Paul Johnson’s top 10 wrestling teams and 25 wrestlers to watch in Aurora-Elgin area for the 2024-25 season

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Yorkville starts at the top, with Marmion, St. Charles East and West Aurora within striking distance.

Top 10 Teams

1. Yorkville (22-5)

The Foxes return four state placers in Luke Chrisse (190), Jack Ferguson (150), Ryder Janeczko (157) and Luke Zook (175). They took second in the Class 3A dual team state meet last season and will be looking for more.

2. Marmion (10-6)

The Cadets are loaded once again, featuring returning state champions in Nicholas Garcia (113) and Zach Stewart (138). Joey Favia (215) was a state runner-up and Ashton Hobson (144) was also a state placer. Demetrios Carrera (120) transferred in from South Elgin.

3. St. Charles East (24-1)

The Saints won the Class 3A dual team state meet two seasons ago and placed third last winter. Dom Munaretto (113) is a two-time world champion. Anthony Gutierrez (165) placed fourth at state last winter. Despite graduating four-time state champion Ben Davino, Saints are loaded again.

4. West Aurora (7-7)

Returning state qualifiers Evan Matkovich (126) and brothers Dayne Serio (165) and Dominic Serio (150) return for strong group. Sectional qualifier Dehmoni Dean (106) also returns as the Blackhawks get back this season to the Upstate Eight Conference.

5. Yorkville Christian (20-10)

Three-time medalist Aiden Larsen (113) is looking to add a state championship to his resume. State qualifier Robby Nelson (157) also returns as do a number of depth pieces. Mustangs sport a full lineup this season, looking to win another regional title.

6. Sandwich (23-17)

Sophomore state qualifiers Cooper Corder (138) and Colten Stone (126) return to lead Indians, who are coming off a regional title. They also return five sectional qualifiers and welcome a pair of freshmen to the lineup this season.

Yorkville’s Luke Chrisse, left, escapes from Mount Carmel’s Rylan Breen in the Class 3A dual team state meet at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / The Beacon-News)

7. Hampshire (11-5)

Whip-Purs bring back sectional qualifiers Mike Brannigan (157), Carter Hintz (215), Aidan Rowells (175) and Andrew Salmieri (120) for a team that went 7-2 last season in the Fox Valley Conference. Freshman Knox Homola (285) figures to make an immediate impact.

8. Batavia (2-9)

Ino Garcia took third place at 120 last season, but he graduated. The Bulldogs will be led by state qualifier Asher Sheldon (215) and sectional qualifiers Jack Duraski (132) and Dylan Wells (150) as they look to keep pace in the rugged DuKane Conference.

9. Bartlett (9-7)

The Hawks don’t return any state or sectional qualifiers, but they do have seven seniors from a team that took third last season in the Upstate Eight Conference. Bolstering those seniors is arguably the top wrestler on the team in sophomore Cameron Engels (132).

10. Streamwood (4-12)

Don’t let the record fool you, the Sabres have one of the best teams in program history. Seniors Gabe Inorio (175) and Jace Wolf (190) were both state qualifiers last season and Juan Cortes (150) just missed qualifying for state.

Dominic Serio

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.

Brian O'Mahoney / The Beacon-News

West Aurora’s Dominic Serio, left, takes down Marmion’s Santino Scolaro in the 145-pound bout during the Class 3A Marmion Regional finals in Aurora on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (Brian O’Mahoney / The Beacon-News)

The 25 Wrestlers to Watch

  • Demetrios Carrera, Marmion, junior, 120.
  • Jonah Chavez, Burlington Central, senior, 165.
  • Luke Chrisse, Yorkville, senior, 190.
  • Logan Conover, Marmion, sophomore, 106.
  • Cooper Corder, Sandwich, sophomore, 138.
  • Joey Favia, Marmion, junior, 215.
  • Jack Ferguson, Yorkville, senior, 150.
  • Nicholas Garcia, Marmion, junior, 113.
  • Anthony Gutierrez, St. Charles East, senior, 165.
  • Ashton Hobson, Marmion, junior, 144.
  • Ryder Janeczko, Yorkville, senior, 157.
  • Aiden Larsen, Yorkville Christian, senior, 113.
  • Evan Matkovich, West Aurora, junior, 126.
  • Dom Munaretto, St. Charles East, junior, 113.
  • Robby Nelson, Yorkville Christian, senior, 157
  • Mateusz Nycz, Marmion, senior, 285.
  • Joe Pettit, Geneva, senior, 215.
  • Dayne Serio, West Aurora, junior, 165.
  • Dominic Serio, West Aurora, senior, 150.
  • Asher Sheldon, Batavia, senior, 215.
  • Zach Stewart, Marmion, junior, 138.
  • Colten Stone, Sandwich, sophomore, 113.
  • Brayden Swanson, Oswego, senior, 138.
  • Jace Wolf, Streamwood, senior, 190.
  • Luke Zook, Yorkville, senior, 175.

Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.

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