CHAMPAIGN — Mount Carmel’s Liam Kelly found himself in overtime with a state championship on the line. A pressure situation? Sure. But compared to the first half of the month, when Kelly’s ability to compete was up to lawyers and judges, this was nothing. This was in his hands. And in the bigg est moment, Kelly was able to put things into perspective in his mind as well. “I just went out there and wrestled the best I can,” Kelly said. “Win or lose, my parents are still going to love me, my coaches are still going to be there. I just had to go out there and do my best.” Kelly, a senior who is headed to Illinois, came through in his future home arena Saturday night. He took control in overtime to earn an 8-1 win over Rockton Hononegah’s Bruno Cassioppi in the Class 3A 165-pound championship match at the State Farm Center. Mount Carmel’s Liam Kelly, left, earns points on Rockton Hononegah’s Bruno Cassioppi at 165 pounds in the Class 3A state title match at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (Rob Dicker / Daily Southtown) I certainly wasn’t surprised to see Kelly remain calm and collected in the spotlight. He’s been doing that all month. This was Kelly’s second straight state title, and one that seemed like he wouldn’t get the chance to win after he wasn’t allowed to compete Jan. 31 at the Morton Regional due to a skin condition which Kelly said is granuloma annulare, a noncontagious condition that Kelly has had for years, has a doctor’s note for and had always been allowed to wrestle with in the past. Kelly’s father, Michael, filed suit against the Illinois High School Association and won, allowing Kelly’s entry into the Hinsdale Central Sectional, where he won his weight class on Feb. 14. In the end, Kelly shook off all the drama and ended up back on top at state. “It’s been a roller coaster, for sure,” Kelly said. “It’s definitely been tough, but I’ve been staying grounded and talking to my parents and coaches. I definitely wouldn’t be here without them. “I grew a lot in my faith and I got mentally stronger during these last couple weeks.” When it’s all said and done, the courtroom drama just makes for an even more interesting story for Kelly to tell his family and friends decades later when he recounts his wrestling career. But, wow, it sure was a chaotic month. Word about Kelly’s regional disqualification spread quickly that morning. I was covering the Rich Township Regional and was stunned to hear the news, then listened as the chatter increased among the fans as the day went on. Mount Carmel’s Liam Kelly, left, thwarts Rockton Hononegah’s Bruno Cassioppi at 165 pounds in the Class 3A state title match at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (Rob Dicker / Daily Southtown) It was the talk of the wrestling community and became a controversy that went beyond the sport. For good reason. I’m certainly no doctor, but Kelly had a note from one. And had been consistently cleared to compete. So ruling him out certainly was a rash — pun intended — decision by Morton officials and an athletic trainer who have since stayed silent on the matter. A flaw was also exposed with the IHSA’s inability to allow an appeal process to take place so evidence could be presented without things getting to court. Mount Carmel coach Alex Tsirtsis said it well at the sectional. “It was a nightmare for a while,” Tsirtsis said. “But at least they righted the wrong and we go forward from here.” Ultimately, common sense won the day. After that, nothing was going to stop Kelly from winning another championship. Brother Rice’s Oliver Davis, front, looks to escape from Joliet Catholic’s Matthew Laird at 144 pounds in the Class 3A third-place match at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (Rob Dicker / Daily Southtown) Brotherly love After Brother Rice freshman Otis Davis lost in the blood round at 165, his older brother, Oliver, had an extra push to finish the tournament strong. Oliver, a senior, finished third at 144 after placing fourth at the sectional. “Otis was really upset, so I had to go out there and win for him,” Oliver said. “It felt really good to win for me, my family, my brother and my teammates.” The family stories didn’t end there. State champs Justus Heeg and Tommy Banas of Providence shared the moment with their brothers. Judah Heeg, who wrestles for Lemont, and Providence’s Luke Banas both finished fourth. Lemont’s Judah Heeg, top, pushes back on IC Catholic’s Foley Calcagno at 190 pounds in the Class 2A third-place match at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (Rob Dicker / Daily Southtown) On the podium As usual, area athletes cleaned up in Champaign, bringing home 35 medals. Joliet Catholic’s Colton Schultz (113) and Nolan Vogel (157), Homewood-Flossmoor’s Chazz Robinson (126), Mount Carmel’s Justin Williamson (144) and Lincoln-Way Central’s Jalen Byrd (175) placed fourth in 3A. Fifth-place finishers included Mount Carmel’s Sebastian Gracia (106), Sandburg’s Brady Ritter (157), Lincoln-Way West’s Max Herman (165), Lincoln-Way East’s Colton Zvonar (190) and Brother Rice’s Dan Costello (215) in 3A, plus St. Rita’s Micah Spinazzola (165) and Oak Forest’s Jason Janke (175) in 2A. In sixth were Joliet Catholic’s Kane Robles (106) and Ryker Czubak (215), Andrew’s Nadeem Haleem (138) and Marist’s Tommy Fidler (150) in 3A. Now, it’s on to Bloomington for boys team and girls individual state. Expect more Southland success. ...read more read less