2023 Midwest Nationals showcased nearly 1,200 competitors
By Curt Herron
The LiUNA Midwest Nationals Wrestling Tournament that took place in Bloomington earlier this month featured its biggest turnout in recent years and the event that was co-sponsored by the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association again lived up to its reputation as being one of Illinois’ top tournaments for individuals of all age groups.
Nearly 1,200 competitors and 300 teams participated in the tournament, which was held for the second year in a row at Illinois Wesleyan University’s Shirk Center. That total eclipses the mark of 1,125 wrestlers who were on hand for the 2015 competition, which also took place at the same venue.
There were 77 champions in the boys competition, which featured the following grade divisions: 11th and 12th; 9th and 10th; seventh and eighth; fifth and sixth; third and fourth; and first and second. A total of 30 girls won titles in their six divisions, which were the same age groups as the boys. And there were eight title winners in the Men’s College/Open Division and four champions in the Women’s College/Open Division for a total of 119 champions overall.
Around 600 of the competitors earned medals for finishes of sixth or better. A total of 422 boys were medalists in six divisions while 115 girls won medals. There were 48 medalists in the men’s college/open division and 15 in the Women’s College/Open Division.
In the overall points, Alber Athletics won with 439 points while The Compound was second with 412.5 points and PSF Wrestling Academy placed third with 361 points. ISI (188), Bolingbrook Jr. Raiders (187), St. Louis Warrior (177), Built by Brunson (149), Lincoln-Way Wrestling Club (147), Fort Zumwalt Wrestling (144), Republic West (141) rounded out the top 15 teams in the field.
Team champions and runners-up in the various Boys divisions were: Fort Zumwalt Wrestling over Quincy 66-45.5 in 11th and 12th Grade; PSF Wrestling Academy over Sterling Elite 136-54 in 9th and 10th Grade; Bolingbrook Jr. Raiders over Alber Athletics 99-97 in 7th and 8th Grade; Alber Athletics over The Compound 91.5-83.5 in 5th and 6th Grade; The Compound over Alber Athletics 121-96 in 3rd and 4th Grade; and Built by Brunson and SJO Youth Wrestling Club tying with 71 points in 1st and 2nd Grade.
The top two teams in Men’s College/Open Division were PSF Wrestling Academy over Dubuque RTC 89-59.5.
Highland Bulldog Jr. Wrestling’s August Rottmann won titles in three divisions, taking first place in the Women’s College/Open Division at 158-165, in the Girls 11th and 12th Grade Division at 151-168 and in the 9th and 10th Grade Division at 165-177.
Boys champions in the 11th and 12th Grade Division who also won titles in the competition in 2022 were Hannibal, MO’s Austin Brown (106-116), Chatham Wrestling Club’s Drew Davis (122-130), Bolingbrook Jr. Raiders’ Harrison Konder (153-162), RWC’s Nolan Mrozowski (153-161), Southstrong’s Matty Lapacek (178-192) and Rock Island Wrestling B&B’s Andrew Marquez (193-216).
Other boys who repeated as Midwest Nationals champions were Mahomet-Seymour’s Marco Casillas (9th and 10th, 151-157), Alber Athletics’ Brendan Nardin (7th and 8th, 125-139), Bolingbrook Jr. Raiders Dawson Mack (7th and 8th, 129-133), The Compound’s Cameron Ramp (5th and 6th, 66-73), The Compound’s Kellan Spisok (3rd and 4th, 77-85) and Built by Brunson’s Welles Projansky (1st and 2nd, 89-100).
Girls title winners who also were champions in the 2022 tournament were Mt. Zion Wrestling’s Sydney Cannon (9th and 10th, 110-123), Ironhawk’s Aubrie Pehrson (9th and 10th, 124-135) and Alber Athletics’ Saya Hongmoungkhoune (7th and 8th, 84-98). After winning three titles last year, The Compound’s Valarie Hamilton (138-142) won in the Women’s College/Open Division to give her six titles in the competition since 2018.
Here’s a breakdown of the champions and medalists of the 2023 Midwest Nationals. Specific information about some of the Illinois champions in the Boys and Girls 11th and 12th and 9th and 10th Grade Divisions is also included in the following summary of top-six placewinners.
Boys 11th and 12th Grade Division
Championship matches for the Boys 11th and 12th Grade Division featured five Illinois individuals who also won Midwest National titles in 2022. They were Chatham Wrestling Club’s Drew Davis at 122-130, Bolingbrook Jr. Raiders’ Harrison Konder at 153-162, RWC’s Nolan Mrozowski at 153-161, Southstrong’s Matty Lapacek at 178-192 and Rock Island Wrestling B&B’s Andrew Marquez at 193-216.
122-130 – Drew Davis, Chatham Wrestling Club
Chatham Wrestling Club’s Drew Davis won 3-2 over Carbondale Wrestling Club’s Isaac Smith at 122-130.
Davis, a senior at Glenwood. is a two-time defending IHSA Class 2A champion. He took first at 113 last season to cap a 50-2 season and finished first at 106 in 2022 when he went 19-0. In addition, he went 32-3 and placed fourth at 106 in the 2021 IWCOA Open Finals. He’s his program’s only state champion and hopes to become its first four-time placewinner this season.
“I really just came here for fun,” Davis said. “It’s the offseason, so I didn’t have to wrestle, but I wanted to. I’m going to Fargo for Freestyle and Greco. I want to win it again and just be more dominant than I was last year when I had two losses. I’ve been working hard. We were good last year and we’re hoping to be better this year.”
153-162 – Harrison Konder, Bolingbrook Jr. Raiders
Bolingbrook Jr. Raiders’ Harrison Konder won 5-0 over Dee-Mack’s Gage Sweckard at 153-162.
Konder, who will be a senior at Downers Grove North, went 41-6 in 2023 and finished fifth at 152 in Class 3A. He also went 43-5 and placed fourth at 138 in 2022 and went 20-4 and took fifth at 138 in the IWCOA Open Finals in 2021, to give him three state medals, which is now the standard for the Trojan’s program.
153-161 – Nolan Mrozowski, RWC
RWC’s Nolan Mrozowski won 5-3 over Fort Zumwalt’s Koen Erickson at 153-161.
Mrozowski, a senior at Rochester, went 42-11 in 2023 and placed fifth at 145 in Class 2A to become his school’s second medalist and its highest finisher at the state finals.
“It’s a tough tournament,” Mrozowski said. “I won it last year and I knew that this year coming back it would be tough, so it feels good. I felt that I would do good this year but thought that there would be a target on my back since I won it last year. So I knew I had to come and compete.”
178-192 – Matty Lapacek, Southstrong
Southstrong’s Matty Lapacek won by fall in 2:27 over Republic West’s Maddox Wilkins at 178-192.
Lapacek, who will be a senior at Downers Grove South, finished 36-11 after advancing to the quarterfinals at 182 in Class 3A at the 2023 IHSA Finals. In his final season, he hopes to become the fourth Mustang to win a state title and the first to do so since 2008.
“I started off pretty steady, but then in the middle of the season, I started going down,” Lapacek said. “I wrestled at Mid-States in Whitewater and didn’t do too hot. But then I started picking it up toward the end and peaked at state.”
193-216 – Andrew Marquez, Rock Island Wrestling B&B
Rock Island Wrestling B&B’s Andrew Marquez won 10-2 over unattached Jacob Ruff at 193-216.
Marquez, who will be a senior at Rock Island, went 41-6 last season and took second place at 195 in Class 2A. Beside trying to become the latest in a long list of Rocks state champions, he’s also looking to be the program’s first two-time state finalist in 35 years.
“It was good,” Marquez said. “I tried my best and my goal was not to get scored on in the whole tournament, and that happened. It just felt good. The biggest goal right now is to be a state champion and the second goal is to be All-American at Fargo. Those are the biggest two that I want.”
