1A Sectional recaps: Vandalia, Byron, Coal City
By Curt Herron – for the IWCOA
Class 1A Vandalia Sectional recap
Vandalia qualified 10 individuals for the IHSA Finals from the Class 1A sectional tournament that it hosted, which made it one of only six teams in all classes that will be sending that many to Champaign and only one other team in 1A had more qualifiers, Coal City, with 14.
Other teams in the sectional who had the next-highest total of qualifiers were Murphysboro and Oakwood/ Salt Fork co-op with six apiece, Althoff Catholic with five and Benton with four. There were two 2025 state champions who will compete in this weekend’s IHSA Class 1A Finals and there are 11 other 2025 state medalists who also will be back in Champaign.
State qualifiers for coach Pat Myers’ Vandalia Vandals included champions Preston Waughtel (126, 25-0), Max Philpot (132, 32-2), Dade Kleinik (150, 30-6), Dillon Hinton (157, 39-3) and Ross Miller (190, 37-7) and runner-up Kaden Daugherty (106, 32-11). Also advancing were third-place finishers Brody Matthews (138, 35-10), Eli Mabry (144, 35-7) and Zayne Zinkgraf (165, 20-6) as well as Riley Hinton (120, 21-9), who claimed fourth place.
Advancing to state for coach Shea Baker’s Murphysboro Red Devils were title winners Paxton Pyatt (120, 47-4) and Julien Tanner (285, 46-3) and runners-up Logan Tanner (190, 30-10) and Caybren Hubbard (215, 43-8). Finishing in third place and also qualifying for state were Drevan Bramlett (113, 38-7) and Sergio Garcia (126, 43-9).
Qualifying for the state finals for coach Mike Glosser’s Oakwood/ Salt-Fork co-op Comets were champions Steven Uden (113, 39-6) and Devin Ehler (138, 42-1) and second-place finishers Weston Frazier (120, 35-4) and Tyler Huchel (144, 36-6). Also advancing were third-place finisher Mason Swartz (132, 39-6) and fourth-place finisher Pedro Alberto Rangel (126, 27-14).
State qualifiers for coach Emanuel Brooks’ Althoff Catholic Crusaders were title winner Pierre Walton (165, 40-1) and second-place finishers Jacobi Cobbs (113, 38-2), Dawson Hawthorne (132, 37-2) and Landon Weidler (157, 36-3) and also Nathan Fisher (120, 21-8), who took third.
Advancing to state for coach Aaron Robinson’s Benton Rangers were champion Braxton Tittle (106, 45-2) and fourth-place finishers Kaden Blades (144, 45-7), Derek Wilkey (157, 40-8) and Kobe Cali (175, 30-6).
The other three sectional champions were Roxana’s Brandon Green, Jr. (144, 28-1) and Lyndon Thies (175, 41-1) and Freeburg’s Dane Olmstead (215, 35-4).
Additional second-place finishers were Litchfield/ Mt. Olive co-op’s Vincent Moore (126, 37-4) and Braxton Kieffer (165, 34-5), Robinson’s Broady Kelly (138, 43-4), Breese Central’s Matthew Walsh (150, 40-6), Pinckneyville’s Jonathan Ramaker (175, 35-2) and East Alton-Wood River’s Michael Soto (285, 23-10).
Some of the closest championship matches included Uden edging Cobbs 7-6 at 113, Pyatt getting past Frazier 4-2 at 120, Ehler prevailing over Kelly 8-6 at 138, Olmstead defeating Hubbard 4-2 at 215 and Miller beating Logan Tanner 3-0 at 190.
Others who claimed third-place finishes were Auburn/ Pawnee co-op’s Eli Hill (106, 33-9), Cumberland’s Owen McGinnis (157, 36-8), Lawrence County co-op’s Nick Morehead (175, 31-11), Red Bud’s Daniel Jackson (190, 40-2), Pinckneyville/ Trico/ Elverado co-op’s Wade Rees (215, 33-8) and Freeburg’s Jack Amann (285, 41-5).
Additional fourth-place finishers were Effingham’s Jonah LeDuc (106, 33-11) and Jeremiah Lorton (285, 38-8), Shelbyville’s Bodee Fathauer (132, 23-7) and Hayden Mudgette (215, 31-7), Robinson’s Landon Cornwell (113, 35-13), Johnston City’s Jace Weaver (138, 34-9), Auburn/ Pawnee co-op’s Trey Boston (150, 32-10), Paris’ Joshua Lamour (165, 28-2) and Westville/ Georgetown-Ridge Farm co-op’s Ethan Miller (190, 36-6).
2025 state champions who qualified for this weekend’s IHSA Class 1A Finals from the Vandalia Sectional are: Max Philpot, Vandalia (1st at 113) and Pierre Walton, Althoff Catholic (1st at 165 in 2A).
