McNamara has high hopes for the Greenmen grapplers

Aurora Junior Colin McNamara has been a standout athlete since his youth playing days. Colin has had two brothers, Brian and Danny, and one sister, Erin, already go through AHS. He also has a brother behind him in the ninth grade, Aidan. Colin has taken after his three older siblings on the playing field by being a standout athlete.

McNamara has wrestled for eleven years now since the age of six.

Wrestling runs deep in his blood as both of his older brothers were standout wrestlers at Aurora. “Personally, my biggest role models in wrestling are my two older brothers, Danny and Brian,” said McNamara. Brian wrestled at Case Western University while Danny wrestled at John Carroll University.

Colin accredits much of his success to them, “My coaches always compare the three of us and how we wrestle. It’s funny because they say I wrestle like both of them and I guess it true because of how influential they were to me in the sport of wrestling.”

McNamara found immediate success once he reached the high school mats. In his freshman season he was a varsity letter winner, received first team All-Suburban League honors, and was a District alternate. Colin received his second varsity letter, second team All-Suburban League honors, and became a Sectional champ in his sophomore year.

Heading into his junior season, McNamara has high goals, “My goal is to not only qualify for the state tournament, but to be on the podium (placing top eight in the state).” For the team, they aim to win the Suburban League while hopefully taking six wrestlers to the state tournament in Columbus.

This is John Papesh’s second year as a wrestling coach at AHS and first as the head coach following the legendary Dick Bliss’ retirement. Papesh is an AHS graduate and wrestled at Notre Dame College.

“Everyday he comes to practice and works us hard. He is a very personable guy and sees the potential in each and every one of his wrestlers. He will go above and beyond for anyone both in and out of wrestling,” stated McNamara.

McNamara thanks his parents and siblings for getting him to where he is today, “Without them, I could never do the things that I do and wouldn’t be the young man I am today. I’m forever grateful!” He also thanks his coaches and Nick Courtad for helping him become the athlete he is today while teaching him many valuable life lessons.

You can see McNamara in action for the Greenmen wrestling in the 195 pound weight class.