The other 11th and 12th grade champion who also won a title at the 2022 Midwest Nationals was Hannibal, MO’s Austin Brown, who won by fall in 3:54 over Illinois Cornstars’ Ivan Munoz at 106-116.
Other Illinois champions
136-147 – Ian O’Connor, Illini Bluffs
Illini Bluffs’ Ian O’Connor won 4-2 in sudden victory over Iguana WC’s Austin Johnston at 136-147.
O’Connor, who will be a senior at Illini Bluffs, finished 45-9 in 2023 after losing in the quarterfinals at 132 in Class 1A. The grandson of 1994 IWCOA Hall of Fame coach Pat O’Connor, who started the Illini Bluffs program, and son of current Tigers coach Shawn O’Connor, hopes to add to the program’s recent highlights by two of his teammates, two-time state champion Paul Ishikawa, who graduated, and two-time runner-up Hunter Robbins, who also returns.
“It was a good win,” O’Connor said. “I made the finals last year and lost to a kid from Normal West (Evan Wiloock) and this year made the finals again against another Normal West kid and I won this year. We’ve had a couple of good years and had Paul as a state champ this year and had four guys down to Champaign so hopefully the three that are returning will all be back next year.”
148-154 – Brady Grennan, Big Game Wrestling Club
Big Game Wrestling Club’s Brady Grennan won 6-4 in sudden victory over PSF Wrestling Academy’s Dillon Hinton at 148-154.
Grennan, who will be a senior at Newman Central Catholic, went 13-5 and took fifth place at 126 in Class 1A in 2023 after going 44-2 and finishing third at 120 in 2022 and was 27-3 and placed third at 113 in the IWCOA Open Finals in 2021. He hopes to become the program’s fourth four-time medalist and one of its numerous state champions.
“I’m excited,” Grennan said. “I came into this tournament a little heavier than I would have liked to be. Me knowing that I was the toughest guy in the bracket helped me get through it. I think it’s good just to wrestle kids that you’ve never wrestled before and against styles that you’ve never seen, it’s just good to get used to that. The plan is to win the state championship this year and hopefully I’ll get it done in my last year to do it.”
162-169 – Maguire Hoeksema, Greg Gomez Trained
Greg Gomez Trained’s Maguire Hoeksema won by medical forfeit over Elite Wrestling Club’s Niko Duggan at 162-169.
Hoeksema, a Geneva graduate, will be attending Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He went 35-10 last season but was unable to advance from the rugged Class 3A Geneva Regional, after falling in both the semifinals and in the third-place match.
“I didn’t have the best high school season since I was in a tough regional,” Hoeksema said. “I’ve just been working really hard in the offseason with Greg and my coach at Carthage, coach (Alberto) Quiros, and I’ve trained there.I’ve been working hard and have the right diet and it’s paid off. I started off a little slow, but as soon as I got my first match down, I felt confident. They were close matches but it was about who wants to fight harder in the end. My semifinals and quarterfinals were both by one point.”
232-288 – Todd Smith, Quincy
Quincy’s Todd Smith won by fall in 0:55 over Mt. Zion’s Remington Hiser at 232-288.
Smith, who will be a sophomore at Quincy, went 37-13 in 2023 but was unable to advance from the Class 3A Normal Community Sectional. He was an IESA Class AA champion in 2022. He hopes to become the fourth individual from his program to win an IHSA title and fifth overall as well as the third to be a two-time medal winner.
“This was a high-competitive tournament and high-competitive wrestlers here, especially in the 11-12 bracket that are a lot older than me,” Smith said. “I wrestled kids from Wisconsin and Michigan and there was an ISI camp here last week where I wrestled kids from all across the country.”
The other two champions in the Boys 11th and 12th Grade Division were Olympus’ Hunter Luttrell, who won by fall in 2:45 over Young Guns WC’s Ethan Monson at 131-141 and Fort Zumwalt’s Chance Cole, who won 8-2 over Sterling Elite’s Thomas Tate at 170-179.
Taking third place in the Boys 11th and 12th Grade Division were BullTrained’s Reign Creech at 106-116, Oblong’s Ian Rosborough at 122-130, Comets WC’s Cody Strope at 131-141, Decatur LSA’s Rudy Bautista at 136-147, Crystal Lake Wizards’ Cole Porten at 148-154, Murphysboro’s Liam Fox at 153-162, Omega Training’s Alessio Pezzella at 153-161, unattached Zac Ritter at 162-169, Quincy’s Owen Uppinghouse at 170-179 and Bryor Newbold at 178-192, ISI’s Jared Werner at 193-216 and Mundelein’s Abisai Hernandez at 232-288.
Placing fourth in the Boys 11th and 12th Grade Division were Elite’s Mason Jones at 106-116, Belleville Little Devils’ Tyson Seibel at 122-130, Izzy Style’s Grant Madl at 131-141, Young Guns’ Wyatt Goossens at 136-147, Gladiator Elite WC’s Caleb Ohnesorge at 148-154, Mahomet-Seymour’s Gage Decker at 153-162, GCMS’s Carson Maxey at 153-161, Oregon’s Anthony Bauer at 162-169, Alber Athletics’ Eli Larson at 170-179, FZS’s JD Dunn at 178-192, Olympia’s Nolen Yeary at 193-216 and Mahomet-Seymour’s Camden Harms at 232-288,
Finishing in fifth place in the Boys 11th and 12th Grade Division were Streator’s Nicholas Pollet at 106-116, FZS’s Nickalaus Baker at 122-130 and Zack Tihen at 131-141, Hoffman Estates’ Alazar Eyob at 136-147, Murphysboro’s Bryce Edwards at 148-154, unattached Isaac Decker at 153-162, Purler’s Nick Baer at 153-161, Fort Zumwalt’s Jeric Gumahin at 162-169, Iguana WC’s Maddox Kirts at 170-179, Danville’s Phillip Shaw IV at 178-192, Kewanee’s Alejandro Duarte at 193-216 and Fort Zumwalt’s Junior Rudd at 232-288.
Claiming sixth place in the Boys 11th and 12th Grade Division were Morris’ Brandon Anderson at 106-116, Purler’s Brayden Belding at 122-130, ISI’s Douglas Phillips at 131-141, Downers Grove WC’s Michael Schaefer at 136-147, Lincoln Community’s Jacob Lawrence at 148-154, Elk Grove Village’s Anthony Macina at 153-162, PSF WA’s Braden Johnson at 153-161, Relentless’ Nick Cheshier at 162-169, Olympus’ Brandon Burchett at 170-179, Southstrong’s Alex Auernhamer at 178-192, PSF WA’s Mason Randall at 193-216 and Nothwest Lions’ Jeffrey Harrison at 232-288.
Boys 9th and 10th Grade Division
Marco Casillas, who will be an eighth grader at Mahomet-Seymour Junior High, repeated as a champion at the Midwest Nationals after finishing first at 151-157 in the Boys 9th and 10th Grade Division.
151-157 – Marco Casillas, Mahomet-Seymour
The lone returning champion who won a title in the Boys 9th and 10th Grade Division was Mahomet-Seymour’s Marco Casillas, who won 7-3 over Quincy’s Brody Baker at 151-157.
Casillas is an eighth grader at Mahomet-Seymour Junior High. Earlier this year, he won the IESA championship at 145 in Class AA. His brother, Mateo, capped his career at Mahomet-Seymour by capturing the title at 195 in Class 2A to conclude a 54-1 season. The three-sport standout will continue his athletic career playing baseball at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
“I also won state last year,” Casillas said. “I knew that it was going to be a challenge to be against the ninth and tenth graders but I just wrestle to the best of my ability and do what I can do. I want to try to be better than him (Mateo).”
Other Illinois individuals who won championships in the Boys 9th and 10th Grade Division were:
101-106 – Augustus Swanson, Young Guns Wrestling Club
Young Guns Wrestling Club’s Augustus Swanson won by fall in 2:46 over FZS Bulldogs’ Kanyon Shurtz at 101-106.