2025 state medalists who qualified for this weekend’s IHSA Class 1A Finals from the Vandalia Sectional are: Steven Uden, Oakwood/ Salt Fork (2nd at 106); Preston Waughtel, Vandalia (2nd at 120); Lyndon Thies, Roxana (2nd at 165); Brandon Green, Jr., Roxana (3rd at 132); Dillon Hinton, Vandalia (3rd at 150); Daniel Jackson, Red Bud (3rd at 190); Mason Swartz, Oakwood/ Salt Fork (4th at 120); Devin Ehler, Oakwood/ Salt Fork (4th at 126); Dawson Hawthorne, Althoff Catholic (6th at 126); Logan Riggs, Roxana (6th at 144) and Ross Miller, Vandalia (6th at 175).
Individuals who lost narrow decisions in the semifinals and then were beaten in their next match included Murphysboro’s Lemar Treshansky, who fell 3-0 to Tyler Huchel at 144 and Sparta/ Steeleville co-op’s Braxton Glodo, who was edged 3-2 by Matthew Walsh at 150
Consolation semifinals matches that were decided by narrow margins included Pedro Alberto Rangel edging Salem’s Rylan Moore 5-4 by ultimate tiebreaker at 126, Jack Amann getting past Vandalia’s Dominic Swyers 4-1 in overtime at 285, Joshua Lamour beating Pinckneyville/ Trico/ Elverado co-op senior Trevor Fath 7-5 at 165 and Ethan Miller prevailing over Oakwood/ Salt Fork’ co-op’s Jamison Chambliss 4-2 at 190.
Benton’s Kobe Cali and Effingham’s Jeremiah Lorton were the only two individuals to record four falls. Vandalia’s Preston Waughtel and Althoff Catholic’s Pierre Walton both claimed three wins by technical fall to lead in that category and Walton beat out Waughtel 58-55 for the most total match points.
Vandalia Sectional championship matches
106 – Braxton Tittle (Benton) 45-2, Jr. over Kaden Daugherty (Vandalia) 32-11, Fr. (TF 3:50 21-5)
113 – Steven Uden (Oakwood/ Salt Fork) 39-6, Jr. over Jacobi Cobbs (Althoff Catholic) 38-2, Jr. (Dec 7-6)
120 – Paxton Pyatt (Murphysboro) 47-4, Jr. over Weston Frazier (Oakwood/ Salt Fork) 35-4, So. (Dec 4-2)
126 – Preston Waughtel (Vandalia) 25-0, Jr. over Vincent Moore (Litchfield/ Mt. Olive) 37-4, Sr. (TF 3:44 19-3)
132 – Max Philpot (Vandalia) 32-2, Jr. over Dawson Hawthorne (Althoff Catholic) 37-2, Jr. (Dec 15-8)
138 – Devin Ehler (Oakwood/ Salt Fork) 42-1, So. over Broady Kelly (Robinson) 43-4, Sr. (Dec 8-6)
144 – Brandon Green, Jr. (Roxana) 28-1, Sr. over Tyler Huchel (Oakwood/ Salt Fork) 36-6, Sr. (Dec 7-3)
150 – Dade Kleinik (Vandalia) 30-6, Jr. over Matthew Walsh (Breese Central) 40-6, Sr. (Dec 7-3)
157 – Dillon Hinton (Vandalia) 39-3, Sr. over Landon Weidler (Althoff Catholic) 36-3, So. (Fall 3:49)
165 – Pierre Walton (Althoff Catholic) 40-1, Sr. over Braxton Kieffer (Litchfield) 34-5, Sr. (TF 4:08 16-1)
175 – Lyndon Thies (Roxana) 41-1, Sr. over Jonathan Ramaker (Pinckneyville/ Trico/ Elverado) 35-2, Sr. (MD 13-0)
190 – Ross Miller (Vandalia) 37-7, Sr. over Logan Tanner (Murphysboro) 30-10, Jr. (Dec 3-0)
215 – Dane Olmstead (Freeburg) 35-4, Jr. over Caybren Hubbard (Murphysboro) 43-8, Jr. (Dec 4-2)
285 – Julien Tanner (Murphysboro) 46-3, Sr. over Michael Soto (East Alton-Wood River) 23-10, Sr. (Dec 4-0)
Vandalia Sectional third-place matches
106 – Eli Hill (Auburn/ Pawnee) 33-9, So. over Jonah LeDuc (Effingham) 33-11, Fr. (TF 3:48 (21-5)
113 – Drevan Bramlett (Murphysboro) 38-7, Fr. over Landon Cornwell (Robinson) 35-13, Sr. (Fall 3:05)
120 – Nathan Fisher (Althoff Catholic) 21-8, Jr. over Riley Hinton (Vandalia) 21-9, Fr. (MD 13-3)
126 – Sergio Garcia (Murphysboro) 43-9, Sr. over Pedro Alberto Rangel (Oakwood/ Salt Fork) 27-14, So. (TF 1:49 16-1)
132 – Mason Swartz (Oakwood/ Salt Fork) 39-6, So. over Bodee Fathauer (Shelbyville) 23-7, Sr. (Dec 6-5)
138 – Brody Matthews (Vandalia) 35-10, Jr. over Jace Weaver (Johnston City) 34-9, Sr. (Fall 3:35)
144 – Eli Mabry (Vandalia) 35-7, Jr. over Kaden Blades (Benton) 45-7, Sr. (Fall 1:10)
150 – Logan Riggs (Roxana) 38-8, Sr. over Trey Boston (Auburn/ Pawnee) 32-10, So. (Fall 2:33)
157 – Owen McGinnis (Cumberland) 36-8, Sr. over Derek Wilkey (Benton) 40-8, Jr. (Fall 1:20)
165 – Zayne Zinkgraf (Vandalia) 20-6, So. over Joshua Lamour (Paris) 28-2, Sr. (Dec 13-12)
175 – Nick Morehead (Lawrence County) 31-11, Jr. over Kobe Cali (Benton) 30-6, Sr. (Dec 8-6)
190 – Daniel Jackson (Red Bud) 40-2, So. over Ethan Miller (Westville/ Georgetown-Ridge Farm) 36-6, Sr. (MD 17-5)
215 – Wade Rees (Pinckneyville/ Trico/ Elverado) 33-8, Fr. over Hayden Mudgette (Shelbyville) 31-7, So. (TF 5:02 18-2)
285 – Jack Amann (Freeburg) 41-5, Jr. over Jeremiah Lorton (Effingham) 38-8, Sr. (TF 4:07 15-0)
Class 1A Byron Sectional recap
Lena-Winslow/ Stockton co-op had a tournament-high seven qualifiers for the IHSA Finals from the Class 1A Byron Sectional while Dixon advanced five individuals to Champaign and Morrison, Richmond-Burton and Newman Central Catholic all had four state qualifiers.
