By Tim Masmar
STAFF WRITER
BURLINGTON CENTRAL ” Burlington Central’s Ricky Leos still thinks about the bizarre set of circumstances that swiftly unfolded and wiped out a memorable junior season on the wrestling mats nearly one year ago.
How could he not?
Leos was among six wrestlers initially suspended in February when a seemingly ordinary case of “goofing around “at the school got way out of hand and ultimately led to him being banned from the state tournament.
The fighting-related incident happened just days before the team ” in the midst of its best season ever ” was to compete at the Plano Sectional.
In disagreement with the school district’s ruling, Leos and another teammate decided to contact lawyers and fight the disciplinary action levied against them. Leos took it upon himself to seek out legal advice by driving to St. Charles. He finally stumbled upon attorney Scott Sheen, who happened to be a former wrestler himself. Shortly thereafter, a Kane County judge granted both students temporary restraining orders against the suspensions so they could wrestle at sectionals.
And while the other student did not qualify for state, Leos placed second in his 112-pound weight class, earning what he thought was his first trip to the state finals. Knowing his status was in question at the time, Leos placed his shoes in the center of the ring ” a la former U.S. Olympian Rulon Gardner ” after finishing second at Plano. Gardner’s action signaled retirement, Leos’ signified what he thought would happen to his wrestling season.
As it turns out, Leos did travel Downstate like he planned. But it wasn’t to compete. He was there as a spectator, watching teammate Matt Schuck.
Leos’ suspension was upheld two days before his scheduled first-round match in Champaign by Judge Michael J. Colwell, who granted Burlington-based Central School District 301’s request to nullify the temporary restraining order that allowed Leos to compete at sectionals.
The decision left Leos devastated and bitter.
“They (the school district) just hung me out to dry, “said Leos in February after the final ruling.
At the time, Leos said it was likely he would not return to the school for his senior season. When contacted recently, Leos said he indeed came close ” as speculated heavily on illinoismatmen.com ” to transferring to Aurora Central Catholic for the final season of his prep career.
“I felt I should have been there (Downstate) and I was upset about it, “said Leos, whose rift with the school became a compelling local news story that was covered by print and television outlets alike. “I thought about it (transferring), but it was never anything definite.”
As easy as it would have been to walk away, Leos decided to stay at Central in an effort to reshuffle the cards dealt to him. Instead of letting the adversity pin him down, Leos instead elected to use the experience as a lesson learned ” and the ultimate motivator.
“I think about it. I just wish it never happened, “said Leos. “I think I handled it pretty well. I did everything the right way. I wish it wouldn’t have happened, but it taught me a lot of stuff.”
Of most importance, Leos learned that life does go on.
“I decided to come back because I like the school. I wanted to keep wrestling there, “Leos said. “We got a new coach (former assistant Tony Rigitano), that’s why I wanted to stay.”
Wrestling with a new appreciation for the sport, Leos has picked right up where he left off a season ago. On Saturday, Leos lost his first match of the season to fall to 8-1 overall at 119 pounds. He finished 30-8 as a junior.
“I hit a little bump in the road, but I wanted to continue where I left off last year, “Leos said. “I might be a little more aggressive this year, but I still go into every match the same. I try to focus on what I want to do, I don’t take anything for granted anymore. I want to wrestle.”
“I’m so proud of him, “said Leos’ mother, Ameda. “He’s been wrestling since he was 8 years old. He always wanted to wrestle and he always wanted to keep doing it. We are pretty happy he wanted to stay here. Nothing gets him down.”
For now, it appears this case has been closed.
Wrestling Gear