Swanson, a sophomore at Princeton, went 43-10 earlier this year and advanced to the IHSA Class 1A Finals at 106. Swanson hopes to eventually become the seventh individual to win a title and seventh to win multiple medals for the Tigers.
108-118 – Rocky Seibel, Belleville Little Devils
Belleville Little Devils’ Rocky Seibel won 15-3 over Hammond Bishop Noll’s Francisco Rodriguez at 108-118.
Seibel, who will be a junior at Belleville West, posted a 35-6 record this year and qualified for the IHSA Class 3A Finals at 106. He hopes to become the eighth individual from the program to win a state championship.
115-128 – Bradley Ruckman, PSF Wrestling Academy
PSF Wrestling Academy’s Bradley Ruckman won by fall in 2:37 over Decatur LSA’s Clinton VerHeecke at 115-128.
Ruckman, who is a Civic Memorial junior, went 36-10 and took fourth place in Class 2A at 106 in 2023 after going 43-9 and finishing sixth at 106 in 2022. He hopes to join his 2023 teammate, Abe Wojcikiewicz, as the fifth individual from his program to win a state championship and also become their fourth three-time medalist.
“It feels pretty good, Ruckman said. “I came in here and I knew that it was going to be tough and I was hoping for first and I got it. It gives me some confidence and I believe in myself a lot. I had a pulled muscle in my back and I just wrestled through it and wrestled as hard as I could and did what I did. I hope to get a state title.”
119-122 – Ryan Hanson, McHenry Wrestling Club
McHenry Wrestling Club’s Ryan Hanson won 12-3 over Relentless’ Tyler Lockhart at 119-122.
Hanson, who will be a junior at McHenry, went 36-12 and qualified for the IHSA Class 3A Finals at 106 in 2023. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of recently-graduated teammate Chris Moore, who took first place at 170 to become their program’s first state champion.
“It feels pretty good to come in in the offseason and get some good tournaments in and good matches and get some wins,” Hanson said. “It’s good to get motivation from this to go to Fargo and go to state next year and have a good season. I tried to wrestle as smart as possible and try not to give up as many points as possible, I just wanted to wrestle smart and safe.”
125-131 – Dillon White, PSF Wrestling Academy
PSF Wrestling Academy’s Dillon White won by fall in 0:43 over Morris’ Carter Skoff at 125-131.
White, who will be a junior at Mt. Vernon junior, went 40-6 and lost in Class 2A quarterfinals at 120 to fall one win shy of a medal. He also won a Midwest Nationals title in 2015 at 47-51 in the 1st and 2nd Grade Division. He’d like to become the Rams’ eighth medal winner, third finalist and initial champion.
“It feels really good,” White said. “I had a great tournament this week. No one scored a point on me and I had all pins in the first period. It feels amazing, especially getting ready to go to Fargo, it really boosts my confidence. Alejandro Wajner, Michael Pixley and Tad Cravens all came in two years ago and really turned around our program. Before, they were going to actually shut down our program because no one was going out to wrestle any more. So they really turned our whole city around.”
133-140 – Brandon Green, PSF Wrestling Academy
PSF Wrestling Academy’s Brandon Green won by fall in 1:39 over Republic West’s Keaton Overcast at 133-140.
Green, who will be a sophomore at Roxana, went 35-5 and fell one win shy of winning a medal at 126 in IHSA 1A Fiinals. In 2022, he won the IESA Class A title at 119. He hopes to become the fourth Shells wrestler to win a title and their eighth individual to win two medals.
“In my freshman year, I slacked off a little bit, but during the summer, I’ve been training real hard,” Green said. “Going from eighth grade to freshman year, I won state, but then I just slacked off. So I got the mindset for my sophomore year and gave it more thought and ended up training real hard and it’s showing.”
140-148 – Brock Ross, Mascoutah
Mascoutah’s Brock Ross won by technical fall over Sterling Elite’s Landon Kenney at 140-148.
Ross, who will be a sophomore at Mascoutah, didn’t compete in the state series in 2023, His program has had eight medal winners, which includes 2023 Class 2A 132 champion Santino Robinson. Ross won the IESA AA title at 119 in 2022.
“I thought it was a pretty fun tournament and there was good competition here, for sure,” Ross said. “You had to wrestle hard to win and make sure that your cardio was good.”
143-156 – Zachary Montez, Blue Line Training Academy
Blue Line Training Academy’s Zachary Montez won 10-1 over Naperville North’s Tyler Sternstein at 143-156.
Montez, who will be a junior at Geneseo, finished with a 52-3 record after taking third place at 132 in the IHSA Class 2A Finals and also helped the 22-3 Maple Leafs to a fourth-place trophy in the IHSA Dual Team Finals, their third in program history and first since 2014. He also went 40-6 and took fourth place at 113 in 2022. He hopes to become his program’s third three-time medalist as well as its third individual to win a state championship.
187-207 – Maddux Anderson, Blue Line Training Academy
Blue Line Training Academy’s Maddux Anderson won by fall in 1:39 over Francis Howell Central’s Samuel Golden at 187-207.
Anderson, who will be a junior at Orion, went 40-14 and qualified for the IHSA Finals in Class 1A at 195. He hopes to become the seventh individual from his program to win a state championship.
“I thought I wrestled pretty good,” Anderson said. “Coming in here, I didn’t know what to expect since this was my first national tournament. The guys were pretty solid and a lot better than I thought they were going to be. There were kids that I wrestle all of the time but there were kids here from Missouri and Indiana that I’ve never wrestled before. This is a big accomplishment for me. Last year, I didn;t have the season that I wanted to, I qualified for state but didn’t end up placing. So taking first place at nationals is a big thing for me.”
207-229 – Ethan Miller, Westville
Westville’s Ethan Miller won 3-0 over Dubuque RTC’s Teigen Moreno at 207-229.
Miller, who will be a sophomore at Westville, went 20-9 in 2023 and lost in the semifinals and third-place match at the Class 1A Lawrenceville Regional to miss advancing to the Carterville Sectional. He ultimately hopes to become his program’s eighth medalist and third individual to win a state championship.
The top-two in round robin competition of the Boys 9th and 10th Grade Division were ISI’s Kristian Declercq over Midwest Central WC’s Gabe Marella at 81-100 and Southstrong’s Jose Cruz over Streator’s Tyler Barbee at 231-288.
Boys 9th and 10th Grade Division champions from other states included: Toss Em Up WA’s Co’ji Campbell by fall in 1:06 over Cerberus’ Daylan Sexton at 117-125; Elite Force’s Luie Acosta-Tackett 12-5 over PSF WA’s Logan Riggs at 132-140; Unattached Brayden Pillars 7-5 over Quincy’s Gunnar Derhake at 148-163; Ste. Genevieve’s Evan Winters 4-2 over Christian Brothers’ Tanner Faulkner at 163-173 and Fort Zumwalt’s Deacon Moran 7-2 over Naperville WC’s Henry Rydwelski at 171-187.
Taking third place in the Boys 9th and 10th Grade Division were Cerberus’ Zach Francis at 81-100, The Compound’s Jackson Soney at 101-106, Iguana WC’s Brady Mouser at 108-118, TJ Trained’s Harrison Dea at 115-128, Washington’s Noah Woods at 117-125, Brawlers’ Blake Arseneau at 119-122, Decatur LSA’s Garrett VerHeecke at 125-131, unattached Bodee Fathauer at 132-140, Alber Athletics’ Lucas Nelson at 133-140, Rock Island Wrestling B&B’s Antonio Parker at 140-148, Clifton Central’s Gianni Panozzo at 143-156, Oswego’s Ethan Essick at 148-163, Built by Brunson’s Charlie Cross at 151-157, Omega Training’s Michael Brannigan at 163-173, Relentless’ Cooper Bode at 171-187, Republic West’s Chase Hicks at 187-207 and Shelbyville’s Andre Townsend at 207-229.
