West Aurora’s Dayne Serio has always dealt with the weight of big expectations on the mat.
Serio’s father, Rob, who is an assistant coach for the Blackhawks, wrestled at Eastern Illinois. Dayne’s older brother, Dominic, was a two-time state placer at West Aurora — including last season’s runner-up finish as a senior — and is now wrestling in college at Ohio.
Dayne has been intent on following in their footsteps.
“My dad wrestled in college, my brother wrestled in college,” Serio said. “It’s not like I’m wrestling in college just because they did it, but I feel like it’s a legacy.
“I think there was pressure on me to continue that legacy, so I had to do the best that I can.”
Serio is definitely thriving off the pressure. He continued a dominant senior season Saturday, rolling to the 175-pound championship at the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional.
West Aurora’s Dayne Serio, left, takes down Montini’s AJ Tack during the 175-pound final of the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional in Hinsdale on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (Steve Johnston / The Beacon-News)
Serio, who has committed to join his brother at Ohio next season, was one of five West Aurora wrestlers to advance to the state meet, which begins Thursday at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
Sophomore Gabe Richmond finished as the runner-up at 113 for the Blackhawks.
Marmion, which qualified 10 wrestlers, had seven sectional champs in Colton Wyller (106), Nicholas Garcia (132), Zach Stewart (138), Demetrios Carrera (144), Ashton Hobson (150), Vincenzo Testa (190) and Joey Favia (285).
Serio (39-3), meanwhile, won his three matches in convincing fashion, starting with a technical fall and a pin before beating Montini’s AJ Tack by an 11-0 major decision in the finals.
West Aurora’s Dayne Serio, left, tries to take down Montini’s AJ Tack during the 175-pound final of the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional in Hinsdale on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (Steve Johnston / The Beacon-News)
“I definitely did well on my feet,” Serio said. “I tried to get as many points as I could. That’s pretty much been my goal the whole season — get as many points as I can and try to break my opponents.”
Serio has been wrestling with some extra motivation since a sixth-place finish at state last season. He earned his first state medal but certainly wasn’t satisfied.
“It just sparked a bigger fire for this year, trying to get to the top of the podium instead of a spot on the floor next to the podium,” Serio said.
West Aurora coach Andrew Plata has certainly seen that extra edge in Serio all season.
West Aurora’s Dayne Serio, right, looks to attack against Montini’s AJ Tack during the 175-pound final of the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional in Hinsdale on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (Steve Johnston / The Beacon-News)
“He’s had that itch to get to the top of the podium and it started day one,” Plata said. “He’s had that extra motivation. He knows what he’s capable of, what it takes, and he’s been stepping up ever since.”
Richmond has been most impressed by how steady Serio is from match to match.
“I see his consistency and how he hasn’t really been stopped,” Richmond said. “He’s just consistent the whole time.”
After signing in November with Ohio, Serio is thrilled to continue his family’s Division I tradition and become teammates with his brother again.
“I’m super excited,” he said. “I’ve gone out there a couple times to visit my brother. All my future teammates were really cool. It’s going to be a fun time.”
West Aurora’s Dayne Serio, top, defends against Warren’s Royce Lopez during the 165-pound Class 3A fifth-place match at the State Farm Arena in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (Rob Dicker / The Beacon-News)
Serio did not always believe in his future in wrestling. He quit the sport for a year when he was young, but it eventually grew on him.
“I started making gains in sixth grade and getting a taste of success made me like it more,” Serio said. “In eighth grade, I placed at kids state, and then freshman year had a big influence on me.
“I did pretty well and I ended up one match away from making it to state, and that’s when I knew I could go somewhere if I really picked it up and worked harder.”
Serio did just that, and now, he’s headed to state as a title contender.
In his mind, there’s only one goal.
“Top of the podium,” he said. “I have to be relentless. No breaks. Give it everything I’ve got.”
