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Illinois Valley

BCR Wrestlers of the Year Honor Roll

Ryne Bird was a 2003 state runner-up. wrestling for Princeton High School. He left as all-time winningest Tiger with 160.wins, now ranked third and holds the career records for takedowns with 687. He now is an assistant coach at Bloomington High School.

Ryne Bird, a 2003 state runner-up, was the co-BCR Wrestler of the Year with teammate Brandon Nink, who was a state champion. (Princeton High School yearbook photo)

By Kevin Hieronymus

A roll call of BCR Wrestlers of the Year dating back to 1997:

2025 - Casey Etheridge, Augustus Swanson

2025 - Casey Etheridge, PHS

2024 - Ace Christiansen, PHS

2023 - Augie Christiansen, PHS

2022 - Ace Christiansen, PHS

2021 - Matthew Harris, PHS

2020 - Matthew Harris, PHS

2019 - Chase Tatum, PHS

2018 - Chase Tatum, PHS

2017 - Austin Wetsel, PHS

2016 - John Barnes, St. Bede

2015 - John Barnes, St. Bede

2014 - Austin Wetsel, PHS

2013 - James Peacock, St. Bede

2012 - Earl Towne, PHS

2011 - Reiter Bird, PHS

2010 - Dan Rucinski, St. Bede

2009 - Matt McClure, PHS

2008 - Ty Taylor, PHS

2007 - Ty Taylor, PHS

2006 - Zack Bird, PHS

2005 - Zack Bird, PHS

2004 - Steve Piper, PHS

2003 - Brandon Nink, Ryne Bird, PHS

2002 - Brian Taylor, PHS

2001 - Matt Seidel, PHS

2000 - Brian Taylor, Matt Seidel, PHS

1999 - Josh Taylor, PHS

1998 - Zach Anderson, PHS

1997 - Adam Wason, PHS

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Kevin Hieronymus

Kevin Hieronymus

Kevin has been sports editor of the BCR since 1986, covering Bureau County and IL Valley Sports. Was previously sports editor of the St. Louis Daily News and a regular contributor for the St. Louis Cardinals Magazine. He is a member of the IBCA and Illinois Valley Hall of Fames. He is one of 4 sportswriters from his tiny hometown Atlanta, IL