CHAMPAIGN • The wait is finally over and the first whistle of the last individual tournament of the season is almost here. The IHSA State Championships have finally arrived, and with it comes a variety of special moments for the wrestlers, the coaches, the families, and the communities.
Along with these moments, there are going to be some incredible feats, some incredible matchups, and some incredible upsets, and that is why the fans come to watch. No doubt there will be booing, chanting, hollering, cheering, and gasps of possibility as the seemingly impossible is about to become possible. Overall, there is just nothing like these next three days inside of the State Farm Center come mid-February.
Mendoza’s push for four
In Illinois, the 3A classification is loaded with stars; however, none shine brighter than Seth Mendoza of Chicago (Mt. Carmel). The senior Mizzou commit is about to embark on his final IHSA Individual State Championship, and he is on the brink of making history—this weekend Mendoza will go for his fourth Illinois state title.
Over the past four years, for those who have taken the time, they have watched Mendoza not only win but do so with class and precision.
His technique is seemingly flawless, his strength is possibly underrated, and what he is about to accomplish has been done in the quiet humility of a young man who simply goes out and wrestles hard in every match in front of him. He is not flashy; he is not one to parade around; he loves his team and can be seen rooting them on; and he is not one to draw attention to himself. He is simply a winner, and those in attendance this weekend will have the opportunity to see someone who has been a great representative for Illinois pursuing his fourth state crown.
As for Mendoza’s competition in the 138-pound weight, it can be found in several places where guys chose not to cut down to 132 or bump up to 144; the wrestlers in this bracket chose to wrestle the weight regardless of where Mendoza was going to wrestle.
In no specific order, the number one seed in this bracket is Thomas Silva from Rockton (Hononegah). With a 38-3 record and having placed second as a freshman and a junior, winning a title as a sophomore, Silva has seen a great deal and has that champion mindset. But if he squares off against Mendoza, will he be able to find a way to slow him down and find his offense? If anyone can, Silva certainly has the talent and confidence to do so.
On the number two-seeded Mendoza’s bottom half of the bracket, he may face Drew Fifield of Fremd in the semifinals, or possibly Jospeh Knackstedt of Oak Park-River Forest. These two are most likely to wrestle in the quarterfinal round, but there are no guarantees.
Throughout the next three days, be sure to make time for a Mendoza match prior to the anticipated finals match he is likely to be part of. Take a moment to just watch an Illinois great walk out and wrestle, and then exit the mat, only to come back the next round and wrestle again with the same focus and exactitude.
The Marist-go-round
For the first time in a long time, Marist is in the Dual Team State Championship series, and with it, they are bringing quite the team of seniors. However, before the number one ranked team in the state takes on the number two team in the state at the Dual Team Sectional Championships, this collection of great individual wrestlers will have an individual light shone upon them inside of the State Farm Center this weekend.
For starters, the number one ranked wrestler in the country, not just in Illinois, Will Denny, will take his 38-1 record into the 165-pound weight and look to come away with his second state title. Denny, who was Top Eight as a freshman and fourth as a sophomore, has found his championship ways, and he is looking to put them on display once again this weekend in Champaign.
Originally, Denny was going to wrestle at 157 pounds, but he wanted to challenge himself, and challenge himself he will. At 165 he has already proven that he is the guy to beat after he defeated the original number one ranked wrestler in Anthony Gutierrez of St. Charles (East).
Included in this bracket will be the likes of the two seeded and 42-6 senior Gutierrez, as well as the 15-1 sophomore Brody Sendele of Rockton (Hononegah) who placed third last season at 157 pounds; Sendele is the three seed.
Also on the bottom of the bracket is a very tough Tommy McDermot from Bolingbrook, a brawler in Jalen Byrd of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way Central), and West Aurora’s Dayne Serio who is just as physical as he is technical.
Up top, Denny will have to contend with the likes of Royce Lopes of Gurnee (Warren), Sean Kolkebeck of DeKalb, or even Luke Hamiti of Joliet (Catholic Academy). So, if Denny was looking for a challenge, he came to the right weight.
Joining Denny and in the running for titles of their own will be Michael Esteban at 126 pounds, George Marinopoulos at 132, Donovan Allen at 144, and Rickey Ericson at 190.
