Marmion snares its 2nd straight 3A crown
By Mike Garofola for the IWCOA
Marmion Academy claimed its second consecutive class 3A state title after its 36-22 defeat of Montini Catholic in Bloomington at this year’s IHSA dual team state finals.
The win inside Grossinger Motors Arena on Feb. 28 also earned Marmion its seventh state trophy in program history.
“The goal for this group since the day we won our first title here a year ago was to repeat as state champions,” Cadets head coach, Anthony Cirrincione said.
“The guys wrestled the toughest schedule an Illinois team has ever faced, and I do not know if that’s even debatable. We snapped multi-year unbeaten streaks from the best team in Wisconsin (Kaukauna), Iowa’s best team (SE Polk) and battled perennial super teams St. Ed’s (Ohio) and Wyoming Seminary.”
The Cadets would win its own prestigious Cadet Classic at the start of the season, the Donnybrook, Jack Mendenhall in Iowa, and the CCL.
“This is the best team that I’ve ever been around, they are so close, and if you could have seen the celebration Saturday night after the finals, you would have seen the entire team sitting and eating at a table for eight,” Cirrincione said. “It epitomized our program – these young men are family, and truly a special group.”
3A QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Marmion 39, Joliet Catholic Academy 24
The knock-out phase of this year’s Elite Eight began in earnest on Friday with two of the four quarterfinals settled quite easily. The marquee match of this first session was easily Marmion versus Joliet Catholic Academy.
No. 1 against No. 2 at the time, this was a quarterfinal that could have been avoided if the IHSA were to seed the final eight, and not use the predetermined schematic that has coaches and fans alike left scratching their heads both at the individual and dual-team tournaments.
Nonetheless, the show must go on – and it did, between two high-powered clubs with too many stars to name. The Cadets have a veteran lineup that featured three state champions, seven others who claimed state medals, and six major team titles on the season.
In contrast, the Hilltoppers (15-2-0) are a much younger side, with just Jason Hampton and Nolan Vogel the lone two seniors.
As expected, this contest would be close through the early stages, although the Hilltoppers never held an advantage, and would be closest (11-9) when Vogel (165) and Vince Skedel (175) nearly erased the t-fall and pin from the Marmion’s opening duo of Zach Stewart (144) and Ashton Hobson at 150.
“We had a lot of respect for them so we all knew we had to be at our best, and do the job we came here for,” said Hobson, second a week ago at state to earn the third state medal of a terrific career.
Joseph Favia (285), Colton Wyller (106) and James Morrison (113) would fuel a 14-0 run by the Cadets to extend Marmion’s advantage to 31-17.
Finn McDermott (120) and Lucas Foster (126) would draw the Hilltoppers closer at 31-18 with a pair of decisions, but Marmion state champions and seniors Nicholas Garcia (138) and Demetrios Carrera (144) were on deck, and that’s where Marmion clinched the dual.
The Garcia-Carrera duo would add eight points on the scoreboard, with junior Adante Washington awarded a forfeit at 150 to end this contest at 39-24.
“It’s too bad we had to meet (Marmion) in the quarterfinals, and really tough to see a terrific season end so soon,” began Hilltoppers head coach, Ryan Cumbee.
“It was 8-6 and maybe there were 1-2 matches we could have won, but bonus points, as always, really came into play, and that’s where they had a decided edge tonight. But we had a wonderful season, met so many of our goals, and enjoyed some memorable individual and team results as well.
“We lost tonight to the better team, a team and program that has a lot of class and shows great sportsmanship.”
Hobson summed up his side in short order:
“Our lineup is built to win, and with each time we go out, we compete for each other, with the expectation to win,” he said.
Oak Park and River Forest 33, Barrington 31
No. 9 Oak Park-River Forest would enjoy a modicum of success during its weekend schedule on the season, saving its best result at its own regional where the Huskies lifted the championship trophy.
Later, the Huskies would thrash Conant to advance in the final weekend of the season for the 14th time in program history.
