Kane County Chronicle Athlete of the Week: Dom Munaretto, St. Charles East, wrestling, freshman

Name: Dom Munaretto

School: St. Charles East, freshman

Sport: Wrestling

Why he was selected: St. Charles East freshman Dom Munaretto won the Class 3A 106-pound state wrestling title Feb. 18 to improve to 50-0 on the season. He is the Kane County Chronicle Athlete of the Week in an online vote. Here is his Q&A with Jacob Bartelson.

Bartelson: Last Saturday mat side, you said you watched your cousin Anthony Randazzo of Marian Central lose in the Class 2A 138-pound finals in 2017. Are you the first in your family to win a state title now?

Munaretto: Yeah, he was the closest. He got second and no one else ever came that close.

Bartelson: Considering that, how important is that to you now you’re the first?

Munaretto: It means a lot to know how far I’ve come and how far I’ve come as a wrestler to where I’m able to get this good and win [a title]. It feels amazing.

Bartelson: Wins and success fuel people, but beyond that, what else fuels you to be the wrestler you are?

Munaretto: I just enjoy it. I like beating people [and] I like physically dominating. [I like] using my strength versus their strength.

Bartelson: What did you do to celebrate your title win? Have a steak?

Munaretto: I ate. I had a burger and ice cream.

Bartelson: Team sectionals is Tuesday and, hopefully, an appearance for Saturday [at state]. How does the team feel ahead of it?

Munaretto: We feel ready. We’re ready to kick some butt. We think we got this.

Bartelson: Is there a college or former wrestler you’ve looked up to?

Munaretto: I like a lot of wrestlers, but I always want to be the first ‘Me’. I don’t want there to be anyone like myself, so I don’t look up to anyone.