Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher qualifies nine at 1A Olympia Sectional

By Curt Herron – for the IWCOA

STANFORD – This has been a very special season for the Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op team. Coach Josh Carter’s Falcons have gone 26-2 with their only losses to top-ranked and unbeaten defending Class 1A champion Coal City and Class 2A Dual Team qualifier Mahomet-Seymour. The team also won championships at Plano, Lincoln and the Ridgeview Regional, took second place at Mahomet-Seymour and placed fifth at Princeton’s Lyle King PIT.

They also will be making their fourth appearance in the IHSA Class 1A Dual Team Finals in Bloomington and their first visit in that event since 2015, when a team coached by Carter beat Shelbyville then lost in the semifinals to Mercer County and took fourth place after falling to Coal City, the third time it won a trophy in the competition. The state’s sixth-ranked team earned their spot in next Friday’s 7 p.m. quarterfinals with second-ranked Lena-Winslow/ Stockton co-op after claiming a 57-20 victory over the host team in the Class 1A Canton Dual Team Sectional.

The Falcons figure to go into that competition on a high note after its showing at the Class 1A Olympia Sectional in Stanford. GCMS/F sent five individuals to the title mat and finished with three champions, two individuals who placed second and four others who were in the top-four to give it a sectional-high nine qualifiers for this weekend’s IHSA Individual Finals in Champaign.

Champions for the Falcons were freshman Ian Rotramel (113, 34-13), sophomore Landen Lage (138, 41-2) and junior Hudson Babb (157, 44-1) while junior Nolan Lowe (144, 39-10) and sophomore Hunter Brandon (150, 40-11) both finished in second place. 

Senior Gage Martin (126, 35-12) claimed third place while freshman Bentley Fields (106, 38-10), sophomore Camden Brucker (132, 38-11) and junior Cooper Miller (165, 40-11) finished in fourth place while freshman Kaden Huster (120, 24-8) and senior Jaxon Wright (215) fell one victory shy of making state appearances.

The nine state qualifiers GCMS/ F had ranked third in Class 1A behind Coal City (14) and Vandalia (10). Only Providence Catholic (13) and IC Catholic Prep (12) in 2A and Joliet Catholic Academy (10), Marmion Academy (10) and Montini Catholic (9) in 3A sent as many to state.

Unity Christian/ Argenta-Oreana co-op’s VerHeecke brothers, seniors Garrett (144, 45-0) and Clinton (150, 42-0) were two of the four unbeaten champions in the sectional. The three-time all-staters hope to conclude their careers with their first state championships.

Two other champions who are unbeaten heading to state are Canton senior Dyllan Steele (120, 28-0) and Farmington/ Cuba co-op freshman Isaac Showalter (106, 40-0). Canton also has a champion with just one defeat, senior Connor Williams (285, 36-1) and another champion with just one loss is Hoopeston Area/ Milford co-op senior Aiden Bell (126, 38-1).

Sectional title winners with only two losses are PORTA/ A-C Central/ Greenview/ Havana co-op senior Justin Zimmerman (165, 35-2), Sacred Heart-Griffin junior Casen Lyons (190, 40-2) and Mt. Zion senior Keller Stocks (215, 44-2). 

The other two sectional champs also have impressive records, Illini Bluffs sophomore Barret Speck (132, 41-3) and Beardstown senior Gunner Looker (175, 41-4).

Coach Josh Collins’ host Spartans had seven state qualifiers. Finishing in second place were were freshman Connor Collins (106, 36-6) and senior Darian Holloway (285, 41-5) while sophomores Brandon Gaither (113, 36-8) and Kenzer Burrell (138, 36-15) finished third and sophomore Tucker Garey (126, 36-8), junior Austin Kisner (150, 31-11) and sophomore Kaden Collins (157, 40-10) took fourth place.

Also finishing in second place were Rochester junior James Escobar (165, 38-5) and senior Connor Broughton (215, 31-10), St. Joseph-Ogden sophomore Ben Wells (113, 42-7), PORTA co-op sophomore Kainin Fillbright (120, 38-9), Canton senior Maddux Steele (126, 31-5), Riverton junior Harrison Lott (132, 35-2), Unity freshman AJ Daly (138, 38-13), Warrensburg-Latham/ Maroa-Forsyth co-op senior Charlie Wittmer (157, 42-5), Macomb junior Jeshua McPheeters (175, 38-10) and Williamsville senior Sam Shaw (190, 23-7).

