Patrick McGavin

West Aurora's Dominic Serio takes down Marmion's Santino Scolaro for the championship at the 145 pounds during the Class 3A Marmion Regional in Aurora on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023.

Dominic and Dayne Serio push each other for West Aurora. And their dad raised the bar. ‘Get even better.’

January 29, 2024 at 5:17 p.m.

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,...

Yorkville junior Jack Ferguson captured the 150-pound championship of the Southwest Prairie Conference Meet at Joliet Central on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024.

Coming from a wrestling family, Jack Ferguson understands the score for Yorkville. ‘It’s all you out there.’

January 22, 2024 at 5:22 p.m.

If the past is prelude, Yorkville junior Jack Ferguson was fortunate to overcome his earliest wrestling experience. Literally born into the sport through his family connections, his first foray was...

St. Charles East senior Tyler Guerra, an Indiana commit, is 35-1 after winning the 138-pound championship of the Illini Classic at Lincoln-Way Central on Saturday, January 13, 2024.

Indiana recruit Tyler Guerra loves the challenge for St. Charles East. ‘It’s just something I was born with.’

January 18, 2024 at 3:55 a.m.

St. Charles East senior Tyler Guerra loves manufacturing a conflict. The fun part, for him, is working through the particulars and learning how to transcend any obstacles or limitations in...

Batavia senior Ino Garcia, a two-time state placer, finished third at 120 pounds in the Clint Arlis Invitational at Batavia on Saturday, January 13, 2024.

Batavia’s Ino Garcia, a two-time state placer, turns into medal collector. His new hobby? ‘I bought a forge.’

January 15, 2024 at 5:33 p.m.

Batavia senior Ino Garcia likes to collect things, but his habits are atypical of a teenager. How atypical? Check this out. "Video games are a great distraction — I like...

Bartlett's Emma Engels, top, works against Oak Forest's Alex Sebek in the 100-pound championship bout of the girls wrestling state meet at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023.

Emma Engels is already a state champion for Bartlett. She has a new teammate. Her brother, Cameron. ‘It’s nice.’

January 8, 2024 at 5:38 p.m.

With family history hanging in the balance, Bartlett freshman Cameron Engels came up with the ultimate assist. He took over the filming of his older sister Emma's victory in the...

Marmion's Joey Favia, right, wrestles against Mount Carmel in a 215-pound match during a Catholic League quadrangular in Chicago on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

Headliner Joey Favia fills gap for Marmion with injury to Northwestern recruit Jack Lesher. ‘He’s my mentor.’

January 4, 2024 at 4:30 a.m.

A year ago, Marmion's Joey Favia received the perfect initiation for instant success. As a freshman, Favia ended up with his daily training partner being none other than Jack Lesher,...

Mount Carmel's Eddie Enright, left, tosses Marmion's Christian Favia to the mat during a Catholic League quadrangular in Chicago on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

After taking second, Northwestern recruit Eddie Enright finds another gear for Mount Carmel. ‘Pushing myself.’

January 4, 2024 at 3:45 a.m.

Few things sharpen the mind more than what Mount Carmel's Eddie Enright experienced. Last February, Enright stood one place beneath the top rung, finishing in second place at 152 pounds...

Oak Forest's DeShawn Nolan (3) goes up for a layup as Providence's Kyle Lipke (1) and Zach Ford (4) defend during nonconference game in New Lenox on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023.

Stay or go. Shoot or drive. With his speed, DeShawn Nolan faces choices for Oak Forest. ‘I like that freedom.’

December 23, 2023 at 3:56 a.m.

At a crucial moment, Oak Forest's DeShawn Nolan always has an ace up his sleeve. The 5-foot-11 senior guard can flip the switch and use his jet-speed quickness off the...

Sandburg's David Vargas (10) drives to the basket against Oak Lawn's Donte Montgomery (5) during a nonconference game in Oak Lawn on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023.

From his first two shots at Oak Lawn, Sandburg’s Ryan Tomczak knew. He just knew. ‘Everything felt right.’

December 20, 2023 at 4:52 a.m.

It barely took a minute for Sandburg's Ryan Tomczak to grasp the gravity of the moment. The 6-foot-1 senior guard made two 3-pointers on his first two attempts, and that...

Yorkville senior Ben Alvarez, a defending state champion, went 4-2 in finishing fifth at 215 pounds in the Al Dvorak Invitational at Harlem on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023.

Yorkville’s Ben Alvarez comes to grips with being a defending state champion. ‘Leaving the past in the past.’

December 18, 2023 at 8:18 p.m.

Yorkville senior Ben Alvarez had an existential dilemma to work out. Entering his final season for the Foxes, the Harvard football recruit had to act as if the greatest individual...

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