Class 1A Dual Team Sectional roundup
By Curt Herron – for the IWCOA
Class 1A Oregon Dual Team Sectional
Oregon qualifies for state for first time since 2008
There was a 12-year span from 1997 to 2008 when Oregon went to the IHSA Dual Team Finals eight times and earned a trophy on each occasion, winning a Class A title in 1998 and taking second place on three occasions. However, that had been the last time it qualified for state.
But on Tuesday at their own Blackhawk Center, the Hawks ended the long drought away from dual team state when they captured a 39-30 victory over Newman Central Catholic in the IHSA Class 