Additional third-place finishers were PORTA sophomore Coyt Rademaker (106, 39-7) and senior Zach Bryant (144, 40-7), Quincy Notre Dame junior Cale Hilbing (150, 35-6) and senior Bradi Lahr (157, 43-4), Heyworth sophomore Tristan Stamp (175, 43-5) and junior Jarrod Fulcher (215, 41-9), Clinton junior Briley Carter (120, 13-3), Canton junior Jacob Hardesty (132, 33-5), Unity senior Abram Davidson (165, 44-7), Knoxville freshman James Long (190, 39-9) and Deer Creek-Mackinaw junior Joey Humphries (285, 42-6).

Others who took fourth place were El Paso-Gridley sophomore Kole Petta (113, 37-7) and junior Braden Gibson (190, 25-8), Heyworth sophomore Emmett Roeder (120, 35-11), Monmouth-Roseville sophomore Landon Peterson (138, 36-3). Eureka sophomore Finn Hoffman (144, 36-8), Unity senior Josh Heath (175, 39-13), Warrensburg-Latham/ Maroa-Forsyth co-op sophomore Graham Blackwell (215, 33-17) and St. Joseph-Ogden junior Cam Wagner (285, 31-8).

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Here are the champions and their weight classes from the Class 1A Olympia Sectional: 

106 – Isaac Showalter, Farmington/ Cuba co-op

Isaac Showalter has won all 40 matches that he’s been in during his freshman season for the Farmington/ Cuba co-op and he won his fifth tournament with a 4-2 decision over Olympia freshman Connor Collins in the 106 title match. Showalter was the first of four unbeaten champions at the sectional and is the only unbeaten individual at 106 in Class 1A. The lone qualifier for coach Jacob Durbin’s Farmers, he opened with a fall before claiming a 15-6 major decision over Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op freshman Bentley Fields in the semifinals.

“It feels good,” Showalter said. “There were a lot of kids here. I’ve known Connor for a long time and he’s a really good guy and I’ve wrestled him many times and it goes back-and-forth. And I had another close match, so it just feels good to be able to come out on top. I’ve been at it ever since I was three years old practicing in the room and four years old, when I started wrestling in some competitions. I know it’s a lot harder and it’s a big jump from junior high and it makes feel good to know that I can still compete. I’m just going to try to keep it rolling through the state series and see what I can do there. I’m ready to get there and see how I can do and hopefully make some noise. There’s a lot of good kids that I practice with and I like them a lot. I love my coaches, they’ve helped me through this and have been there ever since I was young.”  

Collins (36-6) was one of two second-place finishers and seven state qualifiers for the host Spartans, who are coached by his father, Josh Collins. He followed a win by technical fall with a 7-3 decision in the semifinals over PORTA co-op sophomore Coyt Rademaker (39-7), a  two-time qualifier who took third place by recording a fall in 4:00 over Fields (38-10). Falling one victory shy of advancing to state were Hoopeston Area/ Milford co-op freshman Dylan Warner (23-13) and Camp Point Central/ Brown County co-op freshman Jordan Friday (31-14). 

113 – Ian Rotramel, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op

Ian Rotramel achieved something special that not many freshmen do, and that is to claim his first tournament title in a sectional. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op’s Rotramel (34-13) captured a win by technical fall in 4:36 over St. Joseph-Ogden sophomore Ben Wells in the 113 title match, avenging a loss one week earlier. Rotramel was one of three champs, five finalists and nine qualifiers for coach Josh Carter’s Falcons. He opened with a victory by technical fall, followed with a pin and won 11-0 over El Paso-Gridley sophomore Kole Petta in the semifinals.

“I think just coming in as a freshman was hard for me,” Rotramel said. “I’ve had to bump up to 120 some times because it’s better for the team. It’s just those different, harder matchups that can get to you sometimes. You just have to keep your head up, even those losses can be really hard on you. I think we jell really good together as a team, especially in the practice room. Just having all of these good kids who are just helping each other and push each other to be better. I’ve been wrestling since kindergarten, about 12 years. It’s going to be great seeing the great competition at state. I really like that we have a great coaching staff. Coach Carter is really good at knowing where to put everyone in different places and just knows the sport of wrestling, which is great.”        

