Some of the biggest names in Illinois high school wrestling will take the mat on October 17 when Test of the Best returns to IC Catholic Prep for its seventh annual event.
The concept behind Test of the Best has always been simple: forget classifications and put the best wrestlers in Illinois on the mat against each other.
This year’s card delivers exactly that.
The lineup features IHSA state champions, state finalists, state medalists and some of the fastest-rising young wrestlers in Illinois, with competitors representing Classes 1A, 2A and 3A.
MAIN EVENT: 120 Caleb Noble vs. Wesley Janick
One of the most anticipated matches of the entire event comes at 120 pounds when Caleb Noble of Warren meets Wesley Janick of Marquette Academy.
This is exactly the type of matchup Test of the Best was created to produce: state champion versus state champion, 3A versus 1A.
Noble has established himself as one of the premier wrestlers in Illinois. He won the 2024 Class 3A state championship at 106 pounds and added another state title in 2026, going 46-1 and defeating Montini’s Erik Klichurov 4-0 in the 113-pound championship match.
Across from him will be Janick, who put together one of the great freshman state-tournament runs of 2026. After having to battle through the consolation side of the Byron Sectional just to qualify for Champaign, Janick caught fire at the State Farm Center. He reached the Class 1A 120-pound final and dominated Weston Frazier 10-0 to become Marquette Academy’s first IHSA individual state champion, finishing his freshman season 35-4.
Noble brings championship experience and a proven track record against elite competition. Janick brings youth, confidence and the momentum of a breakout freshman season.
Two state champions. Two classifications. One mat. Noble vs. Janick has all the ingredients to be the signature bout of Test of the Best 2026.
106 — Mike Bird vs. Rocco Valvano
The card starts with another intriguing matchup as Mike Bird of IC Catholic Prep takes on Rocco Valvano of Wheaton Warrenville South.
