After moving from Texas and transferring to Joliet Catholic, Maddux and Vince Tindal have had to adjust to a new level of competition.
But the brothers have continued to be each other’s best asset, constantly pushing each other. Even if that means an occasional conflict.
“We practice in the basement all the time,” Maddux said. “We get each other better. We might get in a fight every now and then, but it’s worth it.”
The Tindals got their first taste of a team state series competition Tuesday night and they were ready for the moment, helping the Hilltoppers roll to a 43-27 win over the host Foxes in a Class 3A Yorkville Dual Team Sectional.
Maddux (35-11), a sophomore, got a key pin against Liam Fenoglio at 120 pounds. Vince (26-15), a senior, lost at 157 but put up a big fight against Yorkville’s top wrestler. Jack Ferguson, who finished third at individual state, edged Vince 13-10 but failed to pick up any bonus points.
Luke Foster, Matthew Laird and Elias Gonzalez also had pins to lead the Hilltoppers, who advanced to take on Oak Park-River Forest at 5 p.m. Friday in a state quarterfinal at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.
Derrick Pomatto, Aurelio Munoz, Jason Hampton, Nolan Vogel and Luke Hamiti added wins for Joliet Catholic.
Maddux and Vince Tindal, meanwhile, are going through the dual team state series for the first time. Texas crowns its team state champions based on points earned at the individual state meet.
“It’s way different,” Vince said. “We’re used to going to individual state and when you’re done, you can eat whatever you want. But we had to turn around and make weight on Tuesday morning. Turning around and practicing right away on Sunday morning, it’s a different experience.
“It’s fun to come out here and compete with the team.”
The Tindals lived in the Chicagoland area when they were younger. After seven years away, they returned when their father got a new job.
“I was bit nervous to move into a new school for my senior year, but it’s a nice change of pace,” Vince said. “It was just about learning the coaches, learning how they teach practices and learning their styles and working with new teammates, making new friends.”
Joliet Catholic assistant coach Luke Pascale, who ran the team with head coach Ryan Cumbee away for the dual, was pretty excited about adding Maddux and Vince to the team.
“They’re goers, both of them,” Pascale said. “It was a gift. They roll into town and fit right into our lineup. They’re both hard workers and they put it on the line for the team.
“People talk about wrestling being an individual sport but we preach team, we preach doing it for the guy next to you, and these guys showed it (Tuesday).”
Maddux finished third in the state at 106 pounds last season as a freshman. Last weekend, he went 1-2 at state.
But Maddux is not discouraged.
“I know I’m right up there because every match I’ve lost was super close,” he said. “So, I’m going to keep working, and I know next year, I’m going to get on that podium.”
Vince was proud of his younger brother for responding the way he did Tuesday night.
“It’s been a different change of pace,” Vince said. “Last year, he wrestled 106 and took third at state, but the competition in Texas is definitely not as good as it is here.
“It was nice to see him come back and get a nice pin out there.”
Vince, meanwhile, went 2-2 at state and lost in the blood round, falling one win short of the podium.
But now, he’s ready to help his team bring home a state trophy.
“I’ve been on and off all year, battling injuries and sicknesses,” Vince said. “I feel like I’m hitting my groove right now.”
