Wrestling: ‘It’s a dream’ Dominant St. Charles East sophomore Ben Davino wins state title

CHAMPAIGN – Ben Davino twirled around the mat with his phone trying to take a video of the moments following the haze of victory.

“I was [almost] too hyped up to do that,” the St. Charles East sophomore said after his 19-4 dominant win over Loyola’s Massey Odiotti in the Class 3A 120-pound championship match Feb. 19 in Champaign. “I got a small one, a couple seconds.”

Davino was one of two area state champions at State Farm Center.

Marmion’s Jameson Garcia won the Class 3A 113-pound title.

Last year, Davino enjoyed an undefeated freshman season and won an Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association state title after the IHSA state meet was canceled because of the pandemic.

Entering Feb. 19 action, Davino had only lost once all season.

He wasn’t about to let that happen again. The winning mentality shined through.

“I want to be the best there is at this sport,” Davino said. “The only way I’m going to do that is to be dominant on the mat.”

[ Photos: Class 1-2-3A wrestlers compete for the state title Saturday night ]

What are his thoughts on only one loss in two seasons?

“It’s incredible. It’s unique. It’s amazing,” he said. “There’s so many words that I can put it into, but those are the first ones that pop into my head. It’s a dream.”

Davino has been like a dream to his coach.

“It’s interesting when you have a kid at that level. The progression tends to be a little bit slower. That ceiling, there’s not a whole lot of room, but every time he goes out there, he impresses us,” Saints coach Jason Potter said. “His rate of acceleration – the difference from even last year to this year is incredible.”

Potter called Davino “a student of the sport.”

“Like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” Potter said. “He wants to be good in every single position. He doesn’t stay in one spot. He’s known for his fireman’s carry, but if you take that away, he’s going to hit you with 10 different moves. … He enjoys scoring points. He’s out there trying to put on a show. He’s not just trying to win a match.”

Saints sophomore Tyler Guerra took third in the Class 3A 132-pound match with a 3-1 decision over Providence’s Billy Meiszner. Upon leaving the mat, Guerra flexed his muscles toward his team sitting in the stands.

“It didn’t go the way I wanted. Obviously, I wanted that title, but I’m proud with what I got,” Guerra said. “I’m proud that I wrestled back and I took third.

“I’m constantly working,” he continued. “I’m waking up in the morning, I’m working. I’m going to school. … I’m doing everything I can to improve myself with everything I needed to do.”

Gavin Connolly (145) and Austin Barrett (285) took eighth for the Saints.

Marmion’s Garcia won the Class 3A 113-pound title with an 11-4 decision over Mount Carmel’s Damian Resendez. Before the ref held up his hand, Garcia flashed a No. 2 to the crowd for his second state title. That includes his IWCOA 106-pound title last year.

“It was awesome getting to experience both the IWCOA and this in two different arenas,” Garcia said. “It was just awesome.”

Tyler Perry, Marmion’s 170-pound senior, fell in his title match, dropping a 7-2 decision to Lockport’s Brayden Thompson, who had an undefeated 45-0 campaign.

“It’s meant everything,” Perry said of his first state tournament experience. “Being here with my coaches and my friends … everyone supporting me ... it just means a lot.”

Cadets sophomore Jack Lesher, a Class 3A 182-pounder, took fourth after a 9-2 loss to Belleville East’s Dominic Thebeau.

Lesher, competing in his first state tournament, knows he’s got two more chances to return before his high school career ends. This year’s finish is the building block.

“It was a fun experience,” Lesher said. “Taking fourth, even as a sophomore, it’s a really big accomplishment even though I had the state title on my mind. Not everything goes as planned, so my junior and senior year, I’m just looking to bounce back and be a two-time state champ. I think this experience will help me a lot.”

Collin Carrigan (152) took fifth and Donny Pigoni (106) was eighth for the Cadets.

Batavia junior Kaden Fetterolf fell to Moline’s Kole Brower in the Class 3A 138-pound title match 13-3 in a major decision.

To reach the finals, Fetterolf had to defeat previously unbeaten Stevenson wrestler Cole Rhemrev in the semifinals.

“He wrestled [the best he’s wrestled] in his life [this tournament]” Batavia coach Scott Bayer said. “He beat some really good guys to get there. … The last opponent from Moline, he’s just a tough kid. … He beat us in all phases.”

Batavia’s first-ever state champion in varsity program history came last season when Mikey Caliendo won the Class 3A 160-pound IWCOA title match.

Concluding his freshman season, Batavia’s Ino Garcia was fourth after a 7-6 loss to Homewood Flossmoor’s Deion Johnson in a Class 3A 106-pound bout.

Aidan Huck (113) and Cael Andrews (145) were eighth for the Bulldogs.

Kaneland’s Cam Phillips took fourth in the Class 2A 106-pound division.

Phillips lost to Aurora Christian’s Deven Casey 16-3 in the third-place match.

“I’m not exactly satisfied, but it’s whatever I guess,” Phillips said. “It’s not exactly what I wanted but I guess it’s good.”

Kaneland coach Ken Paoli said he’s glad Phillips could medal to cap a standout career for the Knights.

“I’m proud of the effort Cam has put in the last four years,” Paoli said. “He has 115 wins over four years, a 40-win season this year. He’s top 10 for all-time wins at Kaneland and top 10 for wins in a season. ... Very proud of the effort he put in. He’s our captain, he’s our leader and it’s been a pleasure to coach him these last four years.”

Aurora Christian had two state champions in Class 2A: Braden Stauffenberg (152) and Nate Wemstrom (195).

Stauffenberg won in sudden victory over Sycamore’s Brayden Pete, 5-3.

Wemstrom also won in sudden victory, a 3-1 decision over Washington’s Donnie Hidden.

Aurora Christian’s Joe Fernando (126) took second after a tough 5-4 loss to Freeport’s Markel Baker. Deven Casey (106) took third, Josh Vazquez (132) and Braden Hunter (285) were fourth and Taythan Silva (245) was eighth.