Batavia's Fetterolf among first-day stars at state
CHAMPAIGN - Under the watchful eye of an eventual state champion in the room during his first two season at Batavia, Kaden Fetterolf (39-5) learned from the best, and now is one of the best in his 138-pound weight class.
The Bulldogs junior saw Mikey Caliendo, now at North Dakota State, dominate at 160 pounds all throughout to claim the first individual state championship in Batavia program history.
"You couldn't help be influenced with the way Mikey trained, and competed. (He) was such a warrior, but for me, he helped me so much with me gaining more confidence, and I really feel that's what has made me so much better," says Fetterolf, a top four seed here, who after his major decision victory over Phil Chapa (Barrington) will now face Dylan Gvillo (Edwardsville, 44-5), who beat rival Harrison Konder of Downers Grove, 7-6 in overtime.
"I lost to both Konder, and No. 1 (Kole) Brower (Moline, 43-1) earlier in the year, but I know I closed the gap on both of them, so I am really looking forward to this weekend," added Fetterolf, who beat Lake Park junior Mike DiBenedetto for the fourth time this season to claim a sectional crown at Conant last weekend.
Fetterolf's teammate, Cael Andrews (145, 39-8) won a hard-fought contest over Noah Quintana (West Aurora, 39-6) to advance into a second-round match against No. 2 seed Charlie Fifield (43-4) of Fremd.
Bulldogs senior Jordan Tonkovich (29-5) faces Marmion Academy sophomore Jack Lesher (38-4) in a key second-round bout.
In a high profile 106-pound weight class, Bulldogs sophomore Ino Garcia (39-4) was sent into wrestle-backs following a heartbreaking 4-2 loss to Wiley Jessup (40-5), a senior from Fremd.
Sectional champion Dominic Ducato (Jacobs, 25-5) impressed at 106 with his 10-0 victory, and now has Ethan Spact (27-3) from Bradley-Bourbonnais.
James Wright (126, 25-6) from Jacobs remains alive in the front draw following his major decision victory over Dominic Schiavone (20-5) from Minooka.
"As I said last week at sectionals, (our) nonconference schedule is a very difficult one, and I really believe it prepared our guys for this time of the year," said Jacobs coach Gary Conrad.
St. Charles East's top seed Ben Davino (34-1) advanced without a scratch, as did teammates Tyler Guerra (132, 29-5) and Brody Murray (160, 30-6). They all continue to shine during postseason action.
Jameson Garcia (113, Marmion Academy, 29-4) remains on course to collect his second consecutive state title, while his teammate Jordan Lishman (30-7) takes on the No. 2 heavyweight here, Paulie Robertson (29-1) from Glenbard North.
Three-time state qualifier Pierre Baldwin (West Chicago, 37-3) will have a go at No. 2 Will Baysingar (Prospect, 45-1) at 132, while Huntley senior Ryder Hunkins (32-7) has No. 1 Bradley Gillum (DeKalb, 28-2) as his next opponent at 182.
Josh Glover (113, 28-0) and Shane Moran (182, 34-4) from Crystal Lake South, and fellow No. 1 rated stars Braden Stauffenberg (Aurora Christian, 152) and Nate Wemstrom (195, 35-5) overwhelmed the competition to move one match away from a chance to compete for a state championship.
Joe Fernau, 2020 state champion at 106, and Deven Casey (106, 30-6), teammates of Stauffenberg-Wemstrom, are in position to reach the finals after recording a pair of pins to go through, where it will be Fernau vs. Mateo Costello (Riverside, 36-5) and for Casey, Andrew Davis (15-0) of Glenwood.
No. 5 Cameron Phillip (Kaneland, 106, 39-5) could become the first Knight to reach the finals since 2013 (Dan Goress) should he defeat top seed Anthony Alanis (47-4) from Grayslake Central in his semifinal.
Cary-Grove senior Wade Abrams gave reigning state champion and No. 1 rated Donnie Hidden of Washington all he could handle until conceding a 5-2 loss in his quarterfinal match.
"Wade has always been physically tough, but his mental toughness is at the next level, and I really believe that is where he has come the farthest," said Cary-Grove coach Will Petersen.
Abrams will now go after a state medal through wrestle-backs.
The schedule on Friday begins with 3A quarterfinals, then two rounds of wrestle-back action for all three classes.
Friday evening semifinal action will start at 7 p.m. for each class.
Check the IHSA wrestling website for any changes in the schedule.