St. Charles East sophomore Ben Davino has the sensibility of an artist. He also has the physical presence of being an elite wrestler.
The two ideas overlap, with Davino delivering on the mat like a performer does on the stage — entertaining and vibrant.
“I wrestle with a lot of intensity,” he said. “I like to have fun and I like to try new things. I think I am very creative.
“This is my craft. And nobody’s better at creating their craft than I am. That’s how I go out there.”
During the recalibrated spring season as a freshman, Davino went 32-0 and captured the 113-pound state championship.
The reformatted field was conducted under the auspices of the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association.
“The experience was awesome,” he said. “I gained a lot of confidence and I proved to myself that I am the baddest guy out there.”
Now, he’s ready for the next step, willing and able to meet all obstacles. He’s undefeated this season and ranked No. 1 at 120 pounds.
“He never has to force a position,” St. Charles East coach Jason Potter said. “He is highly entertaining to watch wrestling because he can flow from so many different spots.”
With his low center of gravity, Davino is a whirling dervish who combines outstanding athleticism with a series of intricate and overwhelming moves and countermoves.
Still, he’s seemingly in constant control, dictating the tempo and rhythm of the match.
“My mentality is this is my show,” he said. “Sometimes, I think it’s only six minutes and I wish I could wrestle longer.”
Potter said Davino’s natural ability combined with his attention to detail, his enthusiasm and commitment have shaped a direct, intense outlook.
He also has the ambition of a great artist.
The particulars of the sport only heighten his individuality.
“I don’t really think too much when I am out there,” he said. “I just get into my zone. I put my headphones on, and I just started dancing. I don’t care what other people think.
“This is my little world.”
According to Potter, it works for Davino.
“He never looks lost in any position,” Potter said. “What stands out is how much time he has put into the sport.
“He has traveled all over the country to absorb as much as he can from as many coaches as he can. He takes it and makes it his own.”
At age 5, Davino said his father took note of his energy and effervescence and suggested wrestling as an outlet.
On his sixth birthday, Davino told his dad he was ready to start. He promptly began wrestling at the club level in St. Charles.
He has never looked back.
“I like breaking the other guy,” he said. “I am always going to go longer. Nobody is going to be able to outlast me. I go out there with the intention to dominate.”
Davino also has shown the ability to prevail in tight, low-scoring matches.
He defeated Libertyville’s Caelan Riley 3-1 at the Wheaton Warrenville South Mega Duals.
“No matter who I am wrestling, whether they are 18 or 20, I am going to be willing to fight and take those challenging paths,” he said. “I get bumped up a lot for our individual dual meets.
“I wrestled (Lake Park’s) Dominik Mallinder, and that was a good match.”
In the end, results matter.
“I am going to tournaments that push me,” he said. “At the end of the day, this is what I do. I go out there and put on a show for my friends and family.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.