Awaiting the OPRF was MSL champion Barrington (16-9-0), which advanced downstate for the seventh time, and first since 2020 when the Broncos would finish third overall.
This 64-point thriller had a little bit of everything as its kept the fans on edge, with the lead changing hands on six occasions.
The dual was tied at 4-4, 10-10, and 13-13, before the Huskies would take a 18-13 lead following a tech-fall by Pierre Nelson at 285.
The two clubs would trade wins to make it a 30-22 game after OPRF state champion Jamiel Castleberry recorded a pin at 126-pounds.
However, a key major-decision (13-3) from Barrington’s Saul Ramirez (132) followed by a tech-fall by Ryan Dorn, who placed fifth at 138 in Champaign, allowed the Broncos to go into the final match of the contest with a slim 31-30 advantage.
Trailing 1-0 after the second period, and 2-0 in the waning moments, OPRF’s Zev Koransky would execute a take-down two seconds from time over Barrington’s Jimmy Whitaker.
The dramatic 3-2 triumph would guarantee the ninth team state trophy in OPRF program history in a 33-31 victory.
“It’s the first time in my career that I’ve beaten Whitaker, so this was a perfect time to win,” said an exhausted Koransky, who earlier lost to the Broncos senior, 16-6.
The dramatic ending would dash the hopes of a young Broncos club that sent six to the state tournament, and would return with three state medal winners: Kaleb Pratt (120), Dorn and Daniel Blanke (150) who will all return next season.
“It was an exciting, and great dual – it kind of played out the exact way that we mapped things out leading up to this evening,” began a heart-broken Broncos head coach Dan Keller.
“It was an amazing year for this team, which I hold in a special place because of the terrific group of seniors, and the dedication, commitment to each other, and the incredible work ethic they all had.”
St. Charles East 46, Hononegah 25
With No. 4 St. Charles East and No. 5 Hononegah on the evening schedule, there would be plenty of interest in this Friday quarterfinal.
Three state champions in Dom Munaretto (St. Charles East) and two from the Hononegah club in Rocco Cassioppi and Brody Sendele would ensure some high-scoring matches from this terrific trio.
However, after Munaretto drew the Saints back level at 25-25, teammates Declan Sons (126), Kaden Potter (132), Liam Aye (138) and Gavin Woodmancy (144) broke this match wide open with 21 unanswered points to inspire an eventual 46-25 victory.
“We were worried about what (Hononegah) had in its lineup – three big hammers with Rocco and Bruno (Cassioppi) and (Brody) Sendele,” Saints coach Jason Potter said. “But we managed that pretty well, and slowly got ourselves back into it, before that great finish from our last five guys.”
Aye, a DuKane Conference and regional champion this season, saw his side fight its way through some early adversity this year.
“Early on we lost some matches to Barrington, and Glenbard West, but there was never any panic in our room,” Aye said. “We just got back to working hard, kept our heads up, and knew it was a long season. We knew that we were capable of getting downstate and bringing home a team trophy.”
Hononegah returned to the team finals after placing second to Marmion one season ago.
“We lost a lot of state place winners from last years team, but I always felt that the core we had coming back, along with the rest of the guys in our lineup could make it back down here again, with the chance of getting another state trophy,” said Sendele, this year’s state champ at 175, who will be among 12 returnees to next year’s team.
“This team will be back next year, and I know the result will be much better.”
Sendele, along with the Cassioppi brothers were a combined 134-10, with Rocco Cassioppi (150) earning his second consecutive state title, and Bruno (165) grabbing second place.
Montini Catholic 59, Edwardsville 10
Montini Catholic overpowered No. 11 Edwardsville (12-3-0) 59-10 by scoring the last 31 points and recording seven pins during this quarterfinal
Edwardsville coach Eric Pretto’s club was here for the sixth time in program history, and second straight year, after going 16-3-0 a year ago and losing its quarterfinal dual to eventual fourth-place trophy winner Hersey.
“We beat a great Lincoln-Way West team to get here, and I told the guys before we came to the arena that I was proud of them,” Pretto said. “We continue to be so after we leave here.
