Two Hononegah juniors win state wrestling titles; Indians head to dual team finals
Hononegah’s wrestling program added two more champions to its storied history Saturday.
CHAMPAIGN — Hononegah’s wrestling program added two more champions to its storied history Saturday as juniors Rocco Cassioppi and Brody Sendele each captured IHSA individual state titles at the State Farm Center.
Cassioppi, competing at 150 pounds, controlled his championship bout from the opening whistle, shutting out Marmion Academy’s Ashton Hobson 6-0. The junior outscored his opponents 47-9 across the weekend, securing his second straight state crown after winning at 136 pounds a year ago.
Sendele delivered an equally commanding run at 175 pounds. He defeated West Aurora’s Dayne Serio 11-4 in the final, capping a dominant tournament in which he posted a 55-13 scoring margin.
Hononegah nearly added a third champion. Junior Bruno Cassioppi reached the 165‑pound title match before falling 8-1 to Mt. Carmel’s Liam Kelly.
With two state champions and three finalists, the Indians now turn their attention to the IHSA Class 3A Dual Team Finals. Hononegah travels to Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington on Friday, Feb. 27, for a 7 p.m. quarterfinal matchup against St. Charles East.
The Indians enter the weekend with momentum — and two new state champions leading the charge.
