ST. CHARLES • The 2025 DuKane Conference Wrestling Championships took center stage this past weekend at St. Charles North High School. For some individual wrestlers, it served as either a steppingstone or a barometer as they now turn their focus to the regional. For three-time defending DuKane team champions, St. Charles East, however, it turned out to be another conference coronation. For the now four-time consecutive conference champions, their title marks another achievement in their journey as they look ahead to the state series, but it also gives some time for individual reflection on what needs to be worked on moving forward.
Coming in second place to St. Charles East once again at the conference tournament was Glenbard North. The Panthers, who have had a competitive season, are still chasing the well-distanced Fighting Saints, but North, traditionally known for its grit, can now turn its attention to the regional and focus on advancing as many individuals as they can to the sectional. Winning a regional title may be a tall order for the Panthers this season, but they will be competitive.
Wheaton North advanced its program this past weekend as well, placing third overall. The Falcons had two champions in back-to-back weights, and their regional, the same as the Saints and Panthers, will be their focus moving forward.
Finally, claiming fourth place with four individual champions was Batavia. Back under the leadership of Tom Arlis, the Bulldogs look to be built in the form of individual championships that will ultimately equate to team titles. A strong showing for the program as they continually wrestle towards something more.
St. Charles East’s Crown
The Saints captured their team title due to a total team effort; however, strong individual performances led to individual titles as well:
- Dom Munaretto (120 pounds)
- Gavin Woodmancy (138 pounds)
- Logan Tatar (144 pounds)
- Anthony Gutierrez (165 pounds)
Still at the heart of the Saints is Dom Munaretto. The now three-time DuKane Conference champion can turn his attention to his team’s ambition of winning their regional and making a return trip to the Dual Team State Championships. Additionally, with an incredible regular season behind him, Munaretto can now focus his sights on claiming his second IHSA state championship.
In addition to Munaretto, and with his eyes to something more as an individual and as a team, is senior Anthony Gutierrez. Gutierrez has had a very strong regular season as well, and he has aspirations of his own individual state crown, as well as team success. However, like Munaretto, the regional must come first for both individual and team accolades to be awarded later. Look for Gutierrez and Munaretto to lead the charge for the Fighting Saints.
Overall, as a team, this weekend may have been another conference title for St. Charles East, but, moving forward, the Saints will most likely get back to work and emphasize the importance of refining their techniques as the team prepares to host their Regional.
Glenbard North’s Trio of Champions
Glenbard North secured second place, led by strong performances from one freshman and two senior wrestlers:
- Vannak Khiev (106 pounds)
- Kalani Khiev (126 pounds)
- Julian Holland (190 pounds)
Keeping the individual championship tradition alive for the Panthers this season has been the responsibility of brothers Vannak and Kalani Khiev, and they have not disappointed. The freshman and senior combination in the lower weights have been two of the brightest spots for the team, and each had podium aspirations.
In addition to the Khiev brothers, senior Julian Holland claimed a DuKane title of his own and can now use this moment as a springboard into the regional and the remainder of his season.
Notable Individual Achievements
- Joe Petit of Geneva won the 285-pound title with a dominant 7-0 decision over St. Charles East’s Matt Medina. Petit appears to be headed in the right direction moving into the state series.
- Ryan Rosch of Wheaton North claimed the 150-pound championship and continues to win titles and place himself near the top of every tournament he has entered.
- Thomas Fulton also dominated, but he did so at 157 pounds for the Falcons. Fulton may have the greatest opportunity for an individual medal for Wheaton North as he has consistently been a top placewinner throughout the course of the regular season. Look for Fulton to continue his winning ways and showcase his talents in champaign.
- Batavia, who exited the tournament with four individual champions of their own, showcased theirstrength and continued growth. Kai Enos triumphed at 113 pounds, edging Geneva’s Sammy Sikorsky in a thrilling 10-8 decision. Batavia also saw champions in Jack Duraski (132 pounds), Jack Brown (175 pounds), and Asher Sheldon (215 pounds).
Looking Ahead
Up next for each team will be different. Some will use the time off to rest and recover and hone their techniques, while others will compete and work to keep their competitive edges sharpened.
Five of the conference schools will be headed to the St. Charles East Regional: Glenbard North, Geneva, St. Charles East and North, and Wheaton North. They will be joined by Bartlett, DeKalb, and West Chiago. The top three will advance and move onto the Conant Individual Sectional on Friday and Saturday, February 14-15.