Esteban and Ericson were in the Grand March last year, but each fell short of his goal as being a state champion. This year, however, their sights are set higher, and their team success has certainly played into their confidence.
Donavon Allen, who placed third last season at 138 pounds has his eyes on an individual title as well, and even though George Marinopoulos has yet to wrestle past the Blood Round, he has shown that he can hang with the best wrestlers at his weight, and maybe the floor in the State Farm Center is where it will all come together for him.
Marist is here in full force and fans will look onto the mats and see what appears to be a carrousel of RedHawks moving in and out of the tunnel and onto the mats.
Two Stewarts walk onto a mat
Last season two sophomores, Zach Stewart of Aurora (Marmion Academy) and Aaron Stewart of Gurnee (Warren), won their first state championship.
For Zach Stewart, his title came at 138 pounds; for Aaron Stewart, his title came at 175 pounds. Currently each Stewart comes into this tournament with two losses on the season, and each comes into the tournament looking to repeat.
Zach Stewart’s 144-pound bracket has him on the bottom of the bracket with a 30-2 record. After what should be an opening round advancement, he will most likely face Maksim Mukhamedaliyev of Arlington Heights (Hersey). Mukhamedaliyev, a senior who has placed sixth and third, will have to find a way past Stewart if he is going to have an opportunity to make his first finals.
From there, Stewart could see either Oswego’s Brayden Swanson or Frank Nitti of Elmhurst (York) in the semifinals.
On the top of the bracket, a very good Evan Gosz from Palatine (Fremd) sits in the one seed. Gosz, who placed third as a freshman and a sophomore, and second last season as a junior, is the mix for a title of his own, of course, he will have to earn his way to the final.
For a possible quarterfinal matchup, he will have to face Marist’s Donavon Allen. In the bottom half of the upper bracket also sits Ryan Hinger of Orland Park (Sandburg) and possibly Kaidge Richardson of Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) who will come out as the semifinalist as well.
A great deal of wrestling and winning will have to take place before these finals, but Zach Stewart, the Purdue commit, has one advantage: he has already climbed the mountain and knows how to not only get there, but how to win.
As for Aaron Stewart’s path to a second title, he will have to wrestle through a few solid opponents on his side of the 175-pound bracket, and then do what he does best in the finals, be explosive and unmanageable.
Arguably, Aaron Stewart may not be challenged until the semifinals where he will face either Luke Zook of Yorkville or Fabian Ramirez of Elgin.
Zook has strung together a nice career with two state medals already in hand, but he is looking for that special medal that comes with a bracket board.
Ramirez, who is also in the middle of a great season, could be the bracket buster in this setup. Either way, if Stewart wrestles himself back into the finals, as most expect, he will probably have to contend with either RJ Robinson of Homewood (Homewood-Flossmoor) or Henry Rydwelski of Naperville (Central) or even Connor Diemel of Rockton (Hononegah).
Correll’s chase for perfection
Three wrestlers will step onto the mat Thursday who are undefeated. Come Saturday night, each will be looking to remain perfect as their picture is taken with a state championship bracket board in front of them.
At 113 pounds, and someone who has been beyond impressive and dominant all season, is 45-0 Caden Correll of Normal (Community). After finishing fifth as a sophomore and a junior at 106 pounds, is this Correll’s year?
Now, due to the IHSA point system used, Correll has been awarded the number three seed in his bracket, even though he has a head-to-head win over sophomore Caleb Noble of Gurnee (Warren), the state champion a year ago at 106 pounds, who has the one seed. At the two seed is senior Rocco Hayes from Orland Park (Sandburg), and he also has a loss on the season, a 3-2 tiebreaker loss to Noble.
Noble, whose record is 40-2, but who only has one loss in Illinois this season with that loss being to Correll, 13-8, has substantially more “points” than Correll. Hayes, who has one loss on his season, a 3-2 tiebreaker loss to Noble, also has more “points” than Correll. So, what does all this mean? Nothing. It means absolutely nothing other than regular season matches between the top three wrestlers in the state that were won by one wrestler and lost by another and an capricious point system that everyone knows does not work. That is all it means.