There were two 2025 IHSA champions who advanced from the Byron Sectional to this weekend’s IHSA Class 1A Finals and there were nine other IHSA medalists who also qualified from the Byron Sectional and will be competing this weekend in Champaign.
Leading the way for the Lena-Winslow/ Stockton co-op PantherHawks, who are coached by 2020 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Kevin Milder, were champions Eli Larson (190, 45-1), Oliver McPeek (215, 44-2) and Jeremiah Luke (285, 41-3). Also advancing were second-place finishers Arrison Bauer (144, 44-4) and Sam Sikora (157, 37-12) and two individuals who claimed fourth place, Mauricio Glass (138, 35-13) and John Mensendike (175, 40-9)
Advancing to state for coach Micah Hey’s Dixon Dukes are title winners Jack Ragan (120, 38-5) and Charlie Connors (144, 40-4) while Riley Paredes (106, 35-2) finished second and Preston Richards (150, 40-7) and Dylan Bopes (285, 30-6) both claimed third place.
Qualifying for state for coach Tom Drosopoulos’ Morrison Mustangs were champion Eli Modglin (126, 43-3) and runner-up Caleb Modglin (150, 41-5) while Cael Wright (120, 42-8) and Noah Stout (190, 43-8) both finished in third place.
Moving on to state for coach Tony Nelson’s Richmond-Burton Rockets were third-place finishers Lelan Nelson (126, 31-6) and Wyatt Franckowiak (132, 38-10) and also Shane Falasca (215, 29-10) and Breckin Campbell (285, 31-9), who both finished in fourth place.
State qualifiers for coach Brody Ivey’s Newman Central Catholic Comets were champion Landon Near (113, 40-3) and runners-up Zhyler Hansen (126, 34-7) and Landon Blanton (132, 39-5), as well as fourth-place finisher Tyler Greenan (106, 28-12).
Additional sectional champions were Winnebago’s Cam Whitehead (106, 34-4), Riverdale’s Dean Wainwright (132, 44-3), Oregon’s Nelson Benesh (138, 41-4), Sandwich’s Cooper Corder (150, 39-1), West Carroll’s Connor Knop (157, 29-0), Wheaton Academy’s Tyler Jones (165, 42-2) and Byron Brody Stien (175, 44-1),
Princeton received second-place finishes from Augustus Swanson (113, 44-2), Kane Dauber (138, 25-3) and Casey Etheridge (165, 43-6). Also finishing in second place were Johnsburg’s Chase Vogel (120, 34-7), Sandwich’s Joshua Kotalik (175, 43-6), Byron’s Will Julian (190, 37-7), Marengo’s Owen Bills (215, 20-6) and Erie/ Prophetstown co-op’s Caleb Reymer (285, 37-8).
In some of the closest title matches, Wainwright edged Blanton 4-2 at 132, Near got past Swanson 7-4 at 113, Luke prevailed over Reymer 4-1 at 285, Eli Modglin beat Hansen 8-4 at 126 and Connors defeated Bauer 4-0 at 144.
Third-place finishes were also turned in by Rockridge’s Nate Lower (106, 39-3) and Thomas Sowards (157, 39-7), Mercer County’s Boston Morford (113, 33-11) and Eli Burns (165, 44-6), Marengo’s Mitchell Aukes (138, 42-4), Wheaton Academy’s Lincoln Hoger (144, 42-6), Johnsburg’s Duke Mays (175, 37-7) and Marquette Academy’s Alex Schaefer (215, 31-3).
