Charles Walker of Joliet Central, the Herald-News Boys Wrestler of the Year, topped a previously unbeaten wrestler to win the Class 3A state championship at 215.

Dozens of youth wrestlers from around the Ottawa/Streator/Morris area who had qualified in the previous weeks competed in a pair of Illinois' youth wrestling state tournaments this past weekend.

A multitude of the area's young wrestlers have advanced to various youth wrestling state tournaments being held in both Peoria and DeKalb this weekend.

No. 3 Coal City knocked off the two teams ranked ahead of it – flipping the script in the Class 1A final to beat No. 1 Vandalia – to win the program's second state title in three seasons. Meanwhile, Joliet Catholic placed third in Class 3A for its third trophy in four seasons.

Coal City blanked Chicago King 80-0 in dual-team sectionals Tuesday to punch its ticket back to state.

A total of 21 Herald-News area wrestlers placed between third and sixth to earn medals at the IHSA boys state wrestling finals at the University of Illinois on Saturday.

Gallery

The boys individual wrestling season comes to a close with titles bouts Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at State Farm Center in Champaign.

Joliet Catholic had nine wrestlers place in the top four while Lockport was second in the area with six advancing.

Morris's Paxton Valentine, Sycamore's Carson West, Sterling's Zyan Westbrook and Plano's Prince Amakiri all won championships at Saturday's IHSA Class 2A Washington Boys Wrestling Sectional.