Wells (42-7), who qualified for the first time, was the lone finalist and one of two qualifiers for coach Bill Gallo’s Spartans. He opened with a victory by technical fall and then claimed a 10-7 win by sudden victory over Olympia sophomore Brandon Gaither in the semifinals. For third place, Gaither (36-8), who took sixth place at 106 last season, won by fall in 1:06 over Petta (37-7), a first-time qualifier. Falling one win shy of state trips were Beardstown senior Bryan Islas (31-11) and Camp Point Central/ Brown County co-op freshman Jack Welch (37-9).        

120 – Dyllan Steele, Canton

Dyllan Steele improved to 28-0 and will be making his third-straight trip to the 1A Finals and the Canton senior hopes that his first medal is for an IHSA championship. He was one of two title winners, joined his twin brother Maddux as a finalist and also one of four qualifiers for coach Zach Crawford’s Little Giants. He won a 4-0 decision over PORTA co-op sophomore Kainin Fillbright in the 120 title match for his fifth tourney championship. Steele opened with a fall and got a win by technical fall in 5:36 over Heyworth sophomore Emmett Roeder in the semifinals.  

“We’ve trained together for years,” Steele said of Maddux. “I was part of the state team (2023) with Joe (Norton) and over the years, we’ve just built and built and became a better program under our coaches. I’ve dedicated so much time over the past year with AAU, and coach Crawford has pushed and pushed me and my practice partners have also pushed me and made me better than I was last year. (Maddux) He’s having a great season, he just needs to step it up for the state series. I have so much confidence that I’m going to get there this year.” 

Fillbright (38-9) was one of two finalists and four qualifiers for the Bluejays, who are coached by Jeff Hill, the state’s all-time leader in dual meet wins. A two-time qualifier who won two titles this season, he opened with a fall and won a 5-2 decision in the semifinals over Clinton junior Briley Carter (13-3), a two-time qualifier who took third with a 3-2 decision over first-time qualifier Roeder (35-11). Falling one victory shy of advancing to state were Illini Bluffs freshman Liam Major (29-10) and Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op freshman Kaden Huster (24-8).     

126 – Aiden Bell, Hoopeston Area/ Milford co-op

Aiden Bell is headed to the Class 1A Finals for the first time as a senior for Hoopeston Area/ Milford co-op and owns a 38-1 record after winning a 7-0 decision over Canton senior Maddux Steele in the 126 title match. He won his fifth tournament to become the lone qualifier for Chris Kelnhofer’s Cornjerkers. He got wins by technical fall in his other two matches, needing 3:59 in the semifinals over Warrensburg-Latham/ Maroa-Forsyth co-op sophomore Zayden Mansfield. His lone loss was 6-4 to Chicago Hope Academy’s Obadiah Willis in the finals at Reed-Custer.

“It feels really good to finally get my name out there and prove myself after all of the work that I’ve done during the offseason,” Bell said. “I think the key to the postseason is that you’ve got to be on your ‘A’ game every day. I’ve felt pretty good and think I’ve had a lot of good, neutral defense and I haven’t given up many takedowns. I’m just looking to score points and get to my offense. My dad, John Bell, and my head coach, Chris Kelnhofer, are great and they’re always pushing me to do my best and they’re putting in time with me before and after practice.”             

Steele (31-5), a senior and twin brother of 120 champ Dyllan Steele, was one of four qualifiers for coach Zach Crawford’s Little Giants. He opened with a pin and won 14-4 over Olympia sophomore Tucker Garey (36-8) in the semifinals. A fifth-place finisher at 106 in 2023, this his third state trip after missing out last year. For third, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op’s Gage Martin (35-12) won by medical forfeit over Garey and both are first-time qualifiers. Falling a win shy of state were Illinois Valley Central junior Hunter Tolliver (19-7) and Mansfield (35-11).         

132 – Barret Speck, Illini Bluffs

Barret Speck took fifth place at 120 last season as a freshman at Illini Bluffs and hopes to improve on that finish in his second state trip. The sophomore improved to 41-3 after winning by fall in 1:20 over Riverton junior Harrison Lott in the 132 title match. Speck edged Monticello senior Nick Litchfield 3-0 and then won 11-5 over Canton junior Jacob Hardesty in the semifinals to help him capture his fourth tourney title. He was the lone qualifier for coach Juan Cibrian’s Tigers and hopes to become the seventh individual from his school to collect two IHSA medals.

