Wrestling: Yorkville crowns five individual champs, wins first-ever Class 3A regional title

PLAINFIELD – Dominic Recchia’s rise to the top of the podium wasn’t a fast trip.

The Yorkville freshman endured the normal ups and downs associated with competing against high level competition while learning the ins and outs of varsity wrestling.

But Recchia is blossoming into a talented wrestler following another step-forward performance on Saturday.

Recchia was among five first-place winners to lead Yorkville to the Class 3A Plainfield Central Regional championship on Saturday. The Foxes, coached by Jake Oster, dominated the meet with 220 points, with Plainfield North (183 points), who had four individual champs, and Oswego (132) earning second and third, respectively. Oswego East finished in eighth place with 19 points.

The Foxes won their first 3A regional title in program history, and snagged their first regional title since winning 2A in 2012.

Oster said Recchia’s development was a key factor in the Foxes’ success on Saturday. Recchia (25-11) claimed the regional title at 120 pounds, beating Oswego’s Ryan Goddard 5-1 in the finale.

“Dominic came in as a good middle school club wrestler,” Oster said. “We expected him to contribute, but I didn’t know how much. With the way he’s been wrestling throughout the year, it’s been a good surprise. He competes well, wrestles hard, is quick and powerful with his shots. It’s a good surprise to have.

“I think he started getting some wins and believing in himself, missed a little time this season, but once he got in there and got a good win here and there and showed himself he could compete on the varsity, that propelled him.”

Recchia said he’s been building slowly toward a strong finish.

“I stayed physical and worked hard the entire day, and I kept being physical today,” he said. “I’ve been hitting the weight room a lot, trying to get stronger and tougher and get ready for regionals and the state series. This puts me in a good spot, makes me feel good about my confidence going into sectionals and moving onto state.”

Yorkville freshman Jack Ferguson (29-6) won the 113-pound division with a 13-3 major decision over Plainfield South’s Rudy Silva.

“I practiced hard all week and came in here and wrestled my matches and did my stuff,” Ferguson said. “It feels good, helps brings up my confidence for sectionals. From the start of the year, I’ve gotten a lot better, so I should be getting a lot better as the season goes on.”

Another freshman, Luke Zook, added to Yorkville’s parade of first-time regional winners. He captured the 152-pound division despite wrestling only one match.

“It feels really good wrestling older kids,” Zook said. “I have to use my technique to outwork them because they’re stronger. As a team, we’re really young and will continue to get a lot better through the years and we’re really close as a team.”

At 195 pounds, Yorkville junior Hunter Janeczko (30-3) avenged a 9-2 loss to Plainfield South’s John Pacewic from last week’s conference tournament, posting a 4-3 decision in the first-place match.

“I knew he was going to try and throw me, and I caught him once,” Janeczko said. “I just pushed the intensity and tried to get him tired and run him to the middle and push the pace. I feel I can beat anybody now.”

Ben Alvarez (220) rounded out Yorkville’s five first-place winners, with the Foxes notching second place in five weight classes.

Plainfield East sophomore Nicholas Duggan (22-14) pinned Romeoville’s Ricardo Nieves to win the 138-pound division.

“I worked hard and basically I kept my stance, making sure I didn’t get out of position today,” Duggan said. “I felt pretty confident after pinning my first and second matches, which made me feel good going into finals.”

Oswego senior Logan Guerrero (18-6) admitted he’s motivated for just missing state two years ago, earning first place at regionals at 138 pounds.

“I feel I’ve gotten better, but can definitely progress a lot more in order to reach my potential,” Guerrero said. “I don’t think I wrestled my best, but I have to keep working harder and harder.

I’ve been getting prepared for regionals, sectionals and to go to state. It’s my senior year. I want to make it worthwhile.”

Other regional champs included Romeoville’s Brian Farley at 106, Plainfield North’s Jacob Macatangay at 126, Plainfield North’s Brody Wyller at 145, Plainfield North’s Jared Gumila at 160, Plainfield South’s Matthew Janiak at 170, Plainfield Central’s Max Bowen at 182 and Plainfield North’s Kaden McCombs at 285.