CHAMPAIGN — It didn’t take long for Marmion’s Demetrios Carrera to decide on his next move.

The senior 144-pounder navigated a wide range of complex emotions heading into the biggest match of his life. He wasn’t going to hide, though. He would handle it through confrontation.

“There is so much doubt and fear and dealing with the risk of failing,” Carrera said of being an elite wrestler for the Cadets. “I was able to block it out and push through the adversity.

“Even if it’s still there, I had the courage to go out and compete.”

Carrera competed and then some Saturday night, capturing the Class 3A state championship with a tense 3-1 decision over Grant’s Vince Jasinski at the State Farm Center.

Nicholas Garcia, a senior, won his third straight state title for Marmion with a dramatic 8-5 overtime victory at 132 over Joliet Catholic’s Jason Hampton. Zach Stewart, also a senior, won his second state championship in three years with a 7-3 decision over Lyons’ Griff Powell at 138.

Marmion’s Demetrios Carrera, left, holds on to Grant’s Vince Jasinski at 144 pounds in the Class 3A state championship match at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (Rob Dicker / The Beacon-News)

Garcia, an Illinois recruit, and Stewart, a Purdue commit, set a stage Carrera was only too happy to follow,

“We helped him with the game plan for this match,” Stewart said of Carrera. “He’s doing the same things we were doing. He fit in and worked hard for this.

“Seeing what he did (Saturday night) was awesome.”

The Cadets’ six finalists and three state titles were the most by any team in 3A.

Marmion’s Nicholas Garcia, left, works against Marist’s Michael Esteban at 126 pounds during the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)

“I knew Demetrios was nervous heading into that match after he got beat badly the last time they faced,” Garcia said. “He was put in the best possible head space after seeing me and Zach win.

“He went and executed the plan.”

Carrera (40-5) avenged an earlier defeat to Jasinski by technical fall.

“In the last match, I took a lot of shots with my head buried down,” Carrera said. “He took advantage and capitalized. I made sure I stayed disciplined (Saturday).”

Marmion’s Zach Stewart, left, and Lyons’ Griff Powell jockey for control at 138 pounds in the Class 3A state title match at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (Rob Dicker / The Beacon-News)

Last season, Carrera finished third in the state at 132 for Marmion after transferring in from South Elgin, where he spent his first two years. He learned from that setback, that experience.

“Not being able to reach my goals last year really hurt,” Carrera said. “It really motivated me to get back into the room, do all the little things right and become a better version of myself.”

The first act of his recovery last year began in the dual team state final a week after the individual state meet. He provided a spark by reversing a loss to Rockton Hononegah’s Rocco Cassioppi.

“I think my style has evolved a lot and I’ve really developed my craft,” Carrera said. “I’m pretty funky out there and I like to do moves that you don’t usually see.”

The construction of that identity has gone a long in his growth and development.

Marmion’s Demetrios Carrera, left, lifts up Grant’s Vince Jasinski at 144 pounds in the Class 3A state championship match at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (Rob Dicker / The Beacon-News)

Removed from competition, he’s a fun-loving kid who prefers video games, playing pickup basketball or hanging out with his friends. He also recently took up painting.

“I’m pretty bad at it,” he said.

What’s good, however? There’s more left for Carrera and the Cadets, who face Joliet Catholic in Friday’s dual team state quarterfinals at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.

“I’ve always had this competitive part about me,” he said. “Even when I was a little kid, I’d be wrestling with my brother who was way stronger and bigger. We’d always be going at it.”

And regardless of next weekend’s outcome, Carrera is now an individual and team state champ.

“It’s an honor that I’ve been a part of this special group of guys,” he said. “They taught me, even if things don’t always go my way, I’ll find a way to get the job done.”

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

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/22/demetrios-carrera-marmion-state-wrestling/