CHAMPAIGN — Junior 138-pounder Tommy Banas is the elder statesmen for a Providence wrestling team that had six sophomores and a freshman reach the state podium in Class 2A.
The Celtics are certainly enjoying a resurgence now, but when Banas was set to make his high school decision, the program was undergoing hard times. He was the first of the current group of stars to buy in.
“I knew they had a plan for me at Providence and I knew there was something special here,” Banas said. “I believed in it. I just planted the seed.”
Banas’ individual growth has mirrored that of the program.
After making progress toward elite status his first two seasons, Banas broke through Saturday night, winning his first state championship at the State Farm Center.
“It feels amazing,” Banas said. “It’s the best feeling in the world. It took three years of hard work and dedication. I trusted the process and this is where it got me.”
Providence’s Max Mandac celebrates after completing his turnaround and winning the Class 2A state championship at 126 pounds at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (Rob Dicker / Daily Southtown)
Sophomores Max Mandac (126) and Justus Heeg (157) also won state titles for Providence. Heeg became a two-time Illinois champion and won his third title overall, having won a Minnesota high school championship as an eighth grader.
Christian Corcoran (113) and Jasper Harper (165) finished as runners-up for the Celtics, while Providence’s Lucas Forsythe (132) and Ameer Khalil (175), St. Rita’s Jack Hogan (144) and Oak Forest’s Austin Perez (150) took third.
Banas (44-7), meanwhile, beat Crystal Lake South’s Nathan Randle 7-4 in the finals. Banas finished fifth last season and sixth as a freshman. How did he make a big leap to the top of the podium?
“Don’t be scared,” Banas said. “You’ve got to be a fearless warrior. Go out there, have some fun and score some points. That’s what I did.”
Providence’s Justus Heeg, top, takes control against Mascoutah’s Brock Ross at 157 pounds in the Class 2A state title match at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (Rob Dicker / Daily Southtown)
Heeg was thrilled to see Banas fight his way to the pinnacle.
“I’m very excited for him,” Heeg said. “Last year, I won and he took fifth. This year, he jumped forward a bunch of levels to take that state title. It’s great to see. He worked really hard.”
Heeg (50-1) dominated at state, winning all four of his matches by technical fall, including the championship victory over Mascoutah’s Brock Ross.
Heeg pointed out that he drew inspiration from all of his fellow Celtics’ success.
Providence’s Tommy Banas, right, and Crystal Lake South’s Nathan Randle tangles at 138 pounds in the Class 2A state title match at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (Rob Dicker / Daily Southtown)
“Last year, I was out there by myself,” Heeg said. “This year, I had all my teammates here supporting me. It’s a lot more fun. It helps with momentum and it also helps my mindset.
“I see our other guys winning out there and it makes me want to win even more.”
Mandac (38-14) set the tone for the Celtics with his 8-3 win over IC Catholic’s Sammy Murante.
Mandac completed a fantastic turnaround after finishing 16-22 last winter as a freshman. It was his third time wrestling Murante this season. The Catholic League rivals split their first two meetings.
“Facing him twice, I learned if I stayed with my attacks, I could win the match,” Mandac said. “I wanted that matchup and I got it and I won it.
“Before the season, I never thought I would win state.”
Providence’s Luke Banas, bottom, and St. Rita’s Jack Hogan wrestle at 144 pounds in the Class 2A third-place match at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (Rob Dicker / Daily Southtown)
Providence’s success went beyond the champs as Banas wasn’t the only medalist in his family. His brother, Luke, a sophomore, finished fourth at 144.
“It’s great to be here with him and have us both get on the podium,” Tommy said. “We’re getting each other better every single day in that room. It’s awesome.
“Everyone on our team puts in the work and we all did it together. It’s a brotherhood.”
Tommy Banas’s wrestling journey goes all the way back to age 4. He was hooked immediately.
“I think it’s the most disciplined sport ever,” he said. “You’ve got to be self-motivated. Someone else can’t push you every day. You’ve got to push yourself.
“Wrestling really teaches you a lot of stuff in life and I love it.”