Finishing in fourth place in the Boys 9th and 10th Grade Division were Morris’ Alex Hughes at 81-100, Washington’s Symon Woods at 101-106, PSF Matmonks’ Kayson Duffney at 108-118, Hannibal’s Austin Brown at 115-128, Sterling Elite’s Zyan Westbrook at 117-125, Lincoln-Way WC’s Carter DiBenedetto at 119-122, EBF Rockets’ Gage Spurgeon at 125-131, Metamora’s Grady Neal at 132-140 and Connor Graham at 133-140, Northwest Lions’ Evan Porter at 140-148, PSF WA’s Lyndon Thies at 143-156, Hoopeston Area WC’s Ayden Larkin at 148-163, Hurricane WC’s Michael Hodge III at 151-157, South Putnam’s Tyler Sandusky at 163-173, Built by Brunson’s Shane Onixt at 171-187, Bomber WC’s Hunter Crabtree at 187-207 and Quincy Notre Dame’s Ryan Darnell at 207-229.
Claiming fifth place in the Boys 9th and 10th Grade Division were Dixon WC’s Jack Ragan at 101-106, BullTrained’s Paxton Crane at 108-118, University High’s Joshua Butler at 115-128, Alber Athletics’ Landon Blanton at 117-125, Illinois Cornstars’ Luke Munsterman at 119-122, Olympus’ Blaine Kimery at 125-131, Elmhurst’s Robert Martinelli at 132-140, Naperville North’s Benjamin Messier at 133-140, Shelbyville Junior WC’s Nate Sanders at 140-148, Mahomet-Seymour’s A.J. Demos at 143-156, Camp Point’s Konnor Bush at 148-163, Kewanee’s Benjamin Taylor at 151-157, Ascension WA’s Payton Chanerl at 163-173, Alber Athletics’ Oliver McPeek at 171-187, Roxana’s Robert Watt at 187-207 and Gladiator Elite WC’s Bryan Madinger, Jr. at 207-229.
Placing sixth in the Boys 9th and 10th Grade Division were Monmouth-Roseville’s Caleb Dillard at 101-106, Edwardsville’s Tyler Perry at 108-118, EBF Rockets’ Brett Johnson at 115-128, Mahomet-Setmour’s Colton McClure at 117-125, Sterling Elite’s Cael Lyons at 119-122, Quincy’s Wyatt Boeing at 125-131, Corn Jerkers’ Rasiah Jones at 132-140, The Foundation’s Shay Westhoff, Jr. at 133-140, PSF WA’s Kobey Elkins at 140-148, Team 312’s Van Grasser at 143-156, Quincy’s Eli Roberts at 148-163, Gladiator Elite WC’s Caden Frey at 151-157, Team Nazar’s Landon Heitmeier at 163-173, SBS’ Zakery Wrobel at 171-187, unattached Jaylen Crowder at 187-207 and Dubuque RTC’s Elijah Leota at 207-229.
Boys 7th and 8th Grade Division
Alber Athletics’ Brendan Nardin and Bolingbrook Jr. Raiders’ Dawson Mack both repeated as champions at the Midwest Nationals after taking first at their respective weight classes in the Boys 7th and 8th Grade Division. Nardin was first at 125-139 while Mack took first at 129-133.
Championship matches in the Boys 7th and 8th Grade Division featured: Illinois Cornstars’ Jake Munsterman by fall in 2:30 over Alber Athletics’ Treyden Diduch at 63-79; RT Elite’s Shane Rochon 4-0 over PSF WA’s Cohen Sweely at 103-109; Coal City’s Cooper Morris 4-0 over Team Hammer’s Luke Cline at 109-116; Cerberus’ Blake Luttell 4-1 over Alber Athletics’ Benjamin Nadig at 116-127; Demolition’s Thomas Banas 2-0 in sudden victory over Bolingbrook Jr. Raiders’ Brady Ritter at 123-133; Alber Athletics’ Brendan Nardin 4-2 over ISI’s Aiden Quevedo at 125-139; Bolingbrook Jr. Raiders’ Dawson Mack 3-1 over Beat the Streets Chicago’s Ethan Sonne at 129-133; and Lincoln-Way WC’s Ethan Harvey by fall in 2:00 over Maritime WA’s Charles O’Malley at 139-152.
The other title matches for the Boys 7th and 8th Grade Division included: Bolingbrook Jr. Raiders’ Kaden Meyer by fall in 1:41 over Morton Youth’s Colt McKee at 152-164; Red Raiders’ Carter Hintz by fall in 1:45 over Southern Illinois Bulldogs WC’s Daniel Jackson at 165-184; Delta WC’s Jeremy Carver 6-3 over Bonhomme’s Wyatt Dannegger at 80-90; The Compound’s Mason Soney 3-1 over Lincoln-Way WC’s Brady Glynn at 89-99; and Blue Line Training Academy’s Landen Vincent 4-2 over The Compound’s Landen Lage at 96-104. Top-two finishers in round robin competition were Morris’ Malachi Congo over Clifton Central’s Josh McCurry at 187-207; Southstrong’s Christopher Cali, Jr. over unattached Christopher Damitz at 215-228; and Taylorville’s Brock Walton over Calvert City’s Prosper Livingston-Holmes at 232-261.
Claiming third-place finishes in the Boys 7th and 8th Grade Division were Englewood Live Wire’s Kamari Tate at 63-79, Aviators’ Isaac Foster at 103-109, Lincoln-Way WC’s Shane Stream at 109-116, Beat the Streets’ Midway’s Josiah Willis at 116-127, Izzy Style’s Aiden Arnett at 123-133, Young Guns WC’s Chase Krantz at 125-139, EBF Rockets’ Gage Spurgeon at 129-133, Beat the Streets Midway’s Arkhail Griffin-Edwards at 139-152, Red Raiders’ Jasper Hintz at 152-164, Maritime WA’s Rage Henderson at 165-184, United Junior High’s Vann Olcott at 187-207, Iguana WC’s Zavian Turner at 215-228, Vandalia Junior High’s Brody Jay at 236-261, Alber Athletics’ Brodey Lewis at 80-90, Hurricane WC’s Jaden Bradley at 89-99 and Caravan Kids’s Justin Forbes at 96-104.
Finishing fourth in the Boys 7th and 8th Grade Division were nWo WC’s Aden Spinelli at 63-79, TJ Trained’s Cooper Chester at 103-109, AWA’s Aidan Peters at 109-116, St. Louis Warrior’s Carson Owens at 116-127, Tremont’s Trip Pitts at 123-133, Englewood Live Wire’s Davian Hall at 125-139, Crystal Lake Wizards’ Gavin Nischke at 129-133, Patton Trained’s Benjamin Mullins at 139-152, Kewanee’s Ace LaFollette at 152-164, Coal City’s Brody Dorazio at 165-184, Mahomet-Seymour’s Ashton Lamb at 187-207, Kewanee’s Juan Zepeda at 236-261, Lincoln-Way WC’s Christian Corcoran at 80-90, Rochester’s Pierce Bultmann at 89-99 and Rock Island Wrestling B&B’s Maricio Parker at 96-104.
Taking fifth in the Boys 7th and 8th Grade Division were Natural Athlete WC’s Kevin Bisonaya at 63-79, Vandalia Junior High’s Elijah Mabry at 103-109, Fort Zumwalt’s Patrick Provost at 109-116, Izzy Style’s Brock Claypool at 116-127, Kell Bros.’ Brody Kell at 123-133, The Compound’s Brayden Manning at 125-139, Team Nazar’s Tavin Bomkamp at 129-133, Olympia’s Kaden Collins at 139-152, Mt. Zion Kids WC’s Hunter Swaggerty at 152-164, Republic West’s Ethan Montiel at 165-184, Bolingbrook Jr. Raiders’ Julian Medina at 80-90, Blue Line Training’s Rhyis Polenske at 89-99 and Hurricane WC’s Julian Hernandez at 96-104.