Here is the reality: Correll has proven that he can beat the best wrestlers and do so in a dominant, high pace, and physical manner. Noble is a performer, and his best matches come on the largest of stages. He is a proven winner locally and nationally and, when the lights are brightest, he is simply amazing. And Hayes, Hayes is a grinder surrounded by an abundance of finesse. Hayes will hustle and use phenomenal techniques and wrestling guile. Hands down, these three are the top three wrestlers in the bracket.
Noble will have to contend with a few possibilities at the top of the bracket, but the semifinals on the bottom half look to come down to Correll and Hayes. Stay tuned as Noble looks to repeat, as Carrell looks to remain perfect, and as Hayes looks to add another bracket board in a house full of titles.
Calcutt’s perfect season
Kai Calcutt of Wilmette (Loyola Academy) will step onto the IHSA mats with a 34-0 record, the number one seed at 215 pounds, and as the returning state champion who has pretty much had his way with his opponents this season.
As far as competition, it is always difficult to predict, but most likely on Calcutt’s upper half of the bracket, he will face Asher Sheldon from Batavia in the semifinals.
On the bottom half, the potential finalist will be either Jospeh Favia of Aurora (Marmion Academy), last year’s state runner-up to Calcutt, or Charles Walker of Joliet (Central) or Caleb Baczek of Libertyville. Each one of these wrestlers has the ability to advance.
Regardless, Calcutt’s style of wrestling is fast and explosive, and he is able to put up big points in big chunks for a big guy. He will be a great follow as he chases down a perfect season.
Munaretto and Garcia
Dom Munaretto of St. Charles (East) and Nicholas Garcia of Aurora (Marmion Academy) had one of the best matches this season at the Loffredo Duals in Fox Lake. And even though many would like to see each of these state champions go at it again, they are now on separate paths as Munaretto will look to win his second title at 120 pounds, while Gracia will look to earn his second crown at 126 pounds.
For someone to be able to defeat Munaretto, the question becomes more about who can handle his pace and physical style of wrestling? If that wrestler is out there, then could Munaretto be shut out of a second title for a second straight year?
In his upper half of the bracket, he could possibly be tested early with a slick and physical wrestler in Ismael Chaidez of Lombard (Glenbard East). Chaidez’s only 3A loss came last weekend at the sectional, but other than that, does he have what it takes?
On the bottom half of the upper bracket it could be anyone from Anthony Orozco of Arlington Heights (Hersey), Colton Wyller of Aurora (Marmion Academy), or possibly even Rocco Macellaio of Wheaton (Warrenville South) or Chazz Robinson from Homewood (Homewood-Flossmoor) that meets up with Munaretto in the semifinals.
On the bottom half, Ryan Dom of Barrington, Kavel Moore of Chicago (Mt. Carmel) or even Brady Phelps of Schaumburg, who is already a three-time state medalist, or Jamiel Castleberry of Oak Park (Oak Park-River Forest) could come out as a finalist.
In Garcia’s bracket, he is second seed to Carol Stream (Glenbard North) senior Kalani Khiev. With a 21-1 record, Garcia’s IHSA points did not provide him with enough for a one seed; however, he will be the wrestler everyone is looking to defeat.
As for a possible finalist from the bracket’s top half, it could be a semifinal clash between Khiev and Marist’s Michael Esteban.
Regarding who Garcia may have to contend with, it could be either the junior from Fox Lake (Grant) Vince Jasinski, or Joliet (Catholic Academy) junior Jason Hampton. Last season, Hampton was the state runner-up at 120 pounds, so he has the experience and the wherewithal to wrestle himself back to the semifinals and even the finals.
In the end, Garcia’s second title will come down to his defense and his health. With only 22 matches on the season, Garcia’s conditioning may not be at its best; however, where Garcia is exceptionally strong is his insane confidence and his ability to keep opponents off the scoreboard when they are in need of points with his ability to defend from any position.
Looking to take the next step
Justin Wardlow out of Lockport (Township) has been a two-time state runner-up, and this year, as he moves up to 150 pounds, his hope is to take the next step and claim that state title.
As a freshman, he lost to Massey Odiotti of Wilmette (Loyola Academy) when he had to medically forfeit out. And last season, Wardlow lost a tight 6-3 decision to Zach Stewart.
