State Champion Chino Makes History at Wheaton South

Being part of one state championship in an accomplishment few high school student-athletes ever experience.

Sparty Chino has been to the top of the mountain three times in two years—twice during this, his senior year.

Despite weighing between 150 and 160 pounds, Chino mixed it up with opposing linemen almost double his size while playing nose tackle for the two-time defending Class 7A state champion Tigers football team.

Last November, Chino and his teammates won the crown with a dramatic victory over . After the football season had concluded, however, Chino turned his attention to another sport he’s also poured his heart and soul into since he was a boy: wrestling.

Chino's tasted success on the mat at state for Wheaton South the previous two seasons. He took fifth place both as a sophomore and junior, wrestling at 135 and 142 pounds, respectively.

But he wanted more. He wanted to stand on the podium at the University of Illinois’ Assembly Hall as a state champion.

Last weekend, Chino reached the pinnacle of what’s been an incredible career—not to mention a memorable senior year—by becoming the school’s first state champion wrestler.

Competing at 152 pounds this winter, Chino dominated his state finals opponent, Lockport’s Shaun’Que McMurtry, 16-8, to conclude an undefeated year in his weight class. The only loss Chino (39-1) suffered all year took place when he moved up and wrestled at 160.

“It’s pretty incredible is the only way I can really describe it. I’ve been wrestling at South whole life,” said Chino, who started in the WWS youth wrestling program as a boy. “We have state qualifier boards. Ever since I’ve been a little boy, I said, ‘Wow, there’s never been a state champ.’ My goal coming into high school was to win a state championship. To finally get my hand raised as a state champion was the most incredible feeling in my life.”

Chino said he went into the state tournament with a different mindset this time around after heeding the advice of his father, Thoma.

“I knew was my last shot at it,” he said. “I could have gone in there really stressed out, but I know I had the tools. My father has told me that wrestling is just like taking a test. If you do all the studying and homework, you’ll be fine when you take the test. I had a laid-back attitude and was just focused and ready to go.”

The road to becoming a state champion is arduous. Chino explains that in addition to practicing five days per week, wrestling on the weekends or in weeknight dual meets—and training on Sundays—he wrestles during the summer as a member of the Overtime School of Wrestling in Naperville.

“It’s almost my second home in the summer, lifting (weights) there and wrestling there,” he said. “It’s given me the opportunity to wrestle at national meets and at other high levels. You have the regular season, but that’s not enough if you want to excel and win a state title.”

This week, Chino has been on a bit of a victory tour around Wheaton South, getting well-wishes from teachers and students. On Wednesday morning, Chino and fellow state qualifiers —a senior who finished second in the state at 145—and classmate Joe Hall (fourth at 215) were treated to a reception that included Chino’s parents (Thoma and Athina), wrestling coach Ryan Ferguson, athletic director Mike Healy and WWS principal David Claypool.

Chino credits his parents, Ferguson and Wheaton South head football coach Ron Muhitch, among others, for enabling him to succeed in two sports.

“I attribute my success to my parents, my school and the coaches, and really everyone who’s helped me through four years,” he said. “Especially Coach Ferguson. He’s helped me out and has always been there for me and is like a second father to me. They’ve been incredible giving me every chance to succeed.

“Coach Muhitch is one of greatest coaches I've ever been exposed to. I couldn’t have done this by myself; it was a collaborative effort.”

Now, Chino is turning his attention to choosing a college where he also can continue wrestling. He’s been talking to representatives from the University of Illinois, Northern Illinois, George Mason and Nebraska, but hasn’t made up his mind where he’ll go.

“It (winning the title) is starting to sink in,” he said. “The first few days I was kind of like in a daze. Everything I wanted to accomplish, I accomplished. It’s starting to settle in, and I’m starting to look forward to the next level. Pick a college to wrestle at and getting ready for that. Enjoying my senior year, focus on education and get ready for college.

“I’m going to take this process slow and make the right choice for me and my family.”