The other fourth-place finishers were North Boone’s Drew Patel (113, 29-11), Marquette Academy’s Wesley Janick (120, 31-4), Oregon’s Isaiah Perez (126, 36-9), Rockridge’s Clayton Blumenstein (132, 38-9), Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille co-op’s Caiden Heath (144, 26-10), Johnsburg’s Tanner Hansen (150, 35-13), Byron’s Dylan Dach (157, 25-17), West Carroll’s Jonner Smith (165, 35-3) and Marengo’s Frankie Solis (190, 39-9).
2025 state champions (with their finishes from last year) who qualified for this weekend’s IHSA Class 1A Finals from the Byron Sectional are: Dean Wainwright, Riverdale (1st at 132) and Eli Larson, Lena-Winslow/ Stockton co-op (1st at 175).
2025 state medalists (with their finishes from last year) who qualified for this weekend’s IHSA Class 1A Finals from the Byron Sectional are: Jeremiah Luke, Lena-Winslow/ Stockton co-op (2nd at 215); Arrison Bauer, Lena-Winslow/ Stockton co-op (3rd at 144); Landon Near, Newman Central Catholic (4th at 106); Casey Etheridge, Princeton (4th at 165); Oliver McPeek, Lena-Winslow/ Stockton co-op (4th at 190); Lelan Nelson, Richmond-Burton (5th at 106); Kane Dauber, Princeton (5th at 132); Cooper Corder, Sandwich (5th at 144) and Eli Burns, Mercer County (6th at 165).
Dixon’s Doolan Long lost 5-4 to Zhyler Hansen in the 126 semifinals and then fell 2-1 by ultimate tiebreaker to Lelan Nelson in his next match. Individuals who lost tight semifinal matches and then lost in the next round included Oregon’s Josiah Perez, who took sixth at 113 last season, fell 3-1 by ultimate tiebreaker to Jack Ragan at 120 and Polo/ Forreston/ Eastland/ Milledgeville co-op’s Micah Stringini, who lost 9-8 to Will Julian at 190.
Other close calls in the consolation semifinal included Tyler Grennan edging Stillman Valley’s Carter Paulson 5-4 at 106, Isaiah Perez got past Lena-Winslow/ Stockton’s Brandon White 10-9 at 126, Dylan Dach beat Marquette Academy’s Brysen Manly 7-5 at 157 and Dylan Bopes won 1-0 over Wheaton Academy’s Hezzy Garcia at 285.
Dixon’s Preston Richards edged Richmond-Burton’s Wyatt Franckowiak 72-70 for the most total match points, Marengo’s Frankie Solis was the only individual to record four falls and Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille co-op’s Aden Spinell was the lone competitor who had three wins by technical fall.
Byron Sectional championship matches
106 – Cam Whitehead (Winnebago) 34-4, So. over Riley Paredes (Dixon) 35-2, Jr. (Dec 11-5)
113 – Landon Near (Newman Central Catholic) 40-3, So. over Augustus Swanson (Princeton) 44-2, Sr. (Dec 7-4)
120 – Jack Ragan (Dixon) 38-5, Jr. over Chase Vogel (Johnsburg) 34-7, So. (Dec 10-3)
126 – Eli Modglin (Morrison) 43-3, Fr. over Zhyler Hansen (Newman Central Catholic) 34-7, Sr. (Dec 8-4)
132 – Dean Wainwright (Riverdale) 44-3, Sr. over Landon Blanton (Newman Central Catholic) 39-5, Sr. (Dec 4-2)
138 – Nelson Benesh (Oregon) 41-4, Jr. over Kane Dauber (Princeton) 25-3, So. (Fall 5:52)
144 – Charlie Connors (Dixon) 40-4, So. over Arrison Bauer (Lena-Winslow/ Stockton) 44-4, Sr. (Dec 4-0)
150 – Cooper Corder (Sandwich) 39-1, Jr. over Caleb Modglin (Morrison) 41-5, Jr. (TF 1:23 20-3)
157 – Connor Knop (West Carroll) 29-0, Sr. over Sam Sikora (Lena-Winslow/ Stockton) 37-12, So. (Fall 1:41)
165 – Tyler Jones (Wheaton Academy) 42-2, Sr. over Casey Etheridge (Princeton) 43-6, Sr. (MD 11-3)
175 – Brody Stien (Byron) 44-1, Jr. over Joshua Kotalik (Sandwich) 43-6, So. (MD 14-4)
190 – Eli Larson (Lena-Winslow’/ Stockton) 45-1, Sr. over Will Julian (Byron) 37-7, Jr. (Dec 10-4)
215 – Oliver McPeek (Lena-Winslow/ Stockton) 44-2, Sr. over Owen Bills (Marengo) 20-6, Sr. (Fall 3:20)
285 – Jeremiah Luke (Lena-Winslow/ Stockton) 41-3, Sr. over Caleb Reymer (Erie/ Prophetstown) 37-8, Jr. (Dec 4-1)
Byron Sectional third-place matches
106 – Nate Lower (Rockridge) 39-3, So. over Tyler Grennan (Newman Central Catholic) 28-12, Fr. (Dec 6-0)
113 – Boston Morford (Mercer County) 33-11, Fr. over Drew Patel (North Boone) 29-11, So. (Dec 7-4)
120 – Cael Wright (Morrison) 42-8, So. over Wesley Janick (Marquette Academy) 31-4, Fr. (Dec 7-3)
126 – Lelan Nelson (Richmond-Burton) 31-6, So. over Isaiah Perez (Oregon) 36-9, So. (DQ)
132 – Wyatt Franckowiak (Richmond-Burton) 38-10, Fr. over Clayton Blumenstein (Rockridge) 38-9, Sr. (MD 16-5)
