TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Marmion: A top threat to win state in Class 3A, the Cadets feature versatility, depth and high-end individual talent. Defending state champion Jameson Garcia (126) returns along with Jack Lesher (182), who took fourth, and Collin Carrigan (152), who was fifth.
2. St. Charles East: Defending state champion Ben Davino (126), who finished 37-1, leads a stacked lineup of five returning state qualifiers. Tyler Guerra (138), Gavin Connolly (152), Brody Murray (182) and Austin Barrett (285) balance the lineup. Guerra took third last season, while Montini transfer Jayden Colon (145) captured a Class 2A state title.
3. Yorkville: Ben Alvarez (220) and Hunter Janeczko (195) lead a powerhouse lineup with six returning state qualifiers. Foxes are superb in lower weights with Dominic Recchia (113), Jack Ferguson (120) and Dom Coronado (126). Alvarez finished 46-7 last season, while Janeczko went 35-6, Recchia 27-16, Ferguson 33-10 and Coronado 25-9.
4. Batavia: State finalist Kaden Fetterolf (138) leads a solid nucleus of four returning state finalists. Ino Garcia (113), Aidan Huck (126), and Cael Andrews (145) are the standouts. Fetterolf took second last season and Garcia fourth. Sydney Perry, the defending state champion, is one of the best female wrestlers in the country.
5. Yorkville Christian: Defending Class 1A state champion features Jackson Gillen (170), Tyler Martinez (160), Noah Dial (132) and Drew Torza (152). Gillen won the individual state title last season and Martinez took third. Highly regarded Ty Edwards (120), a state finalist two seasons ago, returns from an injury.
6. Naperville Central: State qualifier Ethan Olson (126) a conference and regional champion, went 29-7 last season for Redhawks. Sectional qualifiers Tyler Martin (113) and Mitchell Kaszuba (132) are the other top returnees.
7. Aurora Christian: Class 2A state power returns three all-staters in Deven Casey (113), Josh Vasquez (120) and Braden Hunter (285). Casey and Hunter took third last season and Vasquez fourth. Taythan Silva (160) also returns.
8. West Aurora: Blackhawks have skill, lineup versatility and depth. Noah Quintana (160), who finished 40-8 record last season, is the top returnee. Dominic Serio (145), who went 39-8, also is back along with Robert Wyland (113) and Francisco Solis (170).
9. Sandwich: A state quarterfinalist in Class 1A as a team, Indians feature returning sectional qualifiers Ashlyn Strenz (113), Kadin Kern (120), Miles Corder (126) and Nolan Bobee (152).
10. Naperville North: Huskies return eight starters, led by standouts Ben Messier (113), Aiden Hinkle (120), Tyler Sternstein (126), Grant Gentile (152) and Kai Goodrick (160).
25 WRESTLERS TO WATCH
Ben Alvarez, Yorkville, junior, 220 pounds; Cael Andrews, Batavia, senior, 145; Collin Carrigan, Marmion, junior, 152; Deven Casey, Aurora Christian, sophomore, 113; Jayden Colon, St. Charles East, senior, 145; Ben Davino, St. Charles East, junior, 126; Alex Diaz, Plano, senior, 285; Dominic Ducato, Jacobs, senior, 113; Tyler Edwards, Yorkville Christian, junior, 120; Jack Ferguson, Yorkville, sophomore, 120; Kaden Fetterolf, Batavia, senior, 138; Ino Garcia, Batavia, junior, 106; Jameson Garcia, Marmion, senior, 126; Tyler Guerra, St. Charles East, junior, 132; Jackson Gillen, Yorkville Christian, senior, 170; Braden Hunter, Aurora Christian, senior, 285; Cruz Ibarra, Oswego, senior, 195; Hunter Janeczko, Yorkville, senior, 195; Porter Leith, Dundee-Crown, senior, 195; Jack Lesher, Marmion, junior, 182 pounds; Tyler Martinez, Yorkville Christian, senior, 160; Ethan Olson, Naperville Central, 126; Sydney Perry, Batavia, junior, 145; Noah Quintana, West Aurora, junior, 145; Dominic Serio, West Aurora, sophomore, 145.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
