Wrestling standout Caleb Nadig wasted no time ingratiating himself with the Rochelle Township High School varsity program. Nadig didn’t need long to emerge as an instant-impact starter for the Hubs either, winning over 30 matches and bringing home not only an Interstate 8 Conference Championship, but an IHSA 2A Regional Championship as well.

Nadig, who wrestled his first high school season at Boylan Catholic, went 32-8 in his first campaign with the Hubs this past winter. An IWCOA Fresh-Soph State Championship qualifier, Nadig has already competed in multiple tournaments this summer, recently finishing fifth in the RMN Events USA Nationals event and winning four bouts at the Cheesehead Apocalypse.

“I thought I performed pretty well this past season,” Nadig said. “I definitely improved from my freshman year. I thought I did a good job of maintaining my weight and not letting that be a hindrance. I’d like to take my wrestling to another level next season, both technically and mentally, while having the grit to pull out more tough matches. Our team performed really well and everybody gave their best effort, which was awesome to see.”

The oldest of five boys who all wrestle for Rochelle programs, Nadig will return to the Hubs next season as a two-time IHSA 2A Sectional qualifier and a leading contributor from a varsity group that went 18-4 this past winter. Nadig fell a little short of the state meet as a sophomore, but the rising junior said his goal is to bring home a state title next winter.

“I’m shooting for a state title next year because I think I have that capability,” Nadig said. “I’ll need to consistently work in practice and during workouts to sharpen my physical and mental skills. I’ll also need to absorb any extra technique on the mat that I can. As a team, we did a great job of encouraging and lifting each other up through tough times. It would be good if we can get a bit meaner about our approach to matches because wrestling is a tough sport.”