138 – Mitchell Aukes (Marengo) 42-4, Fr. over Mauricio Glass (Lena-Winslow/ Stockton) 35-13, Sr. (Dec 4-1)
144 – Lincoln Hoger (Wheaton Academy) 42-6, Sr. over Caiden Heath (Amboy/ Ashton-Franklin Center/ LaMoille) 26-10, Jr. (Fall 5:19)
150 – Preston Richards (Dixon) 40-7, So. over Tanner Hansen (Johnsburg) 35-13, So. (TF 5:18 19-4)
157 – Thomas Sowards (Rockridge) 39-7, Jr. over Dylan Dach (Byron) 25-17, So. (Fall 1:11)
165 – Eli Burns (Mercer County) 44-6, Sr. over Jonner Smith (West Carroll) 35-3, Sr. (MD 10-0)
175 – Duke Mays (Johnsburg) 37-7, Jr. over John Mensendike (Lena-Winslow/ Stockton) 40-9, Sr. (Dec 4-0)
190 – Noah Stout (Morrison) 43-8, So. over Frankie Solis (Marengo) 39-9, Jr. (Fall 1:16)
215 – Alex Schaefer (Marquette Academy) 31-3, Jr. over Shane Falasca (Richmond-Burton) 29-10, So. (MD 12-4)
285 – Dylan Bopes (Dixon) 30-6, Sr. over Breckin Campbell (Richmond-Burton) 31-9, Jr. (Fall 1:20)
Class 1A Coal City Sectional recap
Coal City continued to add to its impressive accomplishments by doing something that it only has achieved once before, and that was qualifying all 14 of its sectional qualifiers to the IHSA Class 1A Finals, which it also did in 2023, the year that it won its first IHSA Dual Team title.
The Coalers achieved the feat at the sectional tournament that they hosted where coach Mark Masters’ team had six champions, five second-place finishers, two who took third place and one more who finished fourth.
Coal City was the only school to have 14 state qualifiers, which was one more than the best total in 2A, which was 13 for Providence Catholic while IC Catholic Prep advanced 12 in 2A. The highest total in 3A was the 10 qualifiers for Joliet Catholic Academy and Marmion Academy. The next-best total in 1A was 10 qualifiers for Vandalia.
Last week, they qualified for Dual Team State for the ninth time in the past 11 seasons and to not only look to capture their ninth trophy in the last 11 seasons but also advance to the Dual Team championship meet for the fourth straight year and repeat as 1A champions and also win their third IHSA title in four years.
Coal City looks to make some more history in several categories at the IHSA Class 1A Dual Team Finals on February 27 and 28 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington by becoming the seventh team in Class A or 1A to finish unbeaten, the sixth A or 1A program to repeat as a champion, the fifth A or 1A program to win three titles in four seasons and the fourth program in A or 1A to have an unbeaten championship team.
Last season, the Coalers beat Vandalia 32-25 in the 1A title meet to finish 33-7 as they won their second title in three years and captured their eighth trophy in 10 seasons, with the latter feat achieved previously by Providence Catholic, Montini Catholic and Washington Community.
Coal City takes a 39-0 record into next weekend’s IHSA Dual Team Finals and this is the first time that the program has headed to state with a perfect record. The Coalers easily won the regional that they hosted by scoring 329 points, which was 186 points ahead of runner-up Bishop McNamara. They also turned in one of the most dominating performances in the history of ABE’s Rumble, only losing 10 matches in nine dual meets while recording four shutouts.
Sectional champions for Coal City were Jake Munsterman (106, 43-3), Max Christensen (144, 42-5), Brody Widlowski (150, 33-1), Aidan Kenney (157, 43-1), Mason Garner (165, 37-4) and Cade Poyner (215, 42-3).
Finishing in second place for the Coalers were Gavin Roudis (113, 27-8), Owen Petersen (126, 39-5), Cooper Morris (132, 41-4), Brock Finch (175, 35-2) and Payton Vigna (285, 34-10). Taking third place were Luke Munsterman (138, 40-6) and Evan Greggain (190, 33-9) while Tyson Price (120, 21-9) took fourth place.
Coach Dan Willis’ Chicago Hope Academy Eagles had four sectional champions, one runner-up, two who took third place and one who claimed fourth place.
Winning titles for the Eagles were Obadiah Willis (126, 40-3), Jeremiah Lawrence (132, 27-2), Chance Woods (138, 42-2) and Arkail Griffin (175, 42-1) while Nolan Callahan (120, 20-5) took second place. Finishing third were Santori Knight (150, 22-4) and Ismael Martinez (165, 30-10) while Dylan Galvez (157, 37-8) took fourth place.