“I feel ecstatic,” Speck said. “Last year, I had a rough go and I lost by one in the semis at sectionals to a person I lost to three times, so that was tough. Just being a sectional champ and making it to state feels so much better and just puts me in a better spot. I came out pretty good and got about 15 to 20 wins and went up against a tough opponent at ABE’s, Max Philpot. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been watching Cameron Clark, Paul (Ishikawa), Hunter (Robbins) and Jackson (Carroll) and it makes me a better wrestler knowing that I’m a very competitive person and I like to break records, so I’m currently on a quest to beat Jackson Carroll’s record of wins. Being a sectional champ makes me feel great and puts me in a great position, since I have one of the toughest brackets in 1A. It puts me in a good spot to possibly go all the way.”

Lott (35-2), who qualified for state for the first time, was the lone qualifier for coach Marcus Durrett’s Hawks, A winner of four tournaments this season, he opened with a victory by technical fall before claiming a 10-0 major decision over Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op sophomore Camden Brucker in the semifinals. For third place, Hardesty (33-5), a two-time qualifier, won 7-2 over Brucker (38-11), who’ll make his first trip. Mt. Zion sophomore Sammy Toth (25-9) and Eureka junior Henry Watson (39-10) both fell one victory shy of state trips.

138 – Landen Lage, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op

Landen Lage claimed fifth place at 126 as a freshman for Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op and now hopes to move up on the awards stand in Champaign after improving to 41-2 following his 7-0 decision over Unity freshman AJ Daly in the 138 championship match. One of three title winners, five finalists and nine qualifiers for coach Josh Carter’s Falcons, the sophomore captured his third tournament title after getting two victories by technical fall, with the second of those coming in 5:06 over Olympia sophomore Kenzer Burrell in the semifinals.    

“The team is doing really well and everyone is competing,” Lage said. “Especially in practice, we’re trying to stay healthy and get after it every day and the partners are amazing and we’re all good role models for each othe r.Even stuff outside of the room like eating healthy and going to get another workout. We talk about it at practice and every kid is trying to level up to the next level. Coach Carter is an amazing influence on me through my everyday life as a role model. And coach (Logan) Deacetis from Prairie Central has been coaching me offseason for about three years and was a Division I wrestler at Bucknell and is phenomenal and he pushes me every day. From 106 to heavyweight, we all get along. I can tell them anything that’s going on and they’ll be there for me. And if I’m not doing what I’m supposed to do, they’ll get on me for that. We’re always cheering and just having fun and laughing and there’s not a dull moment.”   

Daly (38-13) was the lone finalist and one of three qualifiers for coach Logan Patton’s Rockets. He recorded pins in his first three matches, capped by a fall in 3:00 over Monmouth-Roseville sophomore Landon Peterson in the semifinals to assure himself of a state appearance as a freshman. For third place, Burrell (36-15) won by fall in 1:39 over Peterson (36-3) in a matchup of first-time qualifiers. Falling one win shy of state were Mt. Zion senior Vincent Baker (37-12), who was a state qualifier last season, and PORTA co-op sophomore Jaxen Feagans (37-12).    

144 – Garrett VerHeecke, Unity Christian/ Argenta-Oreana co-op

Garrett VerHeecke enters the final week of his high school career needing three wins to cap an unbeaten season for Unity Christian/ Argenta-Oreana co-op, the program he and his brother Clinton helped start that’s coached by Zach Whitsel. He’s 45-0 and 176-10 for his career and the brothers were two of four unbeaten champions at the sectional. Garrett took first at 144 with a win by technical fall in 4:49 over Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op junior Nolan Lowe. The three-time IHSA 1A medalist was second at 132 to Riverdale’s Dean Wainwright in 2025, third at 126 in 2024 and sixth at 120 in 2023. He got a pin and a 13-3 win over Farmington/ Cuba co-op senior Bradlee Ellis in the semifinals enroute to his sixth tourney title this season.

“Being back-to-back undefeated state champs is really a goal that we’ve had since we were little kids,” Garrett VerHeecke said of him and Clinton. “So capping that off next week at State Farm Center would be awesome. We started Unity Christian wrestling four years ago and they didn’t have a program before. When we came as freshmen and asked if we could start a team, we had eight kids, so it’s just been awesome to see it build with more kids, more success and more growth. Going from placing third at sectionals my freshman year to winning it the past few years has been awesome. Hopefully kids in the future will look at us as a representation of what Unity Christian wrestling is. It’s exciting and I’m just looking forward to it.  I’m coming to practice, excited to work and seeing everything as an opportunity. It’s been a really mindset switch that I’ve had. I don’t have to do this, I get to do this and that’s been a big change for me and just trusting in my coaches and practice partners and my brother.”       

