HINSDALE – Hinsdale Central’s Cody Tavoso didn’t need much more motivation beyond his sixth-place finish at the state tournament last season to prepare for another shot at glory.

Tavoso, the Class 3A sectional champion at 138 pounds after a 5-0 decision over Mount Carmel’s Liam Kelly on Feb. 11, now is ready to see what’s in store in his next go-around in Champaign.

“Last season was a bit disappointing for me,” Tavoso said. “I had much higher expectations for myself. I want to be top three on that podium, at least, even if I don’t get that title. That definitely fueled me. I was training with a good room of guys all summer long, great coaches, had a lot of different coaches. ... They’ve all been helping me along the way. It’s been a grind absolutely, but I’ve been hungry.”

Tavoso and 220-pound Hinsdale teammate Marko Ivanisevic are leading the Red Devils’ state contingent.

After fighting through and winning the Stagg High School Invite in his weight class via all pins three weeks ago, Tavoso has been feeling solid ever since. Considering it is Tavoso’s senior season, he figures to give it his all before continuing on at Princeton University in the fall.

“That was definitely a good feeling,” Tavoso said. “It was two weeks before regionals and I’ve been feeling good since then. I’ve been on a roll, hoping to continue that at state.”

Ivanisevic won his sectional title over Marist’s Luke Liberatore with a 4-1 decision.

“Marko is also looking for that title this year. He’s an incredibly hard worker,” Tavoso said. “He’s a bear. A really hard worker. ... He’s got a lot of guys pushing him also.”

Downers Grove North heavyweight Ben Bielawski entered the sectional with just one loss. That came at the hands of Joliet Catholic’s Dillan Johnson at the Whitlach Invite hosted in Hinsdale two months ago.

Bielawski (41-1) won the sectional title over Marmion’s Sean Scheck in a 5-0 decision to close the day. Harrison Konder (152) also will head to Champaign for the Trojans.

“I think [my success is from] my coaches and how much time they’re investing in me,” Bielawski said. “My teammates and how much they believe in me. I think it’s my family. I’m lucky to have both parents present helping and supporting me.”

Downers Grove South’s Luke Swan is a close friend of Bielawski. Swan captured the 160-pound sectional title against Lyons’ Gunnar Garelli.

“We just push each other every day,” Bielawski said of Swan. “I’ve got a lot of good support. ... All love for my DGN family, my mom, dad, friends, everybody.”

Bielawski lost in the third round of the consolation bracket at state last year. Improving upon that result is an obvious goal and he has a week to prepare for success.

“It’s just taking one thing at a time,” Bielawski said. “That’s all you can do. You can control what you can control and be present. Which, my brother always told me, ‘You be present and you enjoy showing up to school, enjoy talking to your friends. Then, when it’s time to go to work, [wear your] hard hat.’”

Matty Lapacek (138) also will head to Champaign for Downers South.

Garelli is the lone state representative for Lyons.

Jacob Lachs (138) is Glenbard West’s lone state qualifier.

Sedeeq Al Obaidi (170) qualified for state for Wheaton Warrenville South.

For a full list of team-by-team results, click here.