Coach Mike Vester’s Yorkville Christian Mustangs had two second-place finishers, four who claimed third place and two more who took fourth place.
Finishing in second place for the Mustangs were Austin Wadas-Luis (150, 35-15) and Tyler Gleason (165, 35-12). Taking third place were Davin Torza (106, 37-10), Phoenix Senodenos (113, 28-5), Christian Sandoval (120, 28-20) and Adrian Wadas-Luis (144, 38-13) while placing fourth were Ryan Alaimo (138, 18-7) and Jackson Allen (215, 44-7).
Additional sectional champions were Reed-Custer’s Colton Drinkwine (113, 33-4), Seneca’s Raiden Terry (120, 38-3), Wilmington’s Logan VanDuyne (190, 38-3) and Sullivan’s Charles Harris (285, 32-3).
Others who captured second-place finishes were Sullivan’s Mohammed Zia Nadre (106, 22-5), Bishop McNamara’s Alex Kostecka (138, 28-12), Clifton Central/ Iroquois West co-op’s Evan Cox (144, 37-10), Pontiac’s Brayden Quas (157, 33-7), Seneca’s Landen Venecia (190, 34-8) and Herscher’s Colton Carson (215, 41-12).
Also taking third place were Reed-Custer’s Jayden Sanchez (132, 36-13) and Dominic Alaimo (215, 38-10), Lisle Senior’s Alexander Ferari (126, 31-3), St. Francis’ Chase Siguenza (157, 14-2), Pontiac’s Lucas Maier (175, 40-4) and Clifton Central/ Iroquois West co-op’s Josh McCurry (285, 33-12).
Individuals who also finished in fourth place were Lisle Senior’s Sebastian Lara (106, 24-11) and Johnny Consuegra-Lopez (144, 26-9), Bishop McNamara’s Evan Johnson (113, 27-11) and Kian Bramer (285, 23-19), Peotone’s Jonah Young (126, 22-10), Westmont’s Ardan Baglaev (132, 34-12), Seneca’s Chase Rod (150, 30-11), Manteno’s Lucas Hetman (165, 30-11), Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington co-op’s Gavin Bafia (175, 34-13) and Horizon Science Academy – Southwest Chicago’s Sami Marrero (190, 18-4).
The closest sectional title match was at 132 where Chicago Hope Academy’s Jeremiah Lawrence won a 7-4 decision over Coal City’s Cooper Morris.
2025 IHSA medalists (with their finishes from a year ago) who qualified from the Coal City Sectional for this weekend’s IHSA Class 1A Finals in Champaign were: Cooper Morris, Coal City (2nd at 126); Brody Widlowski, Coal City (2nd at 138); Raiden Terry, Seneca (3rd at 106); Jeremiah Lawrence, Chicago Hope Academy (3rd at 120); Aidan Kenney, Coal City (4th at 144); Owen Petersen, Coal City (5th at 113); Arkail Griffin, Chicago Hope Academy (5th at 165); Cade Poyner, Coal City (5th at 190) and Dominic Alaimo, Reed-Custer (6th at 215).
Coal City’s Gavin Roudis had the most falls in the least time with three in 3:10. Yorkville Christian’s Davin Torza was the only individual who recorded three wins by technical fall. And Torza also edged Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington co-op’s Gavin Bafia 58-55 for the most total match points.
In the closest consolation semifinal matches, Lisle Senior’s Johnny Consuegra-Lopez edged Herscher’s Alexander Mendez 10-7 in sudden victory at 144, Manteno’s Lucas Hetman prevailed over Corliss’ Grant Smith 7-6 at 165 and Chicago Hope Academy’s Santori Knight got past Clifton Central/ Iroquois West co-op’s Giona Panozzo 10-7 at 150.
Coal City captured its 39th-straight victory when it defeated Yorkville Christian 56-14 at the Coal City Dual Team Sectional, That assured it of its fourth-straight appearance in the IHSA Dual Team Finals and it has qualified for the event for the ninth time in the last 11 seasons.
The No. 1 Coalers meet No. 8 Olympia in the quarterfinals on Friday, February 27 at 5 p.m. at Grossinger Motors Arena with the winner advancing against No. 5 Dixon or No. 9 Althoff Catholic. The semifinals and title and third-place meets are on the next day with the IHSA Girls Finals also being held on those two days at the same site in downtown Bloomington.
Chicago Hope Academy will be back at the 1A Dual Team Finals for the second year in a row and the fourth time since 2017 after winning the other dual meet at the Coal City Sectional 56-9 over Wendell Phillips Academy.
The No. 17 Eagles face No. 3 Vandalia in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m. on Friday with the winner meeting No. 6 Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op or No. 2 Lena-Winslow/ Stockton co-op in the semifinals.
This was the first sectional appearance for coach Carl Clark, Srs.’ Wildcats, who captured their first regional title in their program’s 16th season.
Coal City has captured wins over three Class 1A qualifiers, Lena-Winslow/ Stockton co-op, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op and Chicago Hope Academy and also against three Class 2A qualifiers, No. 3 Glenwood, No. 7 Mahomet-Seymour and No. 9 Oak Forest.
