AJ Marino turns up the volume, sparks St. Charles East past Marmion for state title. ‘I was not going to lose.’

BLOOMINGTON — St. Charles East senior AJ Marino turned off the music.

He then created his own song of joy.

“I was listening to some rap and Katy Perry,” Marino said. “Once the music stopped, all the thoughts started coming in and I just told myself I was not going to lose this.

“Everything was running through my head.”

Katy Perry. Eminem. Whatever it took Saturday night, Marino was ready to go at Grossinger Motors Arena, especially with history staring him right in the face.

It all came to life as Marino beat Marmion’s Donny Pigoni by major decision at 120 pounds, lifting the Saints to a 28-24 victory in the Class 3A dual team state championship match.

In a clash of nationally ranked teams, St. Charles East (22-1) captured the first state title in program history. Marmion (18-2) matched its 3A runner-up trophies in 2013 and 2014.

St. Charles East featured 11 state qualifiers and three individual champs, including undefeated freshman Dom Munaretto (54-0) at 106 and three-time state champion Ben Davino (54-0) at 126.

Marmion countered with 12 state qualifiers, including a state champion in junior Jack Lesher at 182 and a state finalist in senior Jameson Garcia at 126.

Brody Murray, a junior for St. Charles East, summed it up best.

“This is the match everybody has wanted since the beginning of the season,” Murray said. “This has been three years in the making.”

Murray’s decision over freshman Joey Favia at 182 was one of the crucial swing matches.

Each team won seven matches. A win by pin by Davino and a forfeit victory by Munaretto proved to be the difference.

Marmion had to alter its roster after freshman Zach Stewart, a state qualifier who finished 32-6 at 120, was unavailable due to complications from a concussion.

With most of the Cadets moving up a weight class, the rematch of the thrilling individual state showdown in overtime between Davino and Garcia at 126 never materialized.

The versatility and prowess of St. Charles East’s lower weights have been a strength all season. And it helped the Saints pull off another big win.

Munaretto pinned sophomore Kavel Moore in the first period, securing a 32-30 comeback victory over defending state champion Mount Carmel in Friday’s quarterfinals.

“I didn’t rush anything and I just wrestled my match,” Munaretto said. “After the way we came back, our momentum was really high coming into (Saturday).”

Marmion also came up with some thrilling moments against the Saints, with Collin Carrigan scoring two takedowns and back points in the third period for a 10-7 win over Anthony Gutierrez.

Sean Scheck (38-9) ended his excellent career by defeating Austin Barrett 6-1 at 285 pounds. The victory gave Marmion its only lead at 21-18.

“We knew at the beginning of the year we’d be right there with either East or Mount Carmel,” Scheck said. “We were preparing for this the whole season with the matchups.

“We have nothing to be down about. I can’t think of having a better coaching staff or better teammates.”

Behind junior Ben Alvarez, the individual state champion at 220, Yorkville (18-7) finished fourth in Class 3A.

In Class 1A, Yorkville Christian’s bid for back-to-back state titles also ended in cliffhanger fashion.

At 220, a fall by Jackson Mehochko gave the Mustangs (22-6) a late lead.

Coal City responded with falls at 285 and 113 for the 32-31 victory.

Hundreds of wrestlers from the remaining classes and schools circled the final match between Marino and Pigoni. Marino finished with a 42-11 record.

“Once I got the first takedown, the nerves left and I felt relaxed and in control,” Marino said. “At the end, knowing I’d just won a state championship for my team, I was smiling on the inside.”

Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.