“It’s been a great year for us, we qualified seven into the state tournament, came home with four place-winners, and we would finish fourth here in overall team points.
“It all starts with our kids club. All of the guys are on the same page, and we’re just one big family and again – I am so proud of all of these young men,” continued Pretto, now in his third year in charge.
The seven who advance into the state tournament: Michael McNamara (106, 32-7, third), Timothy Swaim (120), Bryson Nuttall (126), Ryan Ritchie (144, 32-9, sixth), Simon Schulte (190), Roman Janek (215, 27-5, third) and Braylon Hill-Lomax (285, 35-9, fifth) were a combined 17-13 on the weekend.
The Saturday morning semifinals would showcase the overall depth of talent on display that both Marmion Academy and Montini Catholic had in their arsenals.
The Cadets would easily go past St. Charles East, 52-18, winning 10 of 14 bouts, while the Broncos sent Oak Park-River Forest into the third place match after claiming 9 of 14 matches en route to a 42-24 win.
3A TEAM STATE TITLE DUAL: MARMION VS. MONTINI
Once on the main stage here in Bloomington, it would be the Broncos who would bust out on top with a major decision from Santino Tenuta (165) and tech-fall by AJ Tack (175) to take an early 9-0 lead over Marmion
Tenuta and Tack were upper weight staples for head coach Sal Annoreno, with a combined seven trips to Champaign, and three state medals.
“I am not at all surprised by the success we’ve had this year,” began Tenuta.
“Everyone on this team put the work in, had made a strong commitment to each other, and we are just a really close group. We’re always doing things together to form a really tight bond among ourselves.”
Vincenzo Testa would swing the momentum in the favor of Marmion with his pin at 190, but Montini’s Sam Swais took it right back with a hard fought 12-6 decision to give the Broncos a 12-6 advantage.
Two-time state runner-up and CCL champion Joseph Favia recorded a 7-5 decision over Montini heavyweight Gavin Ericson, and combined with a forfeit at 106, Marmion would pull ahead for the first time at 15-12.
“We have a great lineup, where everyone pulls their weight, so I was always confident that we would stay with Montini before our hammers came through for us,” Favia said.
The Cadets’ big man would be right, but not before Montini’s Erik Klichurov (113), Allen Woo (120) and Bobby Ruscitti (126) would put a scare into the Marmion faithful when the trio packaged a pair of decisions, and a major decision win rom Ruscitti.
Klichurov and Woo were both state runners-up this year, and Woo is also a two-time state champion.
The 10 points earned gave the Broncos their last lead of the night at 22-15.
The tide would slowly turn for the eventual state champions, who would rule over their rivals in the final five matches, and break open this tightly-played final.
“We were up on our projection for the entire final, and we also knew we would finish with our three state champions, state runner-up, and a secret weapon in Logan Conover to finish out the final five matches – what a spot to be in,” said Cadets head coach Anthony Cirrincione.
Three-time state champion Nicholas Garcia won his 158th career victory with 5-1 decision over Mikey Malizzio at 132, and when 2026 state champion Demetrios Carrera claimed his 171st career victory with a t-fall at 138-pounds, it gave the Cadets a lead (23-22) they would never relinquish.
Logan Conover (144) followed with a 5-3 decision, two-time state champion Zach Stewart brought his career win total to 127 with a tech-fall at 150, before Ashton Hobson put the finishing touches on a 36-22 triumph with his 17-2 tech-fall victory.
“I was ready to go at 144 or 150, whatever the team needed, that’s the way it always is around our team,” said Stewart, who was unable to put into words just how much emotion he felt over the last two weekends of his prep career.
“It’s kind of surreal after winning a second state title last weekend, then another team title here tonight – knowing this is the last time this team will be together,” said Stewart, who will continue to wrestle next season at Purdue.
Montini coach Sal Annoreno enjoyed his first ride to the team state finals as head coach.
