A whistle shrills as head wrestling Shane Cook stands at the mat side of the 2023 IHSA state wrestling championship match. Stevenson athlete Lorenzo Frezza ’23 wins in overtime earning 3rd place at the IHSA state tournament. Later that night, he gets a flashback to when he first decided to compete in wrestling, a decision that changed his life forever.

Growing up in Waukegan with two older brothers and a single mother, Cook was always determined to succeed on and off the mat. He fell in love with wrestling, following in his brother’s footsteps while training at home and later going on to wrestle for his high school team. 

“Having two older brothers, our living room was a wrestling mat, they truly helped me learn my love for this sport, I’m grateful for them everyday,” Cook said.  

Both Cook and his brothers were inspired by his mother’s dedication, admiring how big of a role she played in many students’ lives as a teacher for the Waukegan Public School District. According to Cook, his mother was a kind person who was very loved by her community which inspired him to try and be the same way.

“Growing up, I watched her foster these relationships and constantly look for opportunities to help others,” Cook said. “This value was instilled in my brothers and myself.”

Right before Cook graduated college, he had the opportunity to student teach at Stevenson This part-time position had turned into a full-time teaching job, allowing him to carry on his passion for wrestling. This year marks Cook’s 20th year working at Stevenson as both a coach and teacher. 

Throughout his time coaching wrestling, he has led the Patriots to one IHSA regional championship, five North Suburban Conference titles, and guided 14 state medalists. Cook strives for his wrestlers to grow on the mat and in their everyday lives. 

“My goal is for our athletes to become better people and then eventually better college students, better employees, better sons and daughters,” Cook said. “They would become better versions of themselves through being involved in athletics, and that is the true essence of victory”

Cook believes that ensuring students grow as individuals is the most important job he has. His career gives him the chance to help students with their personal development. 

“The amazing place Stevenson is gives me the opportunity to be able to connect with others, to be able to hear their story, to be able to learn from others and help them on a daily basis,” Cook said. 

During his time at Stevenson not only has Cook coached boys’ freshman football, girls’ lacrosse, boys’ wrestling, and taught physical welfare, but he also met his wife Kristin Pielarski-Cook. According to Cook, his wife has motivated him by supporting his goals. 

“My family means everything to me. I am not the man, the teacher, or the coach I am without the never-ending support of my wife,” Cook said. “And now that I am blessed to be a dad, I truly understand another level of love. My family drives me today to be better than I was yesterday. Protecting them and providing for them is my greatest duty and responsibility. And I am grateful and honored that God chose me for them.” 

After his mother passed away in 2019, Cook felt it was important to continue her legacy by giving his students and athletes his all. His mother inspired him to turn his role at Stevenson from a job to a calling to do good.

“The impact she had on so many people’s lives led me to become a teacher,” Cook said. 

According to Cook, one of his main goals is to influence his students’ lives and make sure they know they are valued.  Cook is known by his students and athletes for more than coaching as he is known to have a well-known reputation throughout the entire population at Stevenson because of his personality, according to varsity girls’ wrestler Nastia Kobets ’27

“He has this ability to give motivational speeches and push people to try their best, and that truly shows he’s passionate about what he does,” said.

Cook continuously strives to create a positive image of himself. According to Cook, he cares about his athletes’ success, but also his students’ well-being, ensuring that his students view him as a supporter and someone who always cares, and have someone to go to if times are hard.

“Cook is important to our team because he truly motivates us to do hard things and continuously has a positive mindset towards everything,” Mikey Polyakov ’27, 2-time state qualifier, said. “He’s always there for me and has really impacted my life.” 

As Cook coaches and teaches students, he wants to make sure that they know that he is a resource who will always be there for them. Wrestler Daniel Hulewicz ’27 says that Cook has taught him and his teammates the value of teamwork and helping others. 

“Cook has taught me a valuable lesson of understanding the importance of celebrating and taking care of those around us,” Hulewicz said. “Our team slogan ‘always together’ exemplifies that as Cook strives to ensure that we always support each other and the team before all else.”According to Cook, the wrestling team is extremely meaningful to him, and he values the closeness of his team as well. The supportive and positive environment of the wrestling team allows for all wrestling athletes to feel connected and united. 

“Were not just a Stevenson wrestling team, but also a family,” Cook said. “It allows for all wrestlers regardless of what level they are on, to feel like they are a part of something bigger.”

Cook explains how he values the closeness of his wrestling team and believes that wrestling is more than a sport, it’s a community. He believes that anyone that wants to pursue their passions in wrestling should, and that the wrestling community is very accepting. 

“The doors are open and all are welcome no matter who you are, where you come from, and what you’ve been through,” Cook said.