Six YHS athletes celebrate on National Signing Day

The Southern Illinois University-­Edwardsville wrestling roster will boast a pair of Yorkville graduates on the 2016-17 roster with Bryce Shewan’s recent announcement to join the Cougars next year.

Shewan, a two-time state qualifier, ended his high school wrestling career with a 45 win-season, which ties a single-season school record at Yorkville. He was named to the Class 3A All-State team with his fifth-place finish in the 182-pound weight class.

He joins Clayton Bass, a 2012 Yorkville graduate who recently completed his junior year with the team wrestling at 174 pounds.

Shewan also was a standout running back for the Foxes’ football team, but his decision to choose collegiate wrestling was not a difficult one. He was committed to the sport after he first stepped onto the mat as a seventh grader at Yorkville Middle School.

“After sophomore year, I knew I would wrestle,” Shewan said. “I think I was under the radar because I didn’t win a match at state last year. I got looks from Division II and Division III schools, but the Division I attention started when I did well at the Dvorak, and placing at state really helped because they knew I could perform well under big circumstances.”

Shewan expects to grow into the 184-pound weight class where he hopes to impact the Cougars’ lineup, under the direction of head coach Jeremy Spates.

“The guys were welcoming and I felt like a part of the team right away. It made me feel comfortable. I felt like it was a great atmosphere,” said Shewan, who plans to major in nursing.

Shewan was one of six Yorkville athletes who participated in National Signing Day on April 13. Other college-bound student athletes include Alex Noyola, who will join the St. Xavier men’s soccer team, Clarisa Perez, who will play women’s basketball at Aurora University, Jake Fiedler, who will play football at North Central College, Gabe Arroyo, who will run at Olivet Nazarene, and Cameron Wicker, who will play softball at Roosevelt University.