The 42-3 junior will be looking to make his mark this season, and he will be a good wrestler to follow throughout the tournament.
Two sophomores that are always exciting to watch are Bruno and Rocco Cassioppi out of Rockton (Hononegah).
Last season Rocco finished second at 106 pounds, and Bruno placed third at 113. This year, Rocco enters the 132 field with a 43-2 record and a chip on his shoulder. As for Bruno, after suffering an injury early in the season, he has qualified at 150 pounds and enters the State Farm Center with a 9-0 record.
Moving up considerable weight this season, it will be interesting to see how the feisty Cassioppi brothers fight their way to what each hope is a state title.
At 157 pounds, senior Jack Ferguson of Yorkville is in position to make good on his number one ranking with a state title. In his way will be Ethan Sonne of Chicago (Marist), Liam Kelly of Chicago (Mt. Carmel), Radic Dvorak of Huntley, and Dominic Serio of West Aurora.
This weight offers a number of possible champions, and once the quarterfinals are called, pay attention to which wrestler is in a stride grater than the next.
Finally, the biggest man in Illinois, Jonathan Rulo out of Belleville (East) will be looking to cap off a perfect season of his own at heavyweight. In the past two years, Rulo has placed second and third, but this season he has made it clear that he is far and away the best heavyweight. Look for the big man to make some big noise and claim what he has been chasing.
Looking at some credentials
Here is a list of some of the wrestlers to keep tabs on during the tournament. They have been organized according to their weight class. The records provided are the wrestler’s record through the Individual State Championships.
106 / Maddux Garbis, Sr. • Plainfield (North) • 33-2
2024 • 113, 4th (44-5)
2023 • 106, 6th (42-5)
113 / Caden Correll, Sr. • Normal (Community) • 45-0
2024 • 106, 5th (39-7)
2023 • 106, 5th (51-2)
113 / Caleb Noble, So. • Gurnee (Warren) • 40-2
2024 • 106, 1st (42-3)
113 / Rocco Hayes, Sr. • Orland Park (Sandburg) • 42-1
2024 . 106, 3rd (49-2)
2023 . 106, 3rd (41-7)
2022 . 106, SQ (27-14)
113 / Kaleb Pratt, So. • Barrington • 21-4
2024 • 106, 6th (36-14)
120 / Dom Munaretto, Jr. • St. Charles (East) • 47-1
2024 • 113, 2nd (47-3)
2023 • 106, 1st (50-00)
120 / Brady Phelps, Sr. • Schaumburg • 39-4
2024 • 120, 4th (25-4)
2023 • 113, 5th (40-2)
2022 • 106, 6th (30-6)
120 / Jamiel Castleberry, So. • Oak Park (Oak Park-River Forest) • 27-5
2024 • 106, 4th (33-3) • Hillside Proviso West
126 / Nicholas Garcia, Jr. • Aurora (Marmion Academy) • 21-1
2024 • 113, 1st (45-7)
2023 • 106, 4th (28-6)
126 / Michael Esteban, Sr. • Chicago (Marist) • 32-7
2024 • 126, 2nd (35-9)
2023 • 120, SQ (29-14)
2022 • 113, 6th (36-13)
126 / Jason Hampton, Jr. • Joliet (Catholic Academy) • 37-11
2024 • 120, 2nd (33-16)
2023 • 113, 4th (39-10) • 2A
126 / Kalani Khiev, Sr. • Carol Stream (Glenbard North) • 42-3
2024 • 120, 5th (37-8)
