Metro-East’s top 13 hopes
Here are the metro-east’s top 13 hopes to bring home state wrestling championships
The 2020 Illinois State Individual State Wrestling Tournament is still a little more than two months away, but already the top 13 wrestlers from southern Illinois have emerged as contenders for the top of the medal platform at State Farm Center in Champaign.
IHSA State Tournament runners-up a year ago, Althoff senior Anthony Federico and Josh Koderhandt of Belleville West highlight a list of local wrestlers ranked in the top five of their respective classes according to the most recent Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association State poll.
Federico is one of four Crusaders ranked in the Class 1A poll.
Following is a list of those who look to be the best bets to contend for state titles on the University of Illinois campus, Feb. 20-22, 2020.
CLASS 1A
106 Pounds: Matthew Minick, Althoff. Minick No. 1 ranked, placed 4th at 106 in 2018 and 5th at 106 in 2019
120 Pounds: Shawn Minick, Althoff, No. 3 ranked. placed 4th at 113 pounds in 2019
145 Pounds: Anthony Federico, Althoff, No. 2 ranked, placed second at 132 pounds in 2019; placed 6th at 132 pounds in 2018
170 Pounds: Joe Braunagel, Althoff, ranked 4th, placed 6th at 170 pounds in 2019
CLASS 2A
152 Pounds: Garrett Bakarich, Triad ranked 2nd, placed fifth at 145 pounds in 2019
152 Pounds: Chase Overton, Mascoutah, ranked 5th., was a state qualifier at 145 pounds in 2019
160 Pounds: Zeke Waltz, Jerseyville, ranked 3rd, placed 5th at 152 pounds in 2019
170 Pounds: Caleb Grau, Mascoutah, ranked 2nd, placed 5th at 170 pounds in 2019
182 Pounds: Arnold Edwards, Cahokia, ranked 2nd, placed third at 195 pounds in 2019
CLASS 3A
120 Pounds: Josh Koderhandt, Belleville West, ranked 2nd; placed second at 113 pounds in 2019
152 Pounds: Adam Thebeau, Belleville East, ranked 5th
160 Pounds: Luke Odom, Edwardsville, ranked 1st, placed 3rd at 126 in 2018 and third at 106 in 2017
285 Pounds: Lloyd Reynolds, Edwardsville, ranked 1st; placed 6th at 285 pounds in 2019