Jameson Garcia and Ben Davino have always operated on parallel paths.
Garcia, a senior at Marmion, is a year older than Davino, a junior at St. Charles East. Despite the one-year difference, both are two-time defending state champions.
Now, their fortunes are directly in opposition, each certified to wrestle at 126 pounds.
They are also the leaders of the two best teams this season in Class 3A from the Aurora and Elgin area. The two teams are nationally ranked.
Davino, who is undefeated, is ranked No. 1 in the state rankings by Illinois Matmen. Garcia is No. 2. Garcia, a Harvard recruit, is undefeated against Illinois competition.
The schools are separated by just 10 miles. Fortunately, the two programs are in separate team sectionals. The likely final confrontation would be for the Class 3A state title.
Davino and Garcia signify the best of the best.
Here are the other bests heading into the halfway mark of the season:
Best team
The high-quality depth of top-ranked Marmion signifies a subtle difference over No. 2 St. Charles East.
Last week, the Cadets dominated defending Class 2A state champion Joliet Catholic 41-20 to win the championship bracket at the Flavin Invite in DeKalb. Joliet Catholic edged St. Charles East 36-32 at the same tournament.
Best small school team
Yorkville Christian, the reigning Class 1A dual team state champion, is poised for another deep run behind seniors Tyler Martinez (24-1) and Jackson Gillen (24-0). Martinez competes at 160 and Gillen at 170.
The Mustangs, who only lost to Marmion, went 5-1 and won their bracket at the Flavin.
Most surprising team
Behind senior standout Niko Skoulikaris at 170 pounds, Hampshire is off to a 7-2 start in dual meets.
Top newcomer
St. Charles East freshman Dom Munaretto is undefeated at 106, highlighted by a national tournament victory at the Ironman in Ohio.
Best lightweight not named Davino or Garcia
Marmion freshman Zach Stewart punctuated the Cadets’ victory over Joliet Catholic with the stunning 4-3 victory over defending state champion Gylon Sims at 120.
“I have great training partners with people like Jameson Garcia,” Stewart said.
Best middleweight
Batavia senior Kaden Fetterolf (24-0) has been virtually unstoppable at 152. A Class 3A state runner-up last season at 138, he has not allowed a takedown, reversal or near fall.
Cael Andrews, a senior, also is undefeated at 145 for the Bulldogs.
At 160, Yorkville Christian’s Martinez has two victories over West Aurora’s Noah Quintana, ranked No. 3 in Class 3A by Illinois Matmen.
Marmion junior Collin Carrigan has just one loss at 152. Returning from an elbow injury, West Aurora sophomore Dominic Serio had four falls, a technical fall and major decision at 145 in the Flavin Invite.
Best in the upper weights
Gillen, the defending Class 1A state champion at 170, earns the nod over Marmion junior Jack Lesher, Yorkville junior Ben Alvarez and Dundee-Crown senior Porter Leith.
Gillen had four falls in going 6-0 at the Flavin Invite, pushing his record to 24-0.
Lesher, who was fourth in Class 3A at 182 last season, is undefeated against Illinois competition. Alvarez has been dominant toggling between 220 and 285.
Leith is also undefeated at 195.
Best big man
St. Charles East senior Austin Barrett, an Indiana football recruit, is ranked No. 4 at 285 by Illinois Matmen.
Best comeback
Two seasons ago, Yorkville Christian junior Ty Edwards made the state championship match at 106 as a freshman. He sat out due to an injury. He’s 24-2 this season at 120, including a fall over defending 2A state champion Drew Davis from Glenwood.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.