Wrestling

Streator High School has hired new coaches this summer to try to rebuild its wrestling and girls basketball programs.

St. Charles East junior Ben Davino, a two-time state champion, became the first Fargo national champion in school history last month. Davino is 70-1 for his career and was not scored on during the three day tournament, prevailing 59-0 over seven matches.

Former Johnsburg wrestler JD Sylvanus wanted to give back and build something at his alma mater. Sylvanus is taking over as the new wrestling head coach.

Whether it was seeing the camaraderie of in-state rivals suddenly becoming teammates, experiencing different wrestling styles of competitors from across the country, or watching a teammate win, local wrestlers learned a lot at a national tournament in Fargo earlier this month

Before heading off to SIU-Edwardsville, Bradley Gillum had one last piece of DeKalb business to take care of. The recent DeKalb graduate won a national championship Friday at the 2022 US Marine Corps Junior Greco National Championships in Fargo, North Dakota.

Matthew Todd wanted to find a way to be more involved in the Hampshire community. He found the perfect solution, becoming the high school's new head wrestling coach.

Daniel Rohman will get the chance to lead a program after coaching various levels for 24 years. Rohman, who has served as assistant coach at McHenry for six years, is taking over the Warriors' program.

Huntley takes the Northwest Herald All-Sports Award for the seventh consecutive year with 132 points, well ahead of second-place Crystal Lake Central. The Red Raiders won seven FVC titles and were runners-up in four other sports.

Richmond-Burton's Brock Wood is the Northwest Herald Male Athlete of the Year for a second time. R-B will receive a $2,500 donation from Dr. Steven Rochell in Wood's honor for its athletic programs.

When she got involved in wrestling last year, Alex Perez had some questions. Many of those questions were answered earlier this year when DeKalb High announced it will start a girls wrestling team.

Mark King has influenced countless students in three-plus decades of teaching and 50 years as a football and wrestling coach at Lyons Township. 'He embodies what we teach at Lyons.'

Max Payleitner, the St. Charles East assistant football, wrestling and softball coach, found his passion for coaching from a summer baseball league opportunity. It all comes together for him in the classroom and out in the fields.

Several local athletes made their college choices recently, to continue their athletic and academic careers at the next level.

In a very short stretch at DeKalb High School, athletic director Peter Goff announced a new coach (girls basketball coach Bradley Bjelk), a new program (girls wrestling) and a new chapter to an old rivalry (First National Challenge: baseball edition).

Crystal Lake South wrestler Shane Moran, who won a state title in February and was named the Northwest Herald 2022 Wrestler of the Year, will wrestle collegiately at Northern Illinois.