February 11, 2025
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Wrestling: Jake Penzato gets his revenge, leads St. Charles East's 12 to sectionals

Saints second to DeKalb in team finish; Batavia qualifies seven

By KALEB CARTER

Penzato had fallen behind McGee, who defeated him earlier this year, but was able to come from both 2-0 and 4-2 down to force the overtime. Penzato had also lost this year to Geneva’s Ian Huck, the No. 2 seed at DeKalb, but defeated Huck by fall in the second period to advance to the final. “I came off of two losses,” Penzato said. “I had lost to both of them earlier in this season and I really wanted to get those wins back. I had a purpose coming in here.” Penzato was one of 12 St. Charles East wrestlers to advance to next Saturday’s Class 3A Conant Sectional. The Saints finished second as a team to DeKalb in the team standings. The Barbs had 277.5 points to the Saints’ 200. “It was in thrilling fashion in the finals, having to go into overtime,” St. Charles East coach Jason Potter said. “We would have liked for (Penzato) to get into his offense a little bit sooner than going into overtime. I don’t think he wrestled his best in his finals match and he was still able to come away with a victory.” (Mark Black)

Penzato had fallen behind McGee, who defeated him earlier this year, but was able to come from both 2-0 and 4-2 down to force the overtime. Penzato had also lost this year to Geneva’s Ian Huck, the No. 2 seed at DeKalb, but defeated Huck by fall in the second period to advance to the final. “I came off of two losses,” Penzato said. “I had lost to both of them earlier in this season and I really wanted to get those wins back. I had a purpose coming in here.” Penzato was one of 12 St. Charles East wrestlers to advance to next Saturday’s Class 3A Conant Sectional. The Saints finished second as a team to DeKalb in the team standings. The Barbs had 277.5 points to the Saints’ 200. “It was in thrilling fashion in the finals, having to go into overtime,” St. Charles East coach Jason Potter said. “We would have liked for (Penzato) to get into his offense a little bit sooner than going into overtime. I don’t think he wrestled his best in his finals match and he was still able to come away with a victory.” (Mark Black)

Xander Song (285) and Carter Maggio (170) also won regional titles for the Saints. “If I know someone is good, I really get focused and really get prepared,” Penzato said. Now a three-time regional champion and one-time state qualifier at the varsity level — Penzato was a 113-pound fresh/soph second-place finisher at state last year — the Saints junior sets his sight on the state podium. He’s not the only one for who things have turned around as of late. “Taking 12 guys is more than we had last year,” Potter said. “It’s good experience. We struggled in the beginning of the year and really had to turn the corner as it went on. I just think it’s reassurance for our guys that our process is working and we’re trending in the right direction.” (Mark Black)

Batavia’s Cael Andrews (113 pounds) claimed the Bulldogs’ first regional crown of the day, helping lead the team to third place with 165 points. Andrews went up as much as 11-0 on his way to a 17-1 technical fall of DeKalb’s Blake McGee. Andrews, a freshman, said he was beginning to get winded in the match and that conditioning on an exercise bike would be a focus for the week leading up to the sectional. He’s hopeful that leads to his first state berth. “I always went down to watch in Champaign when I was younger and to be this close as a freshman feels good,” Andrews said. Teammate Mikey Caliendo (145) brought home a regional title as well. “He (Andrews) has (33) wins as a freshman and I think he’s starting to realize how good he can be and that’s pretty exciting to see this time of year,” Batavia coach Scott Bayer said. (Mark Black)

Bayer said he was excited for what’s to come for Caliendo at the Conant Sectional and that Riley Woods had a solid second-place performance at 138 pounds. “We had six freshmen in the varsity lineup today and three of them are going on,” Bayer said. “That’s not bad.” Additionally advancing for the Bulldogs were Kaden Fetterolf (106, second place), Marc Romero (132, third), Ryan Whitwell (170, third), Alex Richards (220, second). “We thought we’d get more qualifiers to sectionals this year and we did with seven,” Bayer said. “Last year we had four with a more experienced team last year.” Rounding out the Saints’ sectional qualifiers were Alex Hadzima (106, third), Wrigley (113, third), Max Sztuk (120, second), Peyton Schroeder (132, second), Charles Fialka (145, second), Michael Wirkus (152, third), Gavin Tatar (160, third), Frank Szymanski (182, third) and Diego Sanchez (195, second). Advancing for Geneva were Huck (126, second) and Hank Smith (285, third). Drew Surges took second at 152 pounds for St. Charles North to move on. Colman Gonnella also advances after taking third at 195. (Mark Black)

DeKalb's Tucker Ikens defeats Batavia's Jack Sadowsky at 182 lb during the semi-finals of the DeKalb IHSA 3A Wrestling Regional on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. (Mark Black)