In the matchup between the 2025 and 2023 IHSA 1A champions and the 2022 1A title winners, coach Mike Vesters’ seventh-ranked Mustangs (17-3) lost the opener but then won the next two matches to grab an early 11-5 advantage. But then the top-ranked Coalers claimed wins in the next 10 matches before Yorkville Christian closed the dual meet with its third victory.
In the opener at 106, Coal City’s Jake Munsterman won 18-2 by technical fall over Davin Torza. The Munstangs answered with a pin from Phoenix Senodenos over Ryder Gill in 3:15 and then added to their lead with a victory at 120 when Ryan Festerling, Jr. won 21-3 by technical fall over Tyson Price.
Coal City pulled even at 11-11 when Owen Petersen won by fall in 0:53 over Christian Sandoval and moved ahead at 132 when Cooper Morris got a 21-5 win by technical fall over Jackson Witt.
Luke Munsterman followed with a 12-4 major decision over Ryan Alaimo and Max Christensen made it 24-11 when he captured an 11-3 major decision over Adrian Wadas-Luis at 144.
Brody Widlowski recorded a pin in 0:50 over Levi Wheeler and then Aidan Kenney claimed a 16-4 major decision over Austin Wadas-Luis at 157 to make it 34-11 with six matches left.
Mason Garner captured a 17-3 major decision over Tyler Gleason and Brock Finch won by fall in 1:14 over Henry Fox at 175 to extend Coal City’s advantage to 45-11.
Evan Greggain won by fall in 0:37 over Kenny Fox and Cade Poyner received a forfeit at 215 before the Mustangs got a 7-1 decision from Hayden Wheeler over Payton Vigna in the finale.
In the other dual meet at the Coal City Sectional, the teams double-forfeited in the first two matches and then Chicago Hope Academy won the next 10 before Wendell Phillips Academy claimed victories in the last two matches.
Nolan Callahan got a 19-2 win by technical fall over Oluwatimileyin Ishola at 120 and Indigo Berg prevailed 22-16 over Andrew Price in a match that featured several stoppages.
Obadiah Willis won by fall in 1:26 over Jeremy Catching at 132 and then Jeremiah Lawrence got a pin in 0:51 over Jeremiah Holmes to give the Eagles a 20-0 advantage.
Chance Woods was a winner by fall in 1:08 over Kalvin Moore at 144 and Santori Knight recorded a pin in 1:26 over Maurice Buckner before Dylan Galvez claimed a forfeit win.
Ismael Martinez won by fall in 3:21 over Roderick Johnson at 165, Arkail Griffin followed with a forfeit win and Martin Rodriguez collected Chicago Hope Academy’s final victory at 190 when he won by fall in 1:13 over Trevon Morgan.
Charleston Rice gave the Wildcats their first victory with a 1-0 decision over Mastewal Evely at 215 and Jacob Reames got another win with a pin in 0:51 over Artin Esmaeili in the final match.
Coal City Sectional championship matches
106 – Jake Munsterman (Coal City) 43-3, So. over Mohammed Zia Nadre (Sullivan 22-5, Sr. (Inj. 1:21)
113 – Colton Drinkwine (Reed-Custer) 33-4, So. over Gavin Roudis (Coal City) 27-8, Fr. (MD 18-6)
120 – Raiden Terry (Seneca) 38-3, Jr. over Nolan Callahan (Chicago Hope Academy) 20-5, So. (Dec 7-0)
126 – Obadiah Willis (Chicago Hope Academy) 40-3, Fr. over Owen Petersen (Coal City) 39-5, Jr. (MD 8-0)
132 – Jeremiah Lawrence (Chicago Hope Academy) 27-2, Sr. over Cooper Morris (Coal City) 41-4, Jr. (Dec 7-4)
138 – Chance Woods (Chicago Hope Academy) 42-2, Sr. over Alex Kostecka (Bishop McNamara) 28-12, Sr. (Fall 3:00)
144 – Max Christensen (Coal City) 42-5, Fr. over Evan Cox (Clifton Central/ Iroquois West) 37-10, Sr. (Dec 12-6)
150 – Brody Widlowski (Coal City) 33-1, Sr. over Austin Wadas-Luis (Yorkville Christian) 35-15, Sr. (TF 4:37 22-5)
157 – Aidan Kenney (Coal City) 43-1, Sr. over Brayden Quas (Pontiac) 33-7, So. (Dec 11-5)
