Once upon a time, West Aurora junior Dominic Serio wanted to give up wrestling.
At age 6, he was ready to pursue other interests until he saw his younger brother, Dayne, start to excel at the sport and get rewarded by their father, Rob.
“Dominic was all ready to quit, but then he saw that I got a new pair of wrestling shoes,” Dayne said. “My dad asked him if he also wanted a new pair.
“It was history after that.”
The standout brothers are ready to make their opening postseason statement Saturday at the Class 3A East Aurora Regional.
Competing at 150 pounds, Dominic Serio (24-1) is fully recovered from a knee injury he suffered in late December. His only loss was an injury default in a match he was dominating.
Dominic Serio, who went 34-5 last season at 144, was one match away from being a placewinner at state.
The bittersweet reflection of being so close provides a stark motivation.
“It was a really good experience, and I am excited to do it again,” he said. “I am just really excited to compete for my goal — win a state title.”
Dayne Serio, who has a 29-4 record this season, was a sectional qualifier as a freshman last season at 138. He finished 30-18.
With his older brother as his primary training partner, Dayne has made a leap this season as a sophomore by wrestling at 165.
“Last season, I didn’t practice with him as much and now I’m starting to go with him a little more,” Dayne said of Dominic. “I have been getting progressively better because of him.
“All of his wins and success just make me want to get even better.”
The 5-foot-11 Dayne is two inches taller than his older brother, but Dominic has a propulsive and electric style. He’s dominant on his feet and creates his own tempo.
Dayne utilizes his length for leverage and turns opponents on the bottom for points.
“Dominic is relentless on his feet and he never lets anybody breathe at all,” Dayne said. “He takes people down and cuts them. He’s been getting better at his top game.
“That’s my style. Once I take them down, just go to work and rack up a bunch of points on top.”
It’s as if the brothers have morphed and taken the best of each other’s strong suits.
“I feel like we both help each other every day in the room,” Dominic said. “Dayne has really learned how to clean up his technique. He can just ride people out on top.”
Their father Rob, a standout at Glenbard North, is an assistant coach for the Blackhawks. He also wrestled at Eastern Illinois.
“They’re both completely different kids,” Rob said. “It has taken them both to a higher place and made them get better. Dominic has the ability to score whenever he wants.
“Dayne has the attitude of just taking you down and turning you. He has gotten so much better on his feet, and I’m confident whenever he gets a takedown that he is going to win.”
Dayne, who is also an excellent baseball prospect, said his most significant development came from the excitement of seeing his brother wrestle at state.
“I feel like my mindset has just gotten so much better,” he said.
In the family hierarchy, their father has the best state credentials. Rob finished third in 1994 at 145 pounds in Class AA.
“We always say we want to really represent the Serio name and make sure people know that name,” Dayne said.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