Lowe (39-10), a two-time qualifier and one of five finalists and nine qualifiers for coach Josh Carter’s Falcons, won 2-1 on a tiebreaker over PORTA co-op senior Zach Bryant before claiming a 5-0 decision over Eureka sophomore Finn Hoffman in the semifinals. For third place, Bryant (40-7), a three-time qualifier who was sixth at 132 in 2025, won a 4-2 decision over Hoffman (36-8), who’s making his state debut. Ellis (37-3) lost two in a row to be denied a fourth state trip and Unity freshman Hayden Smith (39-14) lost by sudden victory to fall a bit short.   

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150 – Clinton VerHeecke, Unity Christian/ Argenta-Oreana co-op

Clinton VerHeecke hopes that he and his brother Garrett close their careers at Unity Christian/ Argenta-Oreana co-op for coach Zach Whitsel with them both becoming four-time medalists and unbeaten IHSA 1A champions. Clinton improved to 42-0 and 175-6 in his career after winning the 150 title by fall in 3:04 over Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op sophomore Hunter Brandon. He followed a pin with a win by technical fall in 4:30 over Quincy Notre Dame junior Cale Hilbing in the semifinals to capture his fifth tournament title this season. The three-time IHSA 1A medalist took fifth at 138 last season, fifth at 120 in 2024 and third at 113 as in 2023.

“Being able to start our own program at Unity Christian with me and Garrett and coach Whitsel and the kids that are seniors now was great,” Clinton VerHeecke said. “And we get a lot of help from our school and from our co-op school, Argenta-Oreana. And we have coach Gary Cook, a guy known statewide, and he’s been around here a couple of years now and he’s awesome and helps us a lot. And coach Whitsel is day in and day out and has been there since day one. All of our teammates work their butts off and we wouldn’t be here without them. My partners helping me day in and day out and my brother pushing me at home to do the right things. I have a support system with my parents, going out and doing Freestyle and Greco stuff. Those things are all huge steps for my success. This is an awesome opportunity and it’s really a blessing.”   

Brandon (40-11), who’s a two-time qualifier, was one of five finalists and a sectional-high nine qualifiers for coach Josh Carter’s Falcons. He opened with a win by technical fall before getting a pin in 1:15 over Mt. Zion freshman Connor Misner in the semifinals. In the third-place match, first-time qualifiers met and Hilbing (35-6) captured a 3-0 decision over Olympia junior Austin Kisner (31-11), who won three in the wrestlebacks after losing to Hilbing 8-2 in the quarterfinals. Falling one win shy of state trips were Canton junior Grady Smith (18-11) and Misner (29-22).    

157 – Hudson Babb, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op

Hudson Babb won his sixth tournament title and stayed unbeaten against Illinois opponents to clinch a second-straight appearance at the IHSA 1A Finals. The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op junior improved to 44-1 after winning the 157 title match by technical fall in 5:32 over Warrensburg-Latham/ Maroa-Forsyth co-op senior Charlie Wittmer. Babb was one of three champions, five finalists and nine qualifiers for coach Josh Carter’s Falcons. He followed a fall in his opener with an 8-6 decision over Quincy Notre Dame senior Bradi Lahr in the semifinals. 

“I’m definitely really happy with the team,” Babb said. “Even the guys that didn’t qualify for state, they went out there and put their foot on the line and worked really hard all season and just left it all on the mat, so I’m just really proud of those guys. And I’m proud of the guys who made it to state, they’ve worked really hard for this and they’ve definitely earned it. Our team has limited options, considering we’re in Class 1A. But all of our guys are quality guys who’ve worked in the offseason and been working on the mat, every practice, every single day. We’re doing the right things and working together. After last year, when I went 1-2 at state, I didn’t forget that and kept it at the back of my head and I didn’t take any breaks. Everyone is pushing each other to be the best. And everyone’s a lot of fun and we all get along really well.”   

Wittmer (42-5), who won four tournament titles, is back at state for a second time. He was the lone finalist and one of two qualifiers for coach Garrett Knock’s Cardinals. He opened with a major  decision and won 9-3 over Olympia sophomore Kaden Collins in the semifinals. For third place, two-time qualifier Lahr (43-4) won by fall in 1:37 over Collins (40-10), a first-time qualifier. Falling shy of advancing were PORTA co-op senior Logan Baker (38-11), with sectional-highs of three wins by technical fall and 56 total match points, and Canton junior Alex Carrier (31-12).         