165 – Mason Garner (Coal City) 37-4, Sr. over Tyler Gleason (Yorkville Christian) 35-12, Sr. (Dec 9-3)
175 – Arkail Griffin (Chicago Hope Academy) 42-1, Jr. over Brock Finch (Coal City) 35-2, Sr. (MD 15-4)
190 – Logan VanDuyne (Wilmington) 38-3, Sr. over Landen Venecia (Seneca) 34-8, Sr. (TF 3:00 215 – Cade Poyner (Coal City) 42-3, Sr. over Colton Carson (Herscher) 41-12, Fr. (Fall 2:25)
285 – Charles Harris (Sullivan) 32-3, Sr. over Payton Vigna (Coal City) 34-10, Sr. (Dec 7-1)
Coal City Sectional third-place matches
106 – Davin Torza (Yorkville Christian) 37-10, So. over Sebastian Lara (Lisle Senior) 24-11, Jr. (TF 5:00 23-8)
113 – Phoenix Senodenos (Yorkville Christian) 28-5, Fr. over Evan Johnson (Bishop McNamara) 27-11, So. (Inj. 0:00)
120 – Christian Sandoval (Yorkville Christian) 28-20, Sr. over Tyson Price (Coal City) 21-9, Jr. (Dec 19-18)
126 – Alexander Ferari (Lisle Senior) 31-3, Sr. over Jonah Young (Peotone) 22-10, Fr. (Dec 6-3)
132 – Jayden Sanchez (Reed-Custer) 36-13, Sr. over Ardan Baglaev (Westmont) 34-12, So. (Fall 3:23)
138 – Luke Munsterman (Coal City) 40-6, Sr. over Ryan Alaimo (Yorkville Christian) 18-7, Jr. (Dec 7-0)
144 – Adrian Wadas-Luis (Yorkville Christian) 38-13, Sr. over Johnny Consuegra-Lopez (Lisle Senior) 26-9, Jr. (Dec 6-3)
150
1st – Brody Widlowski (Coal City) 33-1, Sr. over Austin Wadas-Luis (Yorkville Christian) 35-15, Sr. (TF 4:37 22-5)
3rd – Santori Knight (Chicago Hope Academy) 22-4, Sr. over Chase Rod (Seneca) 30-11, So. (Dec 12-11)
157 – Chase Siguenza (St. Francis) 14-2, Jr. over Dylan Galvez (Chicago Hope Academy) 37-8, Jr. (Dec 13-9)
165 – Ismael Martinez (Chicago Hope Academy) 30-10, Sr. over Lucas Hetman (Manteno) 30-11, So. (Fall 4:00)
175 – Lucas Maier (Pontiac) 40-4, So. over Gavin Bafia (Dwight/ Gardner-South Wilmington) 34-13, Sr. (MD 15-4)
190 – Evan Greggain (Coal City) 33-9, Sr. over Sami Marrero (Horizon Science Academy – Southwest Chicago) 18-4, Sr. (Fall 4:47)
215 – Dominic Alaimo (Reed-Custer) 38-10, Sr. over Jackson Allen (Yorkville Christian) 44-7, Sr. (Inj. 0:00)
285 – Josh McCurry (Clifton Central/ Iroquois West) 33-12, Jr. over Kian Bramer (Bishop McNamara) 23-19, Sr. (Dec 8-1)
Class 1A Coal City Class Dual Team Sectional Results
Coal City 56, Yorkville Christian 14
100 – Jake Munsterman (CC) TF 18-2 Davon Torza (YC)
106 – Phoenix Senodenos (YC) F 3:15 Ryder Gill (CC)
113 – Ryan Festerling, Jr. TF 21-3 Tyson Price (CC)
126 – Owen Petersen (CC) F 0:53 Christian Sandoval (YC)
132 – Cooper Morris (CC) TF 21-5 Jackson Witt (YC)
138 – Luke Munsterman (CC) MD 12-4 Ryan Alaimo (YC)
144 – Max Christensen (CC) MD 11-3 Adrian Wadas-Luis (YC)
150 – Brody Widlowski (CC) F 0:50 Levi Wheeler (YC)
157 – Aidan Kenney (CC) MD 16-4 Austin Wasas-Luis (YC)
165 – Mason Garner (CC) MD 17-3 Tyler Gleason (YC)
175 – Brock Finch (CC) F 1:14 Henry Fox (YC)
190 – Evan Greggain (CC) F 0:37 Kenny Fox (YC)
215 – Cade Poyner (CC) FFT
285 – Hayden Wheeler (YC) D 7-1 Payton Vigna (CC)
Chicago Hope Academy 56, Wendell Phillips Academy 9
106 – Double forfeit
113 – Double forfeit
120 – Nolan Callahan (CHA) TF 19-2 Oluwatimileyin Ishola (WPA)
126 – Indigo Berg (CHA) D 22-16 Andrew Price (WPA)
132 – Obadiah Willis (CHA) F 1:26 Jeremy Catching (WPA)
138 – Jeremiah Lawrence (CHA) F 0:51 Jeremiah Holmes (WPA)
144 – Chance Woods (CHA) F 1:08 Kalvin Moore (WPA)
150 – Santori Knight (CHA) F 1:26 Maurice Buckner (WPA)
157 – Dylan Galvez (CHA) FFT
165 – Ismael Martinez (CHA) F 3:21 Roderick Johnson (WPA)
175 – Arkail Griffin (CHA) FFT
190 – Martin Rodriguez (CHA) F 1:13 Trevon Morgan (WPA)
215 – Charleston Rice (WPA) D 1-0 Mastewal Evely (CHA)
285 – Jacob Reames (WPA) F 0:51 Artin Esmaeili (CHA)