West Aurora junior Marcus Quintana always weighs his personal standards against the high school wrestling achievements of his older brothers, Moses and Noah.
Moses and Noah made a combined six appearances at state for the Blackhawks.
“I always try to do better than them or at least the same because I know they’re going to make fun of me if I do worse,” Marcus said. “I had a great childhood growing up with them.
“It was wrestling in the basement or the backyard or training at the MMA gym.”
It all paid off Saturday for Quintana, who won by fall in the first period over Waubonsie Valley’s Chase Nailos in the 165-pound championship match of the Class 3A East Aurora Regional.
Senior Dayne Serio captured the 175-pound title and junior Malan Hatfield won at 157 for the Blackhawks, who finished as the runner-up to defending dual team state champion Marmion.
West Aurora advanced nine wrestlers to the Hinsdale Central Sectional on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Quintana, who qualified for state in each of his first two seasons, wants to make it three straight.
“He’s always pushing the pace and he’s very strong on top,” Hatfield said of Quintana. “His personality is kind of nonchalant. He’s always chilling. He always sets an example.
“He’s very serious about the sport.”
Noah Quintana has the family’s best individual finish with fourth place at state in 2024 at 150. As a freshman, Marcus qualified for state at 126. He returned to state last season at 144.
“Marcus is a very disciplined and resilient kid,” Moses Quintana said. “He never takes the easy way out and is always ready to push himself by facing any challenge head on.
“It’s his commitment to constant growth that really sets him apart from others.”
Marcus Quintana (26-4), who came up with two wins by fall in the regional, is ranked No. 9 in Class 3A at 165 by the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association website.
His pin only 51 seconds into the final was the quickest championship match at East Aurora.
“I really came in with the attitude of really keeping the pace and outworking the other guys,” Quitana said. “I like to wrestle at a higher pace, but still smart.
“When there’s a shot, I like to go for it because you get into that special flow and movement.”
Despite being the youngest, Marcus confirmed his older brothers never took it easy on him. He watched and studied them while developing his own style and rhythm.
Moses, the oldest brother, was the natural leader. Noah was quiet with self-determination. Marcus called himself a hybrid of both.
“Noah wrestled really high-paced but he was always relaxed,” Marcus said. “Sometimes, I look at his old videos and film to see what he did out there and how he wrestled but I keep my own style.”
Wrestling marks a personal triumvirate for Marcus, who also boxes and trains in mixed martial arts with a special emphasis on jiujitsu.
“I’ve had nine bouts in boxing,” said Quintana, pointed out that he finished second last year in the Golden Gloves at 157. “I don’t really do jiujitsu competitively but I train with it.
“What I really love about all three is you can’t really rely on anyone else except yourself.”
Outgoing and personable, Quintana is an avid outdoorsman who loves fishing and recently took up golf. And when it comes to the future, he uses his brothers as a measuring stick.
“Noah got fourth at state and I want to see if I could do better than that,” he said. “I didn’t place last season, but it made me realize I’m one of the top competitors and I can hang with those guys.
“Now, my goal is to win the sectional.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