Placing sixth in the Boys 7th and 8th Grade Division were Mahomet-Seymour’s Myles Hartzler at 63-79, Mt. Zion’s Sammy Toth at 103-109, Aviators’ Jayden Cornell at 109-116, Yorkville WC’s Joshua Stockl at 116-127, Team Nazar’s Mason Boulanger at 123-133, Alber Athletics’ Samuel Sikora at 125-139, Downers Grove WC’s Christian Chiarelli at 129-133, Decatur LSA’s Caleb Berg at 139-152, Alber Athletics’ Noah Stout at 152-164, Bolingbrook Jr. Raiders’ Noah Greene at 165-184, Rock Island Wrestling B&B’s Angelo Parker at 80-90, Olympus’ Christopher Moore at 89-99 and Relentless’ Camden Spiniolas at 96-104.
Boys 5th and 6th Grade Division
The Compound’s Cameron Ramp won a championship at the Midwest Nationals for the third year in a row after finishing first at 66-73 in the Boys 5th and 6th Grade Division. He won titles in both the Boys 5th and 6th Grade and 3rd and 4th Grade Divisions in 2022 and 2021 in the event to give him a total of five in the past three years.
Championship matches for the Boys 5th and 6th Grade Division featured: Englewood Live Wire’s Giovanni Nix 18-5 over St. Louis Warrior’s Miguel Sanders at 59-66; The Compound’s Cameron Ramp by fall in 2:32 over Young Guns’ Colt Roeder at 66-73; The Compound’s Connor Collins 5-1 over The Compound’s Isaac Showalter at 74-78; St. Louis Warrior’s Dominick Turner 7-0 over Demolition’s Cole Lemberg at 76-82; Beat the Street Midway’s Obadiah Willis by fall in 0:53 over Alber Athletics’ Maddux Rabczak at 83-88; and Toss Em Up WA’s Kiernan Delaney 6-0 over Combative Sports’ Carl Weidner at 88-97.
Other title matches for the Boys 5th and 6th Grade Division included: Patton Trained’s Rylan Poeta 4-0 over Bolingbrook Jr. Raiders’ Lincoln Mack at 97-105; nWo WC’s Maximus Pearch by fall in 2:00 over Mt. Zion Kids WC’s Connor Misner at 106-117; and Maritime WA’s Titan Henderson by fall in 1:33 over Built by Brunson’s Owen Floral at 119-131. Top two placers in round robin were Quincy’s Harlin Derhake over Demolition’s Dominic Airoldi at 147-157; and unattached Jacob Pyles over Eureka’s Jackson Schneider at 158-165.
Third-place finishers for Boys 5th and 6th Grade Division were Southern Illinois Bulldogs’ Cobey Stulce at 59-66, St. Louis Warrior’s Cahree Smart at 66-73, ISI’s Kaden Joustra at 74-78, Purler’s Jaxon Jundt at 76-82, Alber Athletics’ Landon Jaski at 83-88, Maritime WA’s Case Simmons at 88-97, Alber Athletics’ Tavarius Briar at 97-105, Aviators’ Isaac Foster at 106-117, Jr. Pirates’ Trevor Henning at 119-131 and Lion’s Den WA’s Cameron Travis at 158-165.
Taking fourth in the Boys 5th and 6th Grade Division were Gladiator Elite WC’s Camden Chapman at 59-66, St. Louis Warrior’s Braden Edwards at 66-73, Bolingbrook Jr. Raiders’ Daniel Macatangay at 74-78, Alber Athletics’ Elijah Nadig at 76-82, Mt. Zion Kids WC’s Maison Chandler at 83-88, Oregon’s Carson Benesh at 88-97, Crystal Lake Wizards’ Mason Porten at 97-105, Ellsworth RTC’s Jase Ites at 106-117 and Alber Athletics’ Briar McPeek at 119-131.
Fifth-place finishers in the Boys 5th and 6th Grade Division were FZS Bulldogs’ Everett Hebisen at 59-66, Oak Forest Warriors’ Alejandro Gomez at 66-73, Republic West’s Matthew Anderson at 74-78, Riverdale’s Cole Smith at 76-82, Toss Em Up WA’s Diego Rea at 83-88, Region WA’s Ethan Alvarez at 88-97, Alton Little Redbirds’ Jacob Sutphin at 97-105, First There’s Jordan Bradley at 106-117 and Harvard WC’s Colton Moreno at 119-131.
Taking sixth place in the Boys 5th and 6th Grade Division were G2’s Bryce Westerberg at 59-66, Milford’s Greyson Tracy at 66-73, Dwight’s Alex Lapitan at 74-78, Ironhawk’s Nolan Pehrson at 76-82, ISI’s Hayden Bessette at 83-88, Alber Athletics’ Torin McPeek at 88-97, Southern Illinois Bulldogs WC’s Dominic Goodman at 97-105, Sparta Jr. Bulldogs’ Braxton Glodo at 106-117 and Waukegan Bulldog Elite’s Liam Scholle at 119-131.
Boys 3rd and 4th Grade Division
The Compound’s Kellan Spisok was a champion at the Midwest Nationals for the third year in a row after taking first place at 77-85 in the Boys 3rd and 4th Grade Division.
Title matches in the Boys 3rd and 4th Grade Division included: Alber Athletics’ Ethan Wagner 4-0 over Demolition’s Wyatt McClain at 52-58; The Compound’s Kellan Spisok 6-0 over The Compound’s Colton Zabinski at 77-85; Alber Athletics’ William Zapf 7-0 over Alber Athletics’ Dominic Englese at 87-96; Ringers’ Ian Weber 9-3 over Martin Mean Machine’s Landon Belka at 59-65; St. Louis Warrior’s Landon Edwards 6-0over unattached BrocLee Butman at 66-70; and St. Louis Warriors’ Cayden Mango by fall in 0:39 over Team Owls’ Treyten Embrey at 69-77.
Finishing in the top-two in round robin competition in the Boys 3rd and 4th Grade Division were Cincinnati Elite WA’s Charlie Maiani over Moline’s Noble Steen at 118-123; Taylorville’s Jack Donovan over McHenry WC’s Andrew Phillips at 127-134; and Lion Den WA’s Cameron Travis won the title at 158-158.
Claiming third place in the Boys 3rd and 4th Grade Division were The Compound’s Kayleigh Vest at 52-58, FH Jr. Viking’s Maxwell Corley at 77-85, Palmyra Youth WC’s Keynu Neiswender at 87-96, Vandalia Junior High’s Craig Jay at 118-123, Lion’s Den WA’s Scott Kilmer at 59-65, The Compound’s Kolt Palmer at 66-70 and ISI’s Gideon Ayers at 69-77.
Finishing in fourth place in the Boys 3rd and 4th Grade Division were Southern Illinois Bulldogs WC’s Degan Stulce at 52-58, Alton Little Redbirds’ Liam Darr at 77-85, PSF WA’s Matthew Smith at 87-96, The Compound’s Drake Melton at 59-65, Raise the Level WC’s Dreyden Simpson at 66-70 and Force Elite WC’s Oz Bellamy at 69-77.
Finishing in fifth place in the Boys 3rd and 4th Grade Division were St. Louis Warrior’s Chasen Burke at 52-58 and Raheem Busby at 77-85, Quincy’s Bryar Smith at 87-96, Lincoln-Way WC’s Michael Fangerow at 59-65, Toss Em Up WA’s Malik Mayfield at 66-70 and Trevian WC’s Landon Delisi at 69-77.
