra is looking to add another state medal when he returns to the 2A state meet in Champaign.

Fenwick’s Mike Kozyra presses down on Woodstock’s Ryan Plourde during a 170-pound wrestleback match at the 2A Lakes Sectional. | Michael Schmidt/For Sun-Times Media

Last season, Mike Kozyra didn’t know what to expect while making his first trip to the Class 2A state wrestling tournament.

But coming off a fourth place finish at 160 pounds at state, the Fenwick senior feels he has an extra advantage when he begins his second competition downstate Thursday in Champaign. Kozyra placed third in the Lakes Sectional Saturday after beating Clemente’s George Sosa 2-1 at 170 pounds.

Kozyra (26-6) opens the state meet against Mahomet-Seymour’s Derek Grant (37-5). With a win, Kozyra is hoping to face Tinley Park’s Eric Schultz (39-2) in the quarterfinals. The two have become good friends since attending the same 28-day summer camp at the University of Minnesota, run by Gophers coach J. Robinson. 

Kozyra and Schultz stayed on the same floor in their dormitory and still keep in touch.

“I’m pretty excited. My family is going down and I have some close friends that are coming [to Champaign],” Kozyra said.

Based on rankings by IllinoisMatmen.com, the Lake Sectional was by far the toughest in the state at 170. The top three rated 2A wrestlers at that weight were placed in that sectional. Kozyra, an Elmwood Park resident, was ranked third entering last weekend. 

Kozyra had already secured a berth when he lost in the sectional semifinals to No. 2-ranked Kyle Fugiel of Crystal Lake Central, 10-2. Top-ranked Xavier Montalvo beat Fugiel in the final, 5-2.

“It was weird [against Fugiel],” Kozyra said. “He had a takedown at the end of the match and earned some back points.”

Kozyra actually beat Sosa twice at the sectional. On Friday, he pinned Sosa at 2:58 in the quarterfinals.

Kozyra is the only Fenwick wrestler to qualify for the state meet and hopes to join Bobby Barnhisel, Nick Bertucci, Matt Garelli and Dave Herrera as Friars wrestlers who medaled twice at state.

“I’m going in with experience,” Kozyra said. “Last year, I did not have any experience and got lucky. This year, I’m going in as an all-stater. I have confidence.”

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