Area well represented at state wrestling meet

Lemont, Lockport, Coal City bringing large contingents

When the spring postseason assignments were released there was one sport that didn’t get the clearance to conduct a state final that would be sanctioned by the IHSA because of COVID-19 concerns.

It was wrestling, a designated high-risk sport that was moved from its original spot as a winter sport to get more time for possible chance at a postseason.

That clearance never came, and when that become apparent the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association stepped in to offer those athletes denied an opportunity to compete in the IHSA postseason a chance to compete for state titles.

Utilizing a very similar structure to what the IHSA would have used, wrestlers have been competing in regionals and sectionals in an effort to qualify for the event hosted at the Springfield Convention Center.

Class 1A competition will be contested Thursday, followed by the Class 2A competition Friday and culminating with the 3A competition Saturday.

The area will be well represented in all three classes.

Class 3A

Lockport brings the largest area contingent in 3A with eight wrestlers making their way to the meet.

Nate Ramsey at 152 pounds and Jon Kratz at 195 will be advancing to the state meet after winning their respective sectional championships, while Andrew Blackburn-Forst received an automatic bid after his participation with Team Illinois Freestyle/Greco Duals.

At the last state meet, Blackburn-Forst finished fifth at 195.

Others heading to the state meet as sectional champions are Plainfield North’s Jacob Macatangay (126), Minooka’s Jack McClimon (160), Providence’s Billy Meiszner (120) and Lincoln-Way Central’s Jack Malito (113).

Joliet West, Joliet Central, Minooka, Lincoln-Way Central, Plainfield Central, Plainfield East, Plainfield North and Providence all will be represented by at least one wrestler in the event.

Class 2A

Lemont has one of the largest contingents of competitors at the state meet in 2A, as they send 11 to compete.

Sectional championships were won by Carter Mikolajcak (106), Jake Zator (152), Moe Khalil (182) and Devin Gonzalez (220).

Joliet Catholic also has a strong group set to go with six Hilltoppers advancing.

Sectional champions were won by Shay Korhorn (113), Logan Kuhel-Trim (126) and Dillon Johnston (285), and while Gylon Sims (106) didn’t claim a sectional title he does have a history of success at this level having taken second at 106 at the last state championships.

Morris will be represented by Bryce Claypool at 152.

Class 1A

Coal City will have a strong contingent of wrestlers on the mat in 1A, as the Coalers claimed four sectional championships.

Brant Widlowski (106), Connor Huston (152), Zachary Finch (160) and Gabe Ludes (172) anchor the seven-man contingent of Coal City wrestlers with high seeds after the sectional wins.

Aiden Wooters claimed a sectional title for Wilmington at 182 as part of a six-person contingent for the Wildcats.

Peotone sends six qualifiers to the meet, and Reed-Custer has a trio of performers. Dwight’s Dillon Sarff will compete at 138 as the Trojans lone qualifier. He finished seventh at 126 the last time a state meet was contested.