Taking sixth in the Boys 3rd and 4th Grade Division were Sandwich Little Indians’ Blakley Richards at 52-58, Beat the Streets Midway’s Ezekiel Willis at 77-85, Ellsworth RTC’s Jarrett Ites at 87-96, The Compound’s Jett Fenton at 59-65, Tinley Park Bulldogs WC’s Nolan Guisinger at 66-70 and Barrington Broncos WC’s Ben Gellings at 69-77.
Boys 1st and 2nd Grade Division
Built by Brunson’s Welles Projansky repeated as a champion at the Midwest Nationals after taking top honors at 89-100 in the Boys 1st and 2nd Grade Division.
Championship matches for the Boys 1st and 2nd Grade Division featured: Built by Brunson’s Anthony Ragona by fall in 0:26 over Fulton WC’s Ryland Ferguson at 50-55; Collum Trained’s Cameron Donaldson by fall in 1:44 over Lawrence County Knights’ Quinten Shaffer at 54-60; The Compound’s Jack Wachstetter by fall in 1:10 over Combative Sports’ Kal Thompson at 59-62; Force Elite’s Oz Bellamy 8-2 over PSF WA’s Sloan Sears at 62-70; Little Celtics’ Jeremiah Hosman by fall in 2:13 over Little Celtics’ William Fitzgerald at 44-49; Southern Illinois Bulldogs WC’s Thomas Reis by fall in 1:52 over Stillman Valley’s Evan Ross at 46-50; and Alber Athletics’ Phinehas Nadig 4-2 in sudden victory over Hoopeston Area WC’s Vincent Englese at 70-80.
Top-two finishers in round robin competition in the Boys 1st and 2nd Grade Division were: Belleville Little Devils’ Vaughn Seibel over Renegades’ Sam Smith at 36-40; Hoopeston Area WC’s Joseph Englese over Raise The Level WC’s Kingston Simms at 80-84; Built by Brunson’s Welles Projansky over unattached Callen Coffman at 89-100; and Belleville Little Devils’ Tyson Sebel took first place at 128-128.
Third-place finishes in the Boys 1st and 2nd Grade Division were turned in by The Compound’s Izaiah Hernandez at 36-40, Lincoln-Way WC’s Thomas Van Tilburg at 50-55, Roxana WC’s Gunner Marshall at 54-60, SJO Youth WC’s Tyson Jones at 59-62, Belvidere Bandits’ Jackson Moreno at 62-70, Gladiator Elite WC’s Jameson Chapman at 44-49, SJO Youth WC’s Carson Gallo at 46-50, Built by Brunson’s Liam Lee at 70-80, Hononegah WC’s Levi Stott at 80-84 and Dwight’s Hunter Lindsey at 89-100.
Finishing fourth in the Boys 1st and 2nd Grade Division were Legends of Gold’s Crew Bullerman at 50-55, Built by Brunson’s Lincoln Projansky at 54-60, Yorkville WC’s Asher Garretson at 59-62, St. Louis Warrior’s Cahlil Powell at 62-70, SJO Youth WC’s Axel Graves at 44-49, Alber Athletics’ Hiro Hongmoungkhoune at 46-50, Tinley Park Bulldogs WC’s Luke Schau at 70-80 and Litchfield’s Mack Younker at 80-84.
Taking fifth place in the Boys 1st and 2nd Grade Division were Sauk Valley WC’s Jack DeGroot at 50-55, SJO Youth WC’s Jack Gorman at 54-60, Palmyra Youth WC’s Ely Rose at 59-62, Fort Zumwalt’s Jax Kiethline at 62-70, Flight Company USA’s Sawyer Wankowski at 44-49, Urbana Tigers WC’s Andre McGuire at 46-50 and Petersburg WC’s Leonidas Calhoun at 70-80.
Finishing in sixth place in the Boys 1st and 2nd Grade Division were Flight Company USA’s Brodey Green at 50-55, Sauk Valley WC’s Easton Benyo at 54-60, nWo WC’s Zach Caputo at 59-62, Region WA’s Anthony Quiroz at 62-70, River Bend WC’s Graham Terry at 44-49, Yorkville WC’s Beckam Velarde at 46-50 and Belvidere Bandits’ Conrad Barber.
Girls 11th and 12th Grade Division
Highland Bulldogs Jr. Wrestling’s August Rottmann took top honors at 151-168 in the Girls 11th and 12th Grade Division to give her one of her three titles for the day with the others coming at 165-177 in the Girls 9th and 10th Grade Division and at 158-165 in the Women’s College/Open Division.
Here are the Illinois champions and results of the title matches as well as the placewinners in the Midwest Nationals Girls 11th and 12th Grade Division:
101-111 – Bailey Lusch, Unattached
Top two finishers in round robin competition for the Girls 11th and 12 Grade Division at 101-111 were unattached Bailey Lusch over Illinois Cornstars’ Averi Colela.
Lusch, who will be a senior at East Peoria, went 15-7 in 2023 and lost in the semifinals of the IHSA Finals to the eventual 105 champion, Loyola Academy’s Harlee Hiller, before taking sixth place and finishing with a 15-7 record. And she took fifth place in the initial IHSA Finals in 2022 at 105 to cap a 19-19 season. She is the fifth wrestler from her school to win two state medals and hopes to become the first Raider to be a three-time all-stater and their second state champion.
136-148 – Mannie Anderson, Conant
The top-two finishers in round robin competition at 136-148 for the Girls 11th and 12th Grade Division were Conant’s Mannie Anderson over Morton’s Faith Comas.
Anderson, a 2023 graduate of Conant, lost in the semifinals and took fifth place at 135 at the IHSA Finals to finish with a 35-6 record. She also placed sixth at 135 in the inaugural IHSA Finals in 2022 to conclude a 14-6 season.
151-168 – August Rottmann, Highland Bulldogs Jr. Wrestling
The top-two finishers in round robin competition at 151-168 in the Girls 11th and 12th Grade Division were Highland Bulldogs Jr. Wrestling’s August Rottmann over Blue Crew Wrestling Club’s Autumne Williams. The two also met up in the Women’s College/Open Division at 158-165 with Rottman taking first over Williams in the round robin competition. Rottmann hopes to join Tanner Farmer as a two-time state champion for the Bulldogs and become the first Highland wrestler to be a three-time all-stater.
Rottmann, who will be a junior at Highland, capped a 21-1 season in 2023 by capturing the IHSA championship at 170. In the inaugural IHSA Finals in 2022, Rottmann lost in the semifinals to the eventual 170 champion, Hononegah’s Rose Cassioppi, and wound up finishing third to finish with a 22-15 record. On March 5, she took second to Williams, who will be a junior at Limestone, at 164 In the 16U Division of the USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Nationals.
221-226 – Chloe Hoselton, The Compound
The top-two finishers in round robin competition at 221-226 in the Girls 11th and 12th Grade Division were The Compound’s Chloe Hoselton over unattached Peyton Kueltzo. Hoselton, who will be a junior at Prairie Central, took second place at 225 in the Junior Division of the USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Nationals on March 5.
In other 11th and 12th Grade Girls championship matches, Elite’s Paola Villarruel won by fall in 1:59 over University High School’s Allison Kroesch at 117-124. And Northwest Lions Wrestling’s Abby Chandler won in round robin competition at 196-203 over Conant’s Rye Reyes.
Taking third place in the Girls 11th and 12th Grade Division were Northwest Lions’s Sara Keeton at 101-111, Dee-Mack’s Josie Barham at 117-124, The Compound’s Jordan Bicknell at 136-148, Bolingbrook Jr. Raiders’ Cheya Bishop at 151-168 and Northwest’s Katelyn Kiefer at 221-225.
Finishing fourth in the Girls 11th and 12th Grade Division were unattached Anna Miloncus at 117-124, Cumberland’s Natalie Beaumont at 136-148 and Richwoods’ Nakiza Williams at 151-168. Taking fifth place in the Girls 11th and 12th Grade Division was Conant’s Beth Ciavarella at 117-124 and placing sixth in the Girls 11th and 12th Grade Division was Dubuque RTC’s Camryn Lippens at 117-124.