2023 • 113, SQ (39-10)
2022 • 106, SQ (29-12)
132 / Rocco Cassioppi, So. • Rockton (Hononegah) • 43-2
2024 • 106, 2nd (43-4)
132 / George Marinopoulos, Sr. • Chicago (Marist) • 36-6
2024 • 120, T8 (37-9)
2023 • 106, T8 (32-16)
2022 • 106, SQ (31-12)
132/ Justin Williamson, So. • Chicago (Mt. Carmel) • 15-7
2024 • 113, 6th (32-12)
132 / Tyson Zvonar, Sr. • Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) • 39-7
2024 • 132, SQ (38-10)
2023 • 126, SQ (25-9)
2022 • 120, SQ (35-9)
138 / Seth Mendoza (32-1), Sr. • Chicago (Mt. Carmel) • 32-1
2022 • 106, 1st (39-2)
2023 • 113, 1st (37-2)
2024 • 126, 1st (42-2)
138 / TJ Silva, Sr. • Rockton (Hononegah) • 38-3
2024 • 132, 2nd (28-5)
2023 • 126, 1st (38-2) • Dakota, 1A
2022 • 132, 2nd (35-7) • Dakota, 1A
144 / Evan Gosz (43-2), Sr. • Palatine (Fremd) • 43-2
2024 • 144, 2nd (37-1)
2023 • 126, 3rd (43-2)
2022 • 113, 3rd (42-4)
144 / Donovan Allen, Sr. • Chicago (Marist) • 27-6
2024 • 138, 3rd (35-7)
2023 • 132, SQ (32-12)
2022 • 120, SQ (16-6) • Chicago (St. Rita), 2A
144 / Zach Stewart, Jr. • Aurora (Marmion Academy) • 30-2
2024 • 138, 1st (30-8)
2023 • 120, T8 (32-6)
144 / Maksim Mukhamedaliyev, Sr. • Arlington Heights (Hersey) • 41-7
2024 • 132, 3rd (36-4)
2023 • 126, 6th (37-17)
150 / Justin Wardlow, Jr. • Lockport (Township) • 42-3
2024 • 138, 2nd (42-7)
2023 • 120, 2nd (41-13)
150 / Bruno Cassioppi, So. • Rockton (Hononegah) • 9-0
2024 • 113, 3rd (38-5)
150 / Carson Weber, Sr. • Joliet (West) • 40-6
2024 • 144, 3rd (38-1)
2023 • 126, T8 (40-4)
2022 • 106, T8 (35-9)
150 / Callen Kirchner, Sr. • Schaumburg • 42-6
2024 • 144, SQ (34-10)
2022 • 113, SQ (30-10)
150 / Jairo Acuna, Sr. • Chicago (Mt. Carmel) • 17-7
2024 • 144, T8 (31-13)
2023 • 126, SQ (15-6)
2022 • 120, SQ (23-16)
157 / Liam Kelly, Sr. • Chicago (Mt. Carmel) • 30-5
2024 • 150, SQ (29-13)
2023 • 138, T8 (22-12)
157 / Jack Ferguson, Sr. • Yorkville • 47-2
2024 • 150, 5th (44-12)
2023 • 132, T8 (40-11)
2022 • 113, SQ (33-9)
165 / Will Denny, Sr. • Chicago (Marist) • 38-1
2024 • 150, 1st (42-4)
2023 • 145, 4th (27-8)
2022 • 120, T8 (30-11)
165 / Brody Sendele, So. • Rockton (Hononegah) • 15-1
2024 • 157, 3rd (47-3)
165 / Anthony Gutierrez, Sr. • St. Charles (East) • 42-6
2024 • 165, 4th (38-12)
2023 • 160, 6th (28-12)
175 / Aaron Stewart, Jr. • Gurnee (Warren) • 39-2
2024 • 157, 1st (43-2)
2023 • 152, 3rd (43-2)
175 / Luke Zook, Sr. • Yorkville • 45-3
2024 • 175, 5th (48-6)
2023 • 170, 3rd (44-8)
2022 • 152, SQ (35-11)
190 / Ricky Ericksen, Sr. • Chicago (Marist) • 33-7
2024 • 175, 2nd (31-11)
2023 • 160, SQ (30-9)
2022 • 145, SQ (36-11)
190 / Nico Ronchetti, Sr. • Joliet (Catholic Academy) • 35-6
2024 • 190, 6th (34-12)
2023 • 182, 2nd (32-17)
215 / Kai Calcutt, Jr. • Wilmette (Loyola Academy) • 34-0
2024 • 215, 1st (31-4)
2023 • 220, 2nd (40-9)
285 / Jonathan Rulo, Jr. • Belleville (East) • 31-0
2024 • 285, 3rd (36-1)
2023 • 285, 2nd (34-2)
• TC LIFONTI / LEAD WRITER FOR ILLINOIS MATMEN / tclifonti.com
