Grant senior Vince Jasinski has been pursuing a state title since his older sister Ayane reached the top of the podium in 2023.

To this day, Ayane Jasinski has cast a long shadow.

“I learned from her that it’s all hard work and how far you want to push yourself,” Vince Jasinski said. “She used to have double practices a day. It motivated me a lot, especially when she says she’s a state champion and used to brag about it.

“She will probably be there at state watching, and one of the first things I will say if I win state is ‘I did too.’”

A two-time state qualifier who placed fourth at 126 pounds in Class 3A last year, Jasinski (37-5) is more prepared than ever for the opportunity. He has lost only one match against in-state opponents this season and is ranked No. 1 at 144 in 3A by Illinois Matmen and the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association.

Jasinski, a Northern Iowa recruit, holds a single-season school record with 35 pins, and his next pin will be the 100th of his career. His string of achievements this season includes first place at Barrington’s Moore-Prettyman-Dunn Invitational, third place at the Cheesehead Invitational in Wisconsin and second place at the Lake County Invitational last week.

Grant’s Vince Jasinski, top, pins Lake Zurich’s Lincoln Riemer during a quarterfinal match in the 144-pound weight class at the Lake County Invitational in Fox Lake on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Rob Dicker / News-Sun)

Grant coach Mark Jolcover, who wrestled at Northern Iowa, said Jasinski has come a long way in the six years they’ve known each other.

“Vince loves the sport,” Jolcover said. “He’s a student of the game and takes it very seriously. I’ve seen huge growth in his maturity and the expectations he holds for himself through the years. He takes his craft very seriously with a businesslike approach day in and day out. Vince has done an exceptional job of changing the standard for our program.”

Grant senior Erik Rodriguez, a Central Michigan recruit who placed third at 138 in 3A last season and has more than 150 career wins, has wrestled with Jasinski since they were 5 years old and said Jasinski’s secret is his relentlessness.

“Vince is a very stingy wrestler,” Rodriguez said. “He makes you work for every point. Vince is very quick on his feet. He can get to his attacks quickly and smoothly, making it very hard to defend some of his shots.”

Grant’s Vince Jasinski, left, talks with coach Mark Jolcover before a quarterfinal match in the 144-pound weight class at the Lake County Invitational in Fox Lake on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Rob Dicker / News-Sun)

Grant senior Larry Quirk agreed with Rodriguez.

“Vince has an obsession with wrestling and the need to get better,” Quirk said. “Vince is one of the most competitive people I’ve ever met. He tries to get an edge over the competition in everything.

“He is one of the most gutsy yet high-IQ wrestlers I’ve seen on the mat. His ability to push the pace on his opponents and wear them down mentally is something he excels at.”

Jasinski’s rare in-state loss this season came at the Lake County Invitational. Jolcover thinks it’s the first time Jasinski has been pinned by an Illinois wrestler since his sophomore season.

“Last Saturday was disappointing, but I know what it’s going to do for him moving forward and propel him forward,” Jolcover said. “Sometimes, a loss is the best thing you need. No one is going to ask who won the Lake County Tournament at state.”

Grant’s Vince Jasinski reacts after winning a match in the 126-pound weight class during a Northern Lake County Conference dual meet against Grayslake Central in Fox Lake on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Mark Ukena / News-Sun)

Jasinski, who lost both of his matches at state during his sophomore season and just missed a top-three medal last season, has been there before.

“I’ve learned it’s a process and it won’t happen in one day or practice,” he said. “That helped me a lot to realize it will take some losses and they will teach me.

“Lake County made me realize no matter how good you are, you can always get caught in a position. I used that loss as a lesson, and it motivated me.”

Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/28/wrestling-grant-vince-jasinski/