Girls 9th and 10th Grade Division
Mt. Zion Wrestling’s Sydney Cannon took top honors at 110-123 in the Girls 9th and 10th Grade Division and Ironhawks’ Abbrie Pehrson took first at 124-135 in the same division to win Midwest Nationals titles for the second year in a row.
Here’s a breakdown of the Illinois champions as well as a summary of all of the title matches and placewinners in the Girls 9th and 10th Grade Division.
98-109 – Kiely Domyancich, Illinois Cornstars
Illinois Cornstars’ Kiely Domyancich won by fall in 1:16 over Streator’s Lily Gwaltney at 98-109 in the Girls 9th and 10th Grade Division.
Domyancich, who will be a sophomore at LaSalle-Peru, became her school’s first state qualifier. She advanced to the IHSA Finals at 100 and finished with a 10-6 record in her debut season.
110-123 – Sydney Cannon, Mt. Zion Wrestling
Mt. Zion Wrestling’s Sydney Cannon won by fall in 1:29 over Ironhawk’s Mileena Notaro by fall in 1:29 at 110-123 in the Girls 9th and 10th Grade Division; Cannon also took second place in the Women’s College/Open Division at 116-127 to Young Guns Wrestling Club’s Natalie Majer.
Cannon, who will be a sophomore at Mt. Zion, capped a 45-3 season when she lost in the IHSA semifinals at 110 before claiming a third-place finish to become her program’s first state medalist. She hopes to become the fourth wrestler from her school to win a state title. Cannon also won a title at the Midwest Nationals in 2018 when she placed first at 64-71 in the 3rd through 5th Grade Division. On March 5, she took sixth at 117 in the 16U Division of the USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Nationals.
“It helps me to find what I need to work on for getting ready for Fargo and what I’m going to be using a lot more,” Cannon said. “I definitely prepared coming into this tournament with all of my practice during the offseason with my team and being able to travel and just get more competition from girls from across the country. It was nice to win my high school division and see how I’ll do next season against some of these girls. When I was younger, there were barely any girls at all, so seeing how far we’ve come in just a few years is incredible.”
136-152 – Sophie Bowers, PSF Wrestling Academy
PSF Wrestling Academy’s Sophie Bowers won by fall in 1:55 over Cumberland’s Natalie Beaumont at 136-152 in the Girls 9th and 10th Grade Division.
Bowers, who’s a junior at Vandalia, went 43-13 in 2022 and not only qualified for the IHSA Class 1A Boys Finals in Champaign but also helped the Vandals to a spot in the IHSA Dual Team Finals. She also won Midwest National titles in 2021 at 114-119 in 6th through 8th Grade and in 2018 at 73-80 in 3rd through 5th Grade.
165-177 – August Rottmann, Highland Bulldog Jr. Wrestling
The top-two finishers in round robin competition for the Girls 9th and 10th Grade Division at 165-177 were Highland Bulldog Jr. Wrestling’s August Rottmann over Dubuque RTC’s Bailey Herr.
It was one of three championships that Rottman, a junior at Highland who took first place at 170 in the 2023 IHSA Finals, won during the competition. The others were the Girls 11th and 12th Grade Division at 151-168 and the Women’s College/Open Division at 158-165, each time finishing ahead of Blue Crew Wrestling Club’s Autumne Williams.
The other championship match of the Girls 9th and 10th Grade Division was Ironhawks’ Aubrie Pehrson by fall in 3:32 over The Compound’s Avery Crouch at 124-135.
Taking third place in the Girls 9th and 10th Grade Division were RPA Florida’s Fallon Dames at 98-109, Litchfield’s Rilynn Younker at 110-123, PAC’s Karen Canchola at 124-135, Hawk Style’s Abigail Ji at 136-152 and Conant’s Anaelise Aberman at 165-177.
Finishing in fourth place in the Girls 9th and 10th Grade Division were Hustisford’s Adalyn Raue at 98-109, ISI’s Jaelyn Brumfield at 110-123, Clarke’s Eleanor Shinn at 124-135 and Glenwood’s Jenna Tuxhorn at 136-152.
Fifth-place finishers in the Girls 9th and 10th Grade Division were unattached Candace Calvert at 98-109, Sterling Elite’s Cammyla Macias at 110-123, unattached Kiana Mayne at 124-135 and Storm WC’s Taylor Owens at 136-152.
And claiming sixth-place finishes in the Girls 9th and 10th Grade Division were Streator’s Isabel Gwaltney at 98-109, Republic West’s Anna McBroom at 110-123, Conant’s Jasmine Zavaleta at 124-135 and Illinois Cornstars’ Samantha Greisen at 136-152.
Girls 7th and 8th Grade Division
Alber Athletic’s Saya Hongmoungkhoune took first place at 84-98 in the Girls 7th and 8th Grade Division to win a title at the Midwest Nationals for the second year in a row.
Finishing first or second in round robin competition in the Girls 7th and 8th Grade Division were The Compound’s Avery Crouch over Lisle’s Sophie Crescenzo at 122-130, ISI’s Allison Garbacz over Southern Illinois Bulldogs WC’s Scarlett Gentille at 135-140, Sarbacker WA’s Amelia Soltis over Highland Bulldog Jr.’s Nina Landmann at 141-155, Alber Athletics’ Saya Hongmoungkhoune over RPA Florida’s Fallon Dames at 84-98, Litchfield’s Rilynn Younker over Metamora WC’s Calliope Willman at 101-110 and EBF Rockets’ Kate Krause over Jefferson WC’s Zoe Ruhland at 115-119.
Taking third in the Girls 7th and 8th Grade Division were Aurora WC’s Valentina Barboza at 122-130, Alber Athletics’ Piper Sandell at 135-140, Lion’s Den WA’s Hannah Gonzalez at 101-110 and Zion Edmonds at 115-119. Finishing fourth in the Girls 7th and 8th Grade Division were Purler’s Reese Blount at 122-130, Toss Em Up WA’s Aaliyah Vazquez at 135-140 and 217 Elite’s Lucie Eisenbarth at 115-119. And placing fifth in the Girls 7th and 8th Grade Division was RWC’s Isabella Resendez at 122-130.
Girls 5th and 6th Grade Division
Placing in the top-two in round robin competition in the Girls 5th and 6th Grade Division were unattached Cha Cha Little over Olympia’s Chloe Collins at 68-71, G2’s Kennedy Hogan over ISI’s Kali DeClercq at 73-81, Storm WC’s Mya Owens over Petersburg WC’s Lila Calhoun at 88-92, Metamora Kids WC’s Calliope Willman over Toss Em Up WA’s Marissa Mayfield at 101-106, Kewanee’s Aaliyah Swearingen over The Compound’s Khloe Wright at 114-121 and Alber Athletics’ Piper Sandell at 135-135.
Taking third in the Gils 5th and 6th Grade Division were Concordia WC’s Lucy Hancock at 68-71, Bulls WC’s Elise Slaten at 73-81, Republic West’s Mabel Rogers at 88-92 and Heyworth’s Celie Ernst at 101-106. Finishing fourth in the Girls 5th and 6th Grade Division were Natural Athlete WC’s Elizabeth Bisonaya at 68-71, Hawks WC’s Kendra Ege at 73-81 and ISI’s Annabelle Mueller at 88-92.
Girls 3rd and 4th Grade Division
Top-two finishers in round robin competition in the Girls 3rd and 4th Grade Division were The Compound’s Kayleigh Vest over Bulls WC’s Bailey Flanigan at 53-62, Palmyra Youth WC’s Kinsley Rife over Tinley Park Bulldogs WC’s Fiona Guisinger at 69-79 and Palmyra Youth WC’s Ava Rife over RWC’s Ella Anderson at 85-102.