165 – Justin Zimmerman, PORTA/ A-C Central/ Greenview/ Havana co-op

Justin Zimmerman took fifth place at 157 in the 2025 IHSA 1A Finals so the PORTA co-op senior hopes to become the sixth individual from his school to win two or more IHSA medals this weekend. Zimmerman (35-2) won by fall in 3:00 over Rochester junior James Escobar in the 165 title match. The lone champ and one of four qualifiers for the Bluejays, who are coached by 2024 IHSA Grand Marshal Jeff Hill, he opened with a victory by technical fall and then won 5-3 in the semifinals over Unity senior Abram Davidson to help him claim his fifth tournament title.

“Just watching your weight and being disciplined all week factors into how you wrestle and how you practice every day,” Zimmerman said. “We have state placers come in, former alumni come in and you have state qualifiers all around you, so it’s never an easy practice. When we have someone who comes in from the junior high, he (coach Hill) just develops them from the first practice and every day they get better and all of the practices are purposeful. If I just take it one match at a time, I think I should be able to do pretty well.”   

Escobar (38-5), who’s making his state debut and looks to be his program’s third medalist, was one of two qualifiers for coach Brad Alewelt’s Rockets. He won a major decision and then had a victory by technical fall before getting a pin in 0:41 over Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op junior Cooper Miller in the semifinals. For third, Davidson (44-7) won by medical forfeit over Miller (40-11), and both are two-time qualifiers. Falling a win shy of state trips were Beardstown junior Maddox Medrano (42-7) and Quincy Notre Dame junior Abram Zanger (25-11).

175 – Gunner Looker, Beardstown

Gunner Looker would like to end his career at Beardstown by becoming the sixth individual from his school to win a state medal and just the second to try to compete for an IHSA title while also making his initial appearance in the IHSA 1A Finals. The senior improved to 41-4 after winning by technical fall in 4:24 over Macomb junior Jeshua McPheeters in the 175 title match. The lone qualifier for coach Joe Kolb’s Tigers, he followed a fall with a 6-5 win over Heyworth sophomore Tristan Stamp in the semifinals to help him to capture his fourth tournament title of the season.  

“I looked at some of the other sectionals and maybe one that I thought was harder than this and I knew coming in, that I was the highest-ranked and I knew I had to wrestle good,” Looker said. “I had a little bit of an injury last week that I was trying to nurse. I think next week I’ll be able to open up and we’ll see what happens at state. I lost to (Pontiac’s) Lucas Maier before I won the Prairie Central tournament, and that was the second time I lost to him. So I knew then that I had to change my style, and that’s what I’ve done. Competing for Beardstown is pretty awesome. The head coach is great, the assistant coach has been here for just two years, but he’s great and tries to get everyone hyped up. And we have very good middle school program coaches, and they help a lot. I just think that it’s a great place to wrestle. This means I’m one of the best in the state. That’s something I kind of lacked the mentality of, but now I know that I belong.”       

McPheeters (38-10), the lone qualifier for coach Luke Ladd’s Bombers, got a pin in his first match, followed that with a major decision and then claimed an 8-6 decision over Unity senior Josh Heath in the semifinals to assure himself of qualifying for the first time. In the third-place match, Stamp (43-5) claimed an 8-5 decision over Heath (39-13) in a meeting between two first-time state qualifiers. And coming up one victory short of advancing to state were Deer Creek-Mackinaw senior Caleb Greer (26-11) and Mt. Zion senior Carson Thornton (29-5).

190 – Casen Lyons, Sacred Heart-Griffin

Casen Lyons used to play football for one of the state’s top programs, Sacred Heart-Griffin, but he gave up on that sport so he could focus all of his energies on wrestling. The junior improved to 40-2 and won his fourth tournament by getting a pin in 1:37 over Williamsville senior Sam Shaw in the 190 title match. He’ll make his second state trip as the lone qualifier for coach Myles Alexander’s Cyclones. Lyons, who hopes to become his program’s second medalist, also won two major decisions, beating El Paso-Gridley junior Braden Gibson 11-2 in the semifinals.

