Baseball was among several sports Marmion senior Nicholas Garcia tried growing up. Always an industrious type, he was game for any sport that appealed to his brash, exuberant personality.
How did he end up in wrestling?
That turning point in his athletic life came in — of all places — Oklahoma.
“I was probably around fifth grade when I quit baseball and the other sports I was playing,” Garcia said. “I was starting to do well at the national level in wrestling. I went to a tournament in Tulsa and made the championship against Dom Munaretto.
“I just thought to myself, ‘Man, I’m pretty good at this and I should stick with it.’ I wasn’t truly serious about wanting to get better until freshman year and I had my brother pushing me.”
That push added another line to the ledger for Garcia last February at the State Farm Center in Champaign. He captured his second straight state title with a win by major decision in the Class 3A championship match at 126 pounds over Marist’s Michael Esteban.
Marmion’s Nicholas Garcia, left, and Marist’s Michael Esteban tangle up during the 126-pound final of the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional in Hinsdale on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)
A week later, Garcia finished his season with a 29-1 record and completed a prized double-double by powering the Cadets’ to a dominant win over Rockton Hononegah for the dual-team state title.
Jameson Garcia, Nicholas’ older brother and a Marmion graduate, is now a junior wrestler at Harvard. He was also a two-time state champion.
In Nicholas’ freshman year, Marmion fell just short of the dual-team state championship against St. Charles East. Now, the Illini recruit is looking to go out with a flourish by besting his brother.
“We’re actually really different — me and my brother,” Nicholas said. “He was much quieter. A lead-by-example type. I’m more vocal. I’m a little louder with my teammates.
Marmion’s Nicholas Garcia, left, and Marist’s Michael Esteban get twisted up in the 126-pound final of the Class 3A state meet at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday Feb. 22, 2025. (Rob Dicker / The Beacon-News)
“I definitely felt the pressure. He was a two-time state champion already committed to Harvard before I ever wrestled a match. I lost my first high school match because of how nervous I was.”
That changed quickly, however.
“I had such a great support group with my coaches and my brother that I overcame it,” he said.
His outsized personality and style even wore down his older brother.
Marmion’s Nicholas Garcia, right, and Marist’s Michael Esteban face off during the 126-pound final of the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional in Hinsdale on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)
“Honestly, growing up with Nicholas could be very annoying at times,” Jameson said. “Everything I did, he tried to do better. As much as I tried to keep him in check, I also couldn’t let him beat me.
“This dynamic is what I attribute to our success.”
Marmion coach Anthony Cirrincione said a bright, analytical, open mind is the key for that success for the younger Garcia.
“He’s genuine and believes that he will win every match he wrestles in,” Cirrincione said. “He trusts in his coaches and in himself to figure out ways to improve, even if it’s just 1%. He can rise to the challenge or the occasion like few I have witnessed in my coaching career.
“There’s no ceiling on what he can accomplish.”
In a legendary showdown as a senior, Jameson Garcia lost in overtime against four-time state champion Ben Davino of St. Charles East.
Marmion’s Nicholas Garcia holds down St. Charles East’s Dom Munaretto in the 113-pound final of the Class 3A state meet at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown).
Nicholas Garcia helped avenge that loss by beating Munaretto, Davino’s teammate, with a late reversal for a 4-2 decision in the 113-pound state championship match two seasons ago.
Munaretto had beaten Nicholas Garcia twice that winter.
“Our rivalry goes back to when we were little kids,” Nicholas said. “After he beat me the second time, I was just upset with myself and I made the decision to drop to 113. I was just grinding. That helped my mental game and I became a better wrestler.”
“I’m gifted athletically and my skill level is high, but my grit is what sets me apart. I hate losing. I refuse to get taken down. Every match I walk into, I know I’m tougher than the guy across from me and I win because of that.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