Taking third place in the Girls 3rd and 4th Grade Division were The Compound’s Stella Eimer at 53-62, Combative Sports’ Aubree Thompson at 69-79 and ISI’s Francesca Yurs at 85-102.
Finishing fourth in the Girls 3rd and 4th Grade Division were Renegades’ Marlee Krippendorf at 53-62, Columbus East WC’s Jody Shuler at 69-79 and Oregon’s Raya Windham at 85-102. Placing fifth in the Girls 3rd and 4th Grade Division were The Compound’s Faith Gharrett at 53-62 and Olympia’s Teagan Phillips at 69-79. And taking sixth in the Girls 3rd and 4th Grade Division was Northwest Lions’ Linzee Mason at 69-79.
Girls 1st and 2nd Grade Division
Top-two finishers in round robin competition in the Girls 1st and 2nd Grade Division were Blackman WC’s Dixie Beasley over Built by Brunson’s Adalyn Albavera at 44-54, Derby WC’s Jentry Lyden over Contenders WA’s Kennedy Wheeler at 60-64, RWC’s Aryana Resendez over Belvidere Bandits’ Ava Barber at 69-72 and Oregon’s Raya Windham at 87-87.
Taking third place in the Girls 1st and 2nd Grade Division were Shelbyville Jr. WC’s Cale Duckett at 44-54 and Dwight’s Kaylee Lapitan at 60-64, Finishing fourth in the Girls 1st and 2nd Grade Division were Conant’s Megan Goolish at 44-54 and Force Elite’s Londyn Bellamy at 60-64. And placing fifth in the Girls 1st and 2nd Grade Division were SJO Youth WC’s Kayelyn Lee at 44-54 and Lion’s Den WA’s Calli Hickman at 60-64.
Men’s College/Open Division
PSF Wrestling Academy’s Alejandro Wajner won 10-1 over Westville’s Austin Hedrick at 171-184 and PSF Wrestling Academy”s Michael Pixley won by fall in 0:54 over Morris’ Trevor Albert at 207-221.
Both of the champions coach at Mt. Vernon, along with Tad Cravens, who also competed in the Men’s College/Open Division. This past season, the Rams, with Wajner as their head coach, won their first regional championship since 1995.
July 1 was the first anniversary of the founding of PSF Wrestling. Being the top scoring teams in both the Boys 9th and 10th Grade Division as well as the Men’s College/Open Division and also having the third-highest overall total of all clubs at the Midwest Nationals were obviously notable achievements considering the brief amount of time that the club has been in operation.
The club hopes to change the mindset of athletes at southern Illinois schools that have been known for their basketball success during the winter, which certainly includes Mt. Vernon, which is one of the state’s winningest programs.
“We’re very privileged to have the opportunities that we have,” Wajner said. “All three of us wrestled in college and in high school and we’re giving every bit of knowledge that we have to these kids to make sure that they’re successful. And the fact that we’re only in year one in our academy shows that we’re just getting started. We plan on covering as many basketball courts with wrestling mats as we can and we’re going to try to get as many Southern IIIllinois kids as we can on top of that podium at state.”
Dubuque RTC’s Eli Pannell won by fall in 0:43 over Cap Daddy’s Mitch Morris at 224-296. Pannell,who won an IHSA Class 1A title while at Fulton, has competed at Wartburg College. But now he will compete at Dubuque University along with his brother Zane, a recent Fulton graduate, who also placed in the tournament.
“It’s awesome to be competing,” Pannell said. “I haven’t competed in Folkstyle in awhile. I’m pretty good at Greco, and that’s probably my favorite style. My first match was a little rough, but the ones that followed were a lot better. I’m getting better every day. We’ll both be at Dubuque and I want my brother to be a four-timer and I’m going to make sure that he does the things he needs to do.”
Other championship matches of the Men’s College/Open Division featured: Eureka’s Jake Jozwiak 5-0 over PSF Matmonks’ Cam Lee at 119-132, Iguana WC’s Savion Haywood by fall in 3:55 over PSF WA’s Jason Shaw at 135-150; Brawlers’ Anthony Rink 14-0 over Old Man WC’s Jordan Carson at 151-158; Southstrong’s Jimmy McAuliffe 13-6 over G2’s Kevin Hogan at 160-171 and Morton’s Nicolas White 3-2 over Cap Daddy’s Danny Balderas at 184-198.
Third-place finishers in the Men’s College/Open Division were FZS’s Ben Lindley at 119-132, Beat the Streets Midway’s Micah Willis at 135-150, Alber Athletics’ Caleb Nadig at 151-158, Sauk Valley WC’s Brody Ivey at 160-171, Rockford’s Jenner Hecox at 171-184, Dubuque RTC’s Porfirio Perez at 184-198, Greg Gomez Trained Philip Dozier at 207-221 and Cap Daddy’s Joey Caprio at 224-296.
Finishing fourth in the Men’s College/Open Division were One Unity WA’s Jorduan Griffin at 119-132, Comets WC’s Jason Strope at 135-150, Hurricane WC’s Blake McGee at 151-158, Morton’s Shamar Pugh at 160-171, Fort Zumwalt’s Chance Cole at 171-184, Beat the Streets Midway’s Jackson Willis at 184-198, Omega’s Geoffrey Cagle at 207-221 and Oswn’s Dylan Cooper at 224-296.
Placing fifth in the Men’s College/Open Division were North Central’s Cameron Phillips at 119-132, Elk Grove Village’s Daniel Gaskill at 135-150, Eierman Elite WC’s Wyatt Cooley at 151-158, One Unit WA’s Micah Dennis at 160-171, PSF WA’s Tad Cravens at 171-184, Dubuque RTC’s Zane Pannell at 184-198, Murphysboro’s Andrew Hopkins at 207-221 and Morton’s Myles Yorke at 224-296.
Women’s College/Open Division
Top-two finishers in round robin competition in the Women’s College/Open Division were TF South’s Dutchess King over Beat the Streets Chicago’s Mya Downs at 88-102, Young Guns WC’s Natalie Majer over Mt. Zion’s Sydney Cannon at 116-127, The Compound’s Valerie Hamilton over Young Guns WC’s Nadia Flores at 138-142 and Highland Bulldogs Jr. Wrestling’s August Rottmann over Blue Crew WC’s Autumne Williams at 158-165.
Hamilton, who will be a senior at El Paso-Gridley, is a nationally-ranked competitor who won championships in three divisions at the last year’s Midwest Nationals, 9th and 10th Grade at 130-139, 11th and 12th Grade at 130-141 and Women’s College/Open at 118-130 in addition to winning titles for grades 6th through 8th in both 2018 and 2019. She has won six titles and placed three other times in the event.
Hamilton and Batavia’s Sydney Perry met in last year’s historic IHSA title match at 145, where two of the nation’s best clashed when they were both allowed to compete in the tournament after originally being excluded. Perry, who was a champion at 145 in the inaugural IHSA Finals in 2022, captured a 7-4 victory to cap a 34-0 season while Hamilton suffered her lone loss in seven matches. On March 5, Hamilton won the title at 138 in the Junior Division of the USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Nationals.
Rottmann, a 2023 IHSA champion at 170 who went 21-1 this season and also was a third-place finisher at 170 in the IHSA Finals in 2022, is a junior at Highland. She won three titles at the Midwest Nationals, also taking first in the Girls 9th and 10th Division at 165-177 and in the Girls 11th and 12th Grade Division at 151-168.
Taking third place in the Women’s College/Open Division were Morton’s Evelyn Simon at 116-127, Badgers’ Olga Turiy at 138-142 and Young Guns WC’s Adele Senzig at 158-165. And finishing fourth in the Women’s College/Open Division were Alpha WA’s Stephanie Nadig at 116-127 and unattached Basil Kiracofe at 138-142.