DEKALB • This past weekend, the ladies of Illinois gathered in what is an assembly to gather forces to defend the first Illinois Girls Fargo national championship from a season ago. In total, there were 29 weights with three National Team allocations in each of them. For 16U, there were 15 weights that were wrestled out; for Juniors, there were 14—in the end, there were 87 Team Illinois spots earned, In looking at the 16U field, there was a total of 98 young ladies that toed the line. Of that total, 46 percent of the field qualified through this weekend’s state championships. Out of the 1 ..read more

DEKALB • This past weekend in Barb Country, Illinois showed why it is just such a strong wrestling state, and an even more difficult state to qualify for Fargo through. The turnout numbers for both the Greco-Roman and Freestyle State Championships each spring never seems to lower; thus, the level of competition and the level of high-caliber wrestling is never at a loss, no matter which round is being wrestled. For each weight class, regardless of discipline, the top three wrestlers have automatically qualified for Fargo; fourth place is allowed to sit out until the finals of “Second Chanc ..read more

DEKALB • This past weekend in DeKalb Country, Illinois showed why it is just such a strong wrestling state, and an even more difficult state to qualify for Fargo through. The turnout numbers for both the Greco-Roman and Freestyle State Championships each spring never seems to lower; thus, the level of competition and the level of high-caliber wrestling is never at a loss, no matter which round is being wrestled. Some have even looked around at a few of the brackets and jested that winning a Folkstyle state championship within the three-classification system at times may be easier than an ..read more

LAS VEGAS, NV • Even though Illinois would not champion U20 Freestyle, three of its stars—three that have shined extremely bright in Illinois—showed that they are right there, and, with maybe another year of growth, they just may be ready to take the helm no matter where they are wrestling.    Illinois highest place winner would come in the form of an Illinois three-time state champion and Fargo champion who was coming off his redshirt freshman campaign for the University of Illinois, Kannon Webster.  Webster came in and, right away, started doing Kannon Webster-like t ..read more

LAS VEGAS, NV • In the U20 Division, Illinois came to Greco. And of all the Illinoisians who stepped onto the mat, one would be champion while four others would make their way to the podium. In all, each of the medalists showed dominance in a variety of ways, and each showed their Illinois Greco roots in how they competed and how they responded. As for the lone champion, Nick Nosler, who represents SIUE, he would own the U20 87kg day. Coming in as the three-seed, Nosler would receive a Bye in the Round of 32; however, once it was time to take the mat, his journey would begin. His Round of ..read more

LAS VEGAS, NV • Domenic Munaretto came into his U.S. Open weekend with one goal—one goal in two phases: win the Greco-Roman nomination for the U.S. World Team, and then win the Freestyle nomination for the U.S. World Team. He accomplished both tasks, and he did them in grand fashion.  In total, three wrestlers won titles in Greco-Roman and Freestyle, and Munaretto has a spectacular weekend on both fronts.  As for doubling up at the Open, Munaretto just believed in himself and toed the line in both styles. “I think [winning both styles] shows that I’m a very good wrestler,” Munar ..read more

LAS VEGAS, NV • The U17 World Team Trials saw a slew of Illinois wrestlers enter the field and, of those wrestlers looking to make a Greco-Roman World Team, one would accomplish his goal while a strong contingent would place. As for the champion, Domenic Munaretto, he would dominate his 51kg bracket with his only loss coming in the second match of the best-of-three series. However, regardless of that one loss, Munaretto, a former U17 World champion, would bounce back in match three, and close the deal on making a second World team—his first of the weekend.  For Munaretto, who came in ..read more

LAS VEGAS, NV • There is nothing easy about earning two medals at the U.S. Open. However, this past weekend, Thomas Banas, who was a Greco-Roman champion one day, came through a strong Freestyle field and placed third. Isaac Barrientos, similarly, placed third in Greco-Roman competition, and then fourth in Freestyle. Two young stars on the rise in Illinois, and now making themselves known nationally. For Banas, he would place third in the 57kg bracket after being seeded sixth and winning his opening bout, the Round of 64, over Duke Zowine, 6-2. In his Round of 32, Banas would continue his ..read more

LAS VEGAS, NV • Illinois came away from the U15 Greco-Roman championships with two titles—no surprise that Illinois is known for its Greco—and that is at any age. U.S. Open champions Robert Ruscitti and Thomas Banas moved through their weights in a most impressive fashion. For Ruscitti, he undeniably dominated the 48kg bracket as his longest match lasted 3:21—and it was still won by a technical superiority. Oh, and he never relinquished a point during the entire tournament.  Ruscitti would open his tournament with a 10-0 technical superiority over Hunter Wilkinson in 1:41 in his Roun ..read more

STATE COLLEGE, PA • Fourteen women from Illinois came to the 2024 US Olympic Team Trials with one goal: Paris. In the end, Illinois would see one Olympian graced with that very honor, and three others would earn a spot on the US National Team. Overall, with one Olympian, Illinois is very honored because, with only six available spots, having one for the Land of Lincoln is certainly something to be proud of. – Here are the results from the Trials: 2024 Olympian and US Olympic Team Trials Champion 76kg • Kennedy Blades, Sunkist Kids WC/Izzy Style Wrestling  ..read more