For Batavia and Wheaton-Warrenville South, they will head to the Marmion Academy Regional, they will then feed into the Hinsdale Central Sectional.
Here are the Team Scores from this past weekend:
01 • 281.5 • St. Charles East
02 • 250.5 • Glenbard North
03 • 208.5 • Wheaton North
04 • 194.0 • Batavia
05 • 119.5 • Wheaton Warrenville South
06 • 089.5 • Lake Park
07 • 074.5 • Geneva
08 • 039.0 • St. Charles North
Here is a look at the top four Individual Finishers from each weight class, as well as the results from the first and third place finals matches:
106 pounds
1st: Vannak Khiev (Glenbard North) • Fall, 3:09
2nd: Rocco Valvano (Wheaton-Warrenville South)
3rd: Danny Hyde (Wheaton North) • Fall, 1:56
4th: Nate Butcher (St. Charles East)
113 pounds
1st: Kai Enos (Batavia) • Dec, 10-8
2nd: Sammy Sikorsky (Geneva)
3rd: Declan Sons (St. Charles East) • Forfeit
4th: Bryce Mensik (Lake Park)
120 pounds
1st: Dom Munaretto (St. Charles East) • Fall, 1:09
2nd: Rocco Maciellaio (Wheaton North)
3rd: Isaac Velasco (Glenbard North) • Dec, 8-1
4th: Elias Chaney (Batavia)
126 pounds
1st: Kalani Khiev (Glenbard North) • Dec, 10-6
2nd: Liam Aye (St. Charles East)
3rd: Kyle Pasco (Batavia) • Fall, 4:28
4th: Luca Rutili (Lake Park)
132 pounds
1st: Jack Duraski (Batavia) • Injury Default
2nd: Sergio Hernandez (Lake Park)
3rd: Trey Thompson (Glenbard North) • MD, 10-2
4th: Andrew Wendt (Geneva)
138 pounds
1st: Gavin Woodmancy (St. Charles East) d Dec, 2-1
2nd: Nick Merola (Lake Park)
3rd: Jacob Veltri (Wheaton North) • Dec, 9-7
4th: Daniel Gonzalez (Batavia)
144 pounds
1st: Logan Tatar (St. Charles East) • TF, 18-3 (4:00)
2nd: Angelo Gatses (Glenbard North)
3rd: Andrew Langas (Wheaton North) • Dec, 15-12
4th: Brogan Sons (St. Charles North)
150 pounds
1st: Ryan Rosch (Wheaton North) • Dec, 7-2
2nd: Treshon Williams (Glenbard North)
3rd: Isaac Lenard (St. Charles East) • Fall, :31
4th: Liam O’Brien (St. Charles North)
157 pounds
1st: Thomas Fulton (Wheaton North) • Dec, 4-2
2nd: Ryan McGovern (St. Charles East)
3rd: Rylan Kradle (Glenbard North) d Dec, 12-6
4th: Chase Osborne (Batavia)
165 pounds
1st: Anthony Gutierrez (St. Charles East) • TF, 18-1 (3:43)
2nd: Julian Flores (Wheaton North)
3rd: Erik Esquivel (Glenbard North) • MD, 22-9
4th: Colin Peyton (Batavia)
175 pounds
1st: Jack Brown (Batavia) • TF, 16-1 (5:38)
2nd: Joseph Fitak (Glenbard North)
3rd: Abraham Leidig (St. Charles East) • MD, 9-1
4th: Lewis Vanderschoot (Wheaton North)
190 pounds
1st: Julian Holland (Glenbard North) • Fall, 1:27
2nd: Rocco Lobrillo (St. Charles East)
3rd: Mason Monce (Wheaton-Warrenville South) • Fall, 1:35
4th: Milo Saenz (Wheaton North)
215 pounds
1st: Asher Sheldon (Batavia) • Dec, 4-1
2nd: Cooper Murray (St. Charles East)
3rd: Tyler Hvorick (Glenbard North) • MD, 13-5
4th: Nick Tortoriello (Wheaton North)
285 pounds
1st: Joseph Pettit (Geneva) • Dec, 7-0
2nd: Matt Medina (St. Charles East)
3rd: Ashton Kibbe (Wheaton-Warrenville South) • Fall, 1:45
4th: Carl Givens (Wheaton North)
• TC LIFONTI / LEAD WRITER FOR ILLINOIS MATMEN / tclifonti.com
