2021 NewsTribune Wrestling All-Area Team

Steven Benavidez, Princeton, jr.: The 106-pounder had a 20-9 record. In the Illinois Wrestlers Coaches and Officials Association postseason, he placed fifth at the Class 1A Sandwich Regional to advance to the sectional.

Dominic Bima, St. Bede, sr.: Bima had a strong postseason as he placed second in the 126-pound bracket at the IWCOA Class 1A Yorkville Christian Regional to advance to the sectional. Bima finished 10-6.

Connor Brooker, Putnam County-Hall, jr.: Brooker ranked No. 5 in the area in wins with a 23-8 record, which included nine pins. The 160-pounder placed fourth at the IWCOA Class 1A Yorkville Christian Regional to qualifier for the sectional.

Auggie Christiansen, Princeton, so.: Christiansen had another strong season, going 21-11. He placed fourth in the 132-pound bracket at the IWCOA Class 1A Sandwich Regional to earn a sectional berth.

Austin Christmann, La Salle-Peru, sr.: Christmann capped his career with a successful season. The 132-pounder went 26-8 and placed third at the IWCOA Class 2A Rock Island Regional to advance to the sectional.

JJ Davis, Putnam County-Hall, jr.: The Panther heavyweight was strong in the postseason as he placed fourth at the IWCOA Class 1A Yorkville Christian Regional to earn a sectional berth. He finished 12-12.

Ethan Fleming, St. Bede, sr.: Fleming won 78.9% of his matches as he went 15-4. The 182-pounder was the runner-up at the IWCOA Class 1A Yorkville Christian Regional to earn a sectional berth.

Drew Harp, Princeton, jr.: Harp had a solid season at 195 pounds for the Tigers, going 17-8. He placed fourth at the IWCOA Class 1A Sandwich Regional to earn a trip to the sectional.

Matthew Harris, Princeton, jr.: Harris had the area’s best postseason as he placed fourth at 126 pounds at the IWCOA Class 1A state meet to finish 25-8. He was runner-up at the Sandwich Regional and Sandwich Sectional.

Connor Lorden, La Salle-Peru, so.: No area wrestler won more than Lorden this season, as he went 35-4 with 31 wins coming via pin. He won the IWCOA Class 2A Rock Island Regional, placed second at the Geneseo Sectional and took fifth at the state meet.

Payne Miller, Princeton, fr.: Miller had a strong debut season, as he went 18-6. The heavyweight placed third at the IWCOA Class 1A Sandwich Regional to earn a sectional berth.

Rylan Poole, La Salle-Peru, sr.: Poole won a lot of matches for the Cavaliers this season, as he finished 25-9. The 220-pounder placed fifth at the IWCOA Class 2A Rock Island Sectional to earn a trip to sectionals.

James Sanchez, St. Bede, sr.: Sanchez capped his career with a solid season, as he went 15-10 for the Bruins. The 160-pounder was the runner-up at the IWCOA Class 1A Yorkville Christian Regional to earn a sectional berth.

Noah Setser, St. Bede, sr.: Setser wrestled well in his final season, as he went 13-8. The 138-pounder placed third at the IWCOA Class 1A Yorkville Christian Regional to advance to the sectional.