Illinois boasts an exceptionally deep talent pool this year. With a disproportionate number of nationally ranked wrestlers, several state titles may come down to a battle between some of the best in the country. Here are 20 established names and 5 names that may not be on your radar just yet but will be soon:

Nasir Bailey (Rich Township) — Senior, 138 

Bailey is coming off a decisive victory at Who’s Number One that vaulted him to the top of the national rankings. The Little Rock recruit is bidding for his fourth state title. 

William Baysinger (Prospect) — Senior, 132/138 

Baysinger is a state champion and multi-time state finalist.  He will be adding additional depth to an already very deep 3A field this upcoming season. Baysinger is a University of Illinois commit and will be in the mix for a second state title.

Aaron Camacho (Bolingbrook) — Freshman, 132/138

Camacho solidified a successful youth career with an IKWF state title last March. Whether he’s at 132 or 138, Camacho will be entering into a deep weight class filled with upperclassmen. However, the talented freshman is one to keep an eye on and will be for years to come.

Jayden Colon (St. Charles East) — Junior, 145 

The returning state champion is coming off a very strong performance at Super 32, scoring wins over nationally-ranked opponents and falling just short of the podium. The junior will be looking to make a run at a second state title this upcoming February.

Colby Crouch (Triad) — Junior, 126/132 

Crouch claimed a 2A state title last season and holds an impressive national profile, including titles at Preseason Nationals and NHSCA Nationals. Crouch’s aggressive style and vicious top game make him a pinning threat to anyone across the mat from him.

Benjamin Davino (St. Charles East) — Junior, 126 

Davino is coming off title-winning performances in Fargo and at the Super 32. He didn’t allow an offensive point in either event. In between, he notched a win at Who’s Number One. The two-time state champion takes the #2 nation ranking into the season and will look to continue his quest to be a four-time state champion. 

Tyler Guerra (St. Charles East) — Junior, 132/138

The returning state placer and Preseason Nationals champion is coming off a strong offseason, which included a standout performance at the NHSCA Duals. Guerra will look to keep that momentum going as he will be a contender in a deep field at either 132 or 138.  

Dillan Johnson (Joliet Catholic) — Junior, 285 

As wrestling fans, we can only hope that the two-sport standout chooses to stay on the mat in college. Regardless, Johnson, who currently holds the #8 national ranking, will be going into the season as the odds-on favorite to win a third state title in his third campaign. The Fargo finalist has largely been unchallenged during his Illinois campaigns and it is unlikely that this will change this upcoming season.

Colin Kelly (Mount Carmel) — Junior, 170 

Kelly took home the state title in his sophomore campaign, besting Chris Moore in an overtime thriller. As the defending state champion, Kelly will come in at the top spot in 3A at 170 and will likely be heading to a finals rematch of last year’s barn burner. 

Sergio Lemley (Mount Carmel) — Senior, 132 

Lemley is looking to join an elite group as he will be seeking his fourth state championship this season. He is also currently ranked #1 nationally after a victory at Who’s Number One and is coming off a strong performance with his victory at Super 32. The Michigan recruit will be looking to carry that momentum into a deep Class 3A field at 132 where Illinois boasts multiple nationally ranked or recognized wrestlers.

Seth Mendoza (Mount Carmel) — Sophomore, 113 

Mendoza comes in ranked #2 in the country at 106.  He’s a Fargo champion and a two-time finalist. He’s also a Super 32 finalist and Ironman placer. Mendoza is the top-ranked 113 in Illinois as he begins his sophomore campaign.

Dom Munaretto (St. Charles East) — Freshman, 106

While Munaretto has not had a chance to win a state title yet, he comes in with an age-group World title and he’s ranked #7 in the country at 106. As the reigning 45-kilogram U17 champ, he is a strong favorite to take home a state title this upcoming February.

Chris Moore (McHenry) — Senior, 170 

Moore is a state champion and multi-time state finalist.  Although he just missed placing at Super 32, he had a strong performance and remains nationally ranked at #20. It’s highly possible that the 170-pound 3A state title may be a repeat of the OT thriller between Moore and Mount Carmel standout Colin Kelly as they will be at the top of the field coming into the season.

Jaxon Penovich (Prospect) — Freshman, 195

Penovich is no stranger to high-level competition. The Team Illinois member and 16U freestyle state champion comes in with extensive national experience. While he is at an upperclassmen weight, expect Penovich to be in the mix come February.

Jaydon Robinson (Homewood-Flossmoor) — Sophomore, 145 

The first and youngest of two nationally-ranked Robinson brothers on the list. Jaydon is currently ranked 20th nationally. He’s coming off a strong performance at Super 32. The state placewinner figures to be in the mix for a state title against a deep field at 145. 

Vincent Robinson (Homewood-Flossmoor) — Senior, 132/138

Robinson is a multi-time state finalist and Ironman champion. He’s also a Fargo All-American and Super 32 placewinner. The North Carolina State recruit is currently ranked 11th nationally.  

Gylon Sims (Joliet Catholic) — Senior, 120 

Along with teammate Dillan Johnson, Sims will be looking to add a third state title to his impressive resume. Sims is a Fargo All-American and will be coming into the season as the top-ranked wrestler in 2A at his weight.

Aaron Stewart (Warren) — Freshman, 152 

Anyone who’s followed the youth level over the past several years knows about the A-Train. Stewart’s decorated youth career includes multiple Trinity Awards and pretty much any other award you can think of. The incoming freshman will get to test his skills against older foes this upcoming season, but his athleticism and explosive power will make him a threat to any opponent he will face this upcoming season.

Zach Stewart (Marmion Academy) — Freshman, 120/126

No relation to Aaron, Zach looks to start his own journey to his ultimate goal of being a four-time state champion for the Cadets. Stewart was able to showcase his skills recently, going deep into the field at Super 32. While it is not clear if Stewart will end up at 120 or 126, he will be in the mix to contend this upcoming February.

Ethan Stiles (Conant) — Senior, 160 

Stiles is a two-time state champion who enters the season as a favorite to win a third. The Nebraska recruit is currently ranked sixth nationally and is coming off an undefeated performance at the prestigious Elite 8 duals. 

Noah Tapia (Moline) — Senior, 145 

Tapia is a state champion and multi-time state finalist. He has placed at multiple national tournaments and will be a contender at a deep Class 3A 145-pound class in February.

Bryaden Thompson (Lockport) — Senior, 182 

The Oklahoma State recruit currently holds the #1 ranking in the country, solidifying that with a recent victory at Who’s Number One. The mult-time state champion and U20 World Team member is a heavy favorite to repeat as state champion, whether at 182 where he is ranked or at 195 if he chooses to move up.

Morgan Turner (Bremen) — Freshman, 106 

Turner is ranked #13 nationally in the girls’ national rankings, but this season she will be looking to make history as the first female state champion in the boys’ division come February. Coming off a title at Super 32 and dominance at pretty much everything she has attended, she will be coming in at #1 in Class 2A.

Kannon Webster (Washington) — Senior, 132/138 

Webster is a multi-time Fargo champion. He is an Ironman and Super 32 placewinner and he’s currently ranked #2 nationally at 132. The Illinois recruit is a two-time state champion and a strong favorite to repeat in Class 2A. Webster did not compete in the state series during the IWCOA year or else he could be looking to join the four-timer club as well.

Abraham Wojcikiewicz (Civic Memorial) — Senior, 170 

Wojcikiewicz has had a lot of success in Illinois.  However, with his sixth-place performance at Super 32, he made it clear that he is not only the top Illinois 170-pounder in 2A going into the season but he belongs in the national conversation as well. His #8 national ranking solidifies this elite status.