ST. CHARLES, Ill. (CBS) — Jason Potter knew early on he had a good one in Ben Davino.
“Back when he was in 8th grade, I was talking to his dad. I said, ‘he’s going to be a four-time state champ,’ the St. Charles East wrestling coach said. “He kind of chuckled and said, ‘I appreciate you saying that.’ I said, ‘I’m not saying that. It’s going to happen.'”
Four years later, Davino has the chance to make that happen. The senior, who has only one loss in his high school wrestling career, is trying to become just the fifteenth four-time individual state champion in IHSA history.
“It’s been a dream for a while, ever since 8th grade, maybe before that,” Davino said. “It’s kind of hard when you take a step back and just look at it. You’re like, ‘Wow, this is pretty amazing. This is a once in a lifetime sort of thing.’ There’s a lot of pressure that comes with that. At the same time it’s fun.”
“It’s a pretty elite group,” said Potter. “It would give him some of the recognition he deserved. I know I’m biased, but I think he’s, if not the, definitely one of the best wrestlers ever to come out of Illinois. He’s only given up one takedown in his high school career. His dominance on the mat has been incredible. To finish it off with a fourth state title would put the rubber stamp on the fact that he’s one of the best ever.”