Lincoln-Way West’s Max Herman operates in just one gear that always pushes forward.
Herman, a senior transfer from Texas, has grown accustomed this year to change and transition, which is also reflected in a wrestling style that has become both intuitive and dazzling.
“I like to wrestle free and just push the pace on people,” Herman said. “I always try to open up when I’m on offense. I think the best defense is offense.
“I did a great job of starting the match by moving my hands. I kept that up through the second and third periods.”
Herman indeed kept going Wednesday night, finishing off a 13-7 decision over Ethan Harvey at 165 pounds to spark the Warriors to a 46-24 SouthWest Suburban Conference victory over host Lincoln-Way Central in New Lenox.
Lincoln-Way West (1-1, 1-0) won 10 matches, getting technical falls by junior Brady Glynn at 132 and seniors Jack Strezo at 138 and Jimmy Talley at 215. Junior Shane Stream won by fall at 138.
Lincoln-Way West’s Max Herman, left, defends against Lincoln-Way Central’s Ethan Harvey at 165 pounds during a SouthWest Suburban Conference match in New Lenox on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
Senior Jalen Byrd posted a fall at 190 for Lincoln-Way Central (5-1, 2-1). Senior heavyweight Aiden Hennings also won by fall.
Herman, who’s ranked No. 6 at 165 by the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association, improved his record this season to 9-3. His arrival from Katy, Texas has brought a new dimension and versatility to the Warriors’ lineup.
“He’s a huge addition who brings a lot of energy to the team,” Glynn said of Herman. “It’s great to come to a new team and help keep everybody together. And he’s long and athletic.
“He goes up against a lot of bigger guys, but he gets in there so easily.”
Lincoln-Way West’s Max Herman, left, faces off against Lincoln-Way Central’s Ethan Harvey at 165 pounds during a SouthWest Suburban Conference match in New Lenox on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
Brian Glynn, Brady’s father, is Lincoln-Way West’s coach. He confirmed that Herman fills a void.
“He’s the missing piece in many ways to our puzzle in terms of that weight class,” Brian Glynn said of Herman. “And he’s very coachable.
“We probably have a different run in our program than what he’s used to, but he’s eager to learn.”
While Herman is new to the south suburbs, he’s familiar with the state. His father, Jevon, was a Class AA undefeated state champion at 171 pounds for St. Charles in 1993.
Lincoln-Way West’s Max Herman, left, gets tangled up with Lincoln-Way Central’s Ethan Harvey at 165 pounds during a SouthWest Suburban Conference match in New Lenox on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
Jevon earned All-American honors wrestling at Illinois. During the fifth grade, Max spent a year living in the western suburbs of LaGrange. His older brother, Jackson, wrestles in college at Long Island. His mother, Mindy, played Division I soccer at Central Florida.
“The transition has been a great process,” Max Herman said. “All the coaches and teachers have been very welcoming. We have a great coaching staff, and just being around these guys and being able to pick apart their brains about specific techniques has been amazing.”
In Texas, Herman was a three-time state qualifier. He finished 46-5 last season.
“I started wrestling in second grade,” he said. “My father never forced it on me. You look at other sports and they’re about teams and you get to rely on other people.
“When you get on the mat, it’s just you and the other person.”
Lincoln-Way West’s Max Herman shoots for a takedown of Lincoln-Way Central’s Ethan Harvey at 165 pounds during a SouthWest Suburban Conference match in New Lenox on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
Herman also picked up another aspect from his father to balance out his interests.
“My dad has played the guitar for about 30 years and I started picking it up about a year ago,” Max said. “We can just sit around and play the guitar. We tend to play more acoustic, but we can also play electric.”
So far, Max Herman has been electric on the mat for Lincoln-Way West. And he loves it here.
“After wrestling, a lot of things in life become a whole lot easier,” he said. “The grind is what I love the most. There’s always something to improve on.
“You come back from a loss, you come back from a win, you never wrestle perfectly.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