“It’s a great feeling, I’ve been waiting for this my whole life,” Lyons said. “Last year, I lost in the (sectional) finals so it was amazing just to get back and wrestle. Summer wrestling was probably the biggest thing I’ve ever done. I quit football and quit all the other sports. They have (Sacred Heart-Griffin) a big football team and I love them and they work hard but if I can’t give 100 percent to a sport, I can’t do it. Wrestling’s where my heart is. I went from a C student to a straight-A student so Sacred Heart’s academics are incredible and all of our sports are absurdly good, so it’s an honor to go there. I’m just going to wrestle. Literally just prepare as best as I can. Eat right, train right, stay away from injuries. I plan on placing and doing my best.”       

Shaw (23-7), the only qualifier for coach Josh Scranton’s Bullets, used two wins by technical fall and a pin to advance, beating St. Teresa freshman Brody York by technical fall in 2:37 in the semifinals to assure himself of his first trip to state, where he’d like to become the school’s first medalist. In the third-place match, Knoxville freshman James Long (39-9) won by fall in 1:11 over Gibson (25-8), which made him the only individual in the field to record five pins. York (16-9) also fell in the consolation semifinals, as did Olympia freshman Caleb Peters (28-12).       

215 – Keller Stocks, Mt. Zion

Keller Stocks feels fortunate that he’s been able to compete for Mt. Zion and learn from coach Dave Klemm, a 2012 Lifetime Service Award recipient from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame – Illinois Chapter. The Braves senior improved to 44-2 and was his team’s lone qualifier after five others lost in the semifinals or consolation semifinals. A three-time qualifier who took fourth at 215 last year, he won his fourth title with a fall in 2:55 over Rochester senior Connor Broughton. He had two other pins, including in 2:33 over Heyworth junior Jarrod Fulcher in the semifinals. 

“We’ve got a lot of hard workers and a lot of people who are trying to push me to be better and push themselves, and that allows me to reach my full potential,” Stocks said. “I’m very lucky. He (coach Klemm) motivates me very much and pushes me. He’s an inspirational figure and he coached my dad. He’s really a great coach. I think I have the ability and I have the confidence. I’m just real excited.” 

Broughton (31-10), one of two runners-up and qualifiers for coach Brad Alewelt’s Rockets, won his first three matches with pins, with the third in 1:31 over Warrensburg-Latham/ Maroa-Forsyth co-op sophomore Graham Blackwell in the semifinals to earn his initial state trip. Both he and James Escobar hope to become their school’s third medalist. For third, Fulcher (41-8) got a pin in 5:25 over Blackwell (33-17), both first-time qualifiers. Falling a win shy of state were GCMS/F co-op senior Jaxon Wright (26-11) and LeRoy/ Tri-Valley co-op freshman Jackson Ritch (29-16).    

285 – Connor Williams, Canton

Connor Williams placed fifth at 285 last season and is looking for much better as he heads to the IHSA 1A Finals with a 36-1 record and titles in all five of his tournaments with his lone defeat by ultimate tiebreaker. The Canton senior took first at 285 at the Olympia Sectional with a 7-1 decision over Olympia senior Darian Holloway. He was one of two champs, three finalists and four qualifiers for coach Zach Crawford’s Little Giants. The three-time qualifier opened with two falls, with the second of those in 2:57 over Mt. Zion senior Evan Ashmore in the semifinals.

“I’m extremely fortunate and I’m so grateful that I get to do it (compete for Canton),” Williams said. “It was a culture change. Everyone was not so adamant about wrestling and then everyone just started loving it. I just don’t think about losing and focus on winning. You don’t think about the negatives, only the positives. (Canton’s Steele brothers) They will push you and the whole room pushes each other. I like that we’re a family and not just wrestlers.” 

Holloway (41-5) was one of two second-place finishers and seven qualifiers for coach Josh Collins’ host Spartans. He had two pins and a decision to advance to the 285 finals, assuring his first state appearance with a fall in 5:33 over Pleasant Plains’ senior Cash Thomas in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Deer Creek-Mackinaw junior Joey Humphries (42-6) won by fall in 3:25 over St. Joseph-Ogden junior Cam Wagner (31-8). The two seniors who got beaten in the semifinals, Ashmore (25-10) and Thomas (13-2), also fell in the consolation semifinals.    

