Oliver and Otis Davis have a bit of a sibling rivalry going on, to be sure. But the Brother Rice wrestling teammates are also each other’s biggest supporters.

And with only one season together, senior Oliver and freshman Otis wanted to make the most of it. The brothers earned the opportunity to compete together one more time at the state finals.

“It means a lot since it’s my senior year and we won’t get to experience this together again,” Oliver said. “It’s really cool to be going down there together this one year where it was possible.”

The Davis brothers both survived the blood round at the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional and placed fourth, Oliver at 144 pounds and Otis at 165.

With that, they punched their tickets to the state meet, which was set for Thursday through Saturday at the State Farm Center in Champaign.

Brother Rice coach Jan Murzyn has seen the Davis duo fight for success on the wrestling mat, even when that means sometimes fighting each other.

Brother Rice’s Otis Davis, right, works against Sandburg’s Obaida Hasan in the 165-pound consolation semifinal of the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

“The total picture of it all is a beautiful thing,” Murzyn said. “But don’t kid yourself, there’s some head-butting between the two. At the end of the day, though, they’re there for each other.

“We’re a brotherhood at Brother Rice and it’s great to see them succeed together.”

The way Otis Davis sees it, he and his older brother might get on each other’s nerves sometimes, but they’re constantly providing each other with motivation.

“Sometimes, we curse at each other, but we fire each other up,” Otis said. “We always tell each other that if we want to go to state together, we’ve got to work extra hard.

Brother Rice’s Oliver Davis, top, works over Hinsdale Central’s Jonathan Martinez in the 144-pound consolation semifinal of the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

“Now, we made it to state.”

Not without some nervous moments for Oliver watching his younger brother get taken down early in his consolation semifinal match against Sandburg’s Obaida Hasan, with a trip to state on the line. Otis eventually ran away with a 21-9 major decision.

“Most of the time I trust him, but in that blood-round match, it got kind of scary,” Oliver said. “He got put on his back like three times, but it was good to see him pull it off.

“I want Otis to be everything I was and better. He can be great if he chooses to make himself be great.”

Brother Rice’s Otis Davis, right, gains control Sandburg’s Obaida Hasan in the 165-pound consolation semifinal of the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Otis Davis (27-8) has had success at 165, an atypical spot for a freshman, holding his own against mostly older competition.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been doing it,” Otis said. “When I was in third grade, I was wrestling sixth graders, so I’m used to going against older people.”

Of course, that all started with taking on Oliver.

“I was his practice dummy when I was 2 years old,” Otis said. “I’d go to all his tournaments and just run around is what my dad would say. But he said I’d cheer him on and motivate him and just be a good brother. Then I started wrestling and following in his footsteps.”

Otis is determined to make a run to the podium at state after watching Oliver do just that last season, finishing fifth in Class 2A at 138.

Brother Rice’s Otis Davis, top, tries to take down Sandburg’s Obaida Hasan in the 165-pound consolation semifinal of the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Now, the Crusaders are up in Class 3A and the challenge is bigger. Oliver (34-7) is ranked No. 5 at 144 by the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association.

He feels ready for state after getting through a loaded sectional that featured wrestlers ranked Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7.

“I know that whoever I wrestle down there, I can win,” Oliver said. “In the semifinals, it might get tough, but I know I can do it.”

And he knows Otis will be there to cheer him on. And maybe throw in a little smack talk.

“Sometimes, it’s just friendly banter between us,” Oliver said. “Then when the matches come, we know when to lift each other up.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/18/oliver-otis-davis-brother-rice-wrestling/