“Even with us falling short of a state title tonight, I can say this has been a terrific season for Montini Catholic wrestling, and I am very proud of all of our young men, who gave me my first year as head coach so many great memories,” Annoreno said.
“The guys put in the work this season, and competed with a lot of heart, determination, and grit. Marmion is a great program with a great coaching staff, and we’re not ashamed to lose to a classy program like them.”
The Broncos (20-4-0) will have most of their starting 14 back to give them a head start at having the pole position at the beginning of the 2026-2027 campaign.
The Cadets (16-3-0) on the other hand will say goodbye to what Cirrincione calls his ‘big six’.
“We went out to eat last August, and talked about the goals for the season, and asked each of them to share what they liked, and disliked from the previous season, and wanted their input on what they wanted for this season,” recounted Cirrincione.
“Garcia, Stewart, Carrera, Hobson, Testa and Favia, they are all superstars in my opinion, great leaders, and phenomenal young men, who, as a group, are irreplaceable. This group exceeded expectations coming in as freshmen, and those expectations were through the roof.
“The program is better for having them in it, and although they cannot be replaced, our future is bright with a group of younger guys ready to add to their legacy, and the legacy of Marmion wrestling, and with the absolute best coaching staff in the state, I feel like we’ll be capable of some terrific things next season as well.”
3A THIRD-PLACE DUAL: ST. CHARLES EAST VS. OPRF
It’s always said that nobody likes to play for third place, but if one could witness the excitement generated all throughout the St. Charles East-Oak Park-River Forest contest, it would dispel any doubt of why a third-place dual is wrestled.
Neither side was fully in control as the score went back-and-forth in dizzying fashion, until the Saints (19-6-0) appeared to take charge after a Kaden Potter tech-fall at 132, followed by a major decision victory from Liam Aye gave Jason Potters’ club a 31-21 lead with just three matches remaining.
“Even with our lead, it never feels like it’s over until it’s over,” said a relieved Potter, who lost his voice during a thrilling final match that would decide this contest.
Quarterfinals hero Zev Koransky, who scored a perfect 36 on the ACT and is headed to Johns Hopkins University in the fall, drew OPRF (11-4-0) back closer (31-25) with his 10-2 major decision.
Aiden Noyes would pull the OPRF faithful out of their seats when his tech-fall win at 150 made this a one-point (31-30) affair ahead of the 157-pound finale between the Saints Isaac Lenard and the Huskies Alex Albrecht.
With every match across all three classes completed, all eyes were on this last match of the season.
Albrecht would lead 3-0 after the first period, but Lenard would fight back to grab a 4-3 advantage heading into the third period.
Once there, each escape, take-down, and penalty point brought the decibel level higher and higher until Lenard claimed the final point of a 7-6 contest as time would ran out.
The Lenard victory would send the Saints bench into orbit.
“We were so hyped up about this match, we wanted to finish third so badly, and everyone was really into this dual – what a great way to go out for myself, and the rest of the team,” said Saints senior, Cooper Murray, who one week earlier was state runner-up at 215 pounds.
“Even though we did not have the super-star lineup we’ve had these past few seasons, I always thought this team was capable of getting downstate, and bringing home another team trophy,” added Dom Munaretto, who leaves with three state titles, and an astounding 209 career victories.
“What can I say, but I am so proud of these guys who fought hard to put themselves into position to advance into the second day to guarantee a state trophy,” said Potter.
Oak Park senior David Ogunsanya, who would finish up a remarkable career with a third place finish in Champaign, earned three wins here to push his record to 37-4, to go along with a sixth-place state medal in 2024.
“I’ll take a lot of great memories with me when I leave OPRF,” says Ogunsanya, who will wrestle next season at Cornell.
“I’ve always felt that it was important for me to be a great teammate, leader, and mentor to the rest of my teammates, especially the younger guys, and to be able to contribute during the competition to the best of my abilities I’ve been fortunate to be a part of a program that provides so much to all of us.”
The Huskies left Bloomington with their ninth team trophy in its storied history, and first for head coach Jason Renteria in his first year in charge.