Saint Patrick wrestler Joe Fagiano won the IHSA Individual State Championship at 215 pounds by defeating Christian Brantley of Mount Carmel 3-2 on February 18 in Urbana-Champaign. Fagiano becomes only the second wrestler in school history to claim an IHSA Individual State Championship, joining heavyweight Mike Mroczek in 1985. Fagiano finished the year with a record of 45-2, and he is the first Shamrock to win a medal at the State Championships since current head coach Pat Duggan placed fourth in 1990.

In his first round match, Fagiano faced Chris Dunning of Streamwood who came into the match with a record of 35-5. Fagiano scored a quick double-leg takedown for a 2-0 lead, and then he was able to turn Dunning to his back, using an arm bar. Fagiano pinned Dunning 59 seconds into the match, sending a message to the rest of the field.

In the second round Fagiano drew Nate Everhart of Andrew. Everhart was 38-0 coming into the match, and he had placed sixth at 189 pounds in the state finals last year. There was no scoring in the first period of the match. Fagiano started down in the second period, and scored the first point of the match when he escaped. Fagiano then scored big when he countered an Everhart shot and took Everhart to his back with a throw-by for a two-point takedown and a two-point near fall. Everhart escaped late in the period, and they went to the third period with Fagiano ahead 5-1. Everhart started down in the third, and scored a two-point reversal before Fagiano escaped. Everhart then took Fagiano down, and Fagiano escaped again. The score of the match was 7-5 before Fagiano was penalized twice for stalling. The second stalling call came with only 15 second remaining in the third period, and it tied the match at 7, almost guaranteeing that the match would go to overtime. Fagiano had other ideas, as he took Everhart down with only eight seconds remaining in the third period to win the match in dramatic fashion, 9-7.

In the semi-finals Fagiano faced Garrett Goebel of Montini. Goebel had posted a record of 45-5, and he placed fourth in the state in Class A last year. Fagiano got on the board first, scoring a two-point takedown on an inside trip at the edge of the mat. Fagiano tilted Goebel to his back late in the first period for two near fall points and a 4-0 lead. Fagiano extended his lead to 6-0 with a takedown early in the second period, and he coasted to a 6-1 victory.

In the state championship match Fagiano took on Christian Brantley of Mount Carmel. Brantley was 33-2 on the year, and he placed fourth in the state last year. There was no scoring in the first period. Fagiano started down and escaped for the match’s first point. That was all the scoring in the second period. Brantley started down in the third period, and escaped to tie the match at one. With 22 seconds left in the third period, Fagiano was able to counter a Brantley trip attempt and score a takedown for a 3-1 lead. Brantley escaped with five seconds left in the match to make it 3-2, but Fagiano held on for the state championship.

Fagiano faced all of the best in the state on the road to his title. Three of the four wrestlers that Fagiano beat at the state tournament were state place winners from last year. Of the 24 wrestlers that qualified for the state tournament at 215 pounds this year, Fagiano defeated 12 of them at some point this season. Fagiano also defeated the 189-pound state champion, Jerome Ward of Saint Rita, earlier this season.

Fagiano wasn't the only Shamrock downstate. Brian Rategan qualified for the state tournament as well. Rategan drew Robert Bruno of Joliet Township in his preliminary round match at 171 pounds. Bruno placed fourth in the state last year. Rategan fought valiantly, but came out on the short end of a 9-4 decision. Rategan finished his season with a record of 38-11.