Class 1A Olympia Sectional championship matches

106  – Isaac Showalter (Farmington/ Cuba co-op) 40-0, Fr. over Connor Collins (Olympia) 36-6, Fr. (Dec 4-2)

113 – Ian Rotramel (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op) 34-13, Fr. over Ben Wells (St. Joseph-Ogden) 42-7, So. (TF 4:36 15-0)

120 – Dyllan Steele (Canton) 28-0, Sr. over Kainin Fillbright (PORTA/ A-C Central/ Greenview/ Havana co-op) 38-9, So. (Dec 4-0)

126 – Aiden Bell (Hoopeston Area/ Milford co-op) 38-1, Sr. over Maddux Steele (Canton) 31-5, Sr. (Dec 7-0)

132 – Barret Speck (Illini Bluffs) 41-3, So. over Harrison Lott (Riverton) 35-2, Jr. (Fall 1:20)

138 – Landen Lage (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op) 41-2, So. over AJ Daly (Unity) 38-13, Fr. (Dec 7-0)

144 – Garrett VerHeecke (Unity Christian/ Argenta-Oreana co-op) 45-0, Sr. over Nolan Lowe (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op) 39-10, Jr. (TF 4:49 17-1)

150 – Clinton VerHeecke (Unity Christian/ Argenta-Oreana co-op) 42-0, Sr. over Hunter Brandon (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op) 40-11, So. (Fall 3:04)

157 – Hudson Babb (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/  Fisher op) 44-1, Jr. over Charlie Wittmer (Warrensburg-Latham/ Maroa-Forsyth co-op) 42-5, Sr. (TF 5:32 15-0)

165 – Justin Zimmerman (PORTA co-op) 35-2, Sr. over James Escobar (Rochester) 38-5, Jr. (Fall 3:00)

175 – Gunner Looker (Beardstown) 41-4, Sr. over Jeshua McPheeters (Macomb) 38-10, Jr. (TF 4:24 16-0)

190 – Casen Lyons (Sacred Heart-Griffin) 40-2, Jr. over Sam Shaw (Williamsville) 23-7, Sr. (Fall 1:37)

215 – Keller Stocks (Mt. Zion) 44-2, Sr. over Connor Broughton (Rochester) 31-10, Sr. (Fall 2:55)

285 – Connor Williams (Canton) 36-1, Sr. over Darian Holloway (Olympia) 41-5, Sr. (Dec 7-1)

Class 1A Olympia Sectional third-place matches

106 – Coyt Radamaker (PORTA co-op) 39-7, So. over Bentley Fields (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op) 38-10, Fr. (SV 7-4)

113 – Brandon Gaither (Olympia) 36-8, So. over Kole Petta (El Paso-Gridley) 37-7, So. (Fall 1:06)

120 – Briley Carter (Clinton) 13-3, Jr. over Emmett Roeder (Heyworth) 35-11, So. (Dec 3-2)

126 – Gage Martin (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op) 35-12, Sr. over Tucker Garey (Olympia) 36-8, So. (M. For.)

132 – Jacob Hardesty (Canton) 33-5, Jr. over Camden Brucker (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op) 38-11, So. (Dec 7-2)

138 – Kenzer Burrell (Olympia) 36-15, So. over Landon Peterson (Monmouth-Roseville) 36-3, So. (Fall 1:39)

144 – Zach Bryant (PORTA co-op) 40-7, Sr. over Finn Hoffman (Eureka) 36-8, So. (Dec 4-2)

150 – Cale Hilbing (Quincy Notre Dame) 35-6, Jr. over Austin Kisner (Olympia) 31-11, Jr. (Dec 3-0)

157 – Bradi Lahr (Quincy Notre Dame) 43-4, Sr. over Kaden Collins (Olympia) 40-10, So. (Fall 1:37)

165 – Abram Davidson (Unity) 44-7, Sr. over Cooper Miller (Gibson City.-Melvin-Sibley/ Fisher co-op) 40-11, Jr. (M. For.)

175 – Tristan Stamp (Heyworth) 43-5, So. over Josh Heath (Unity) 39-13, Sr. (Dec 8-5)

190 – James Long (Knoxville) 39-9, Fr. over Braden Gibson (El Paso-Gridley) 25-8, Jr. (Fall 1:11)

215 – Jarrod Fulcher (Heyworth) 41-9, Jr. over Graham Blackwell (Warrensburg-Latham/ Maroa-Forsyth co-op) 33-17, So. (Fall 5:25)

285  – Joey Humphries (Deer Creek-Mackinaw) 42-6, Jr. over Cam Wagner (St. Joseph-Ogden) 31-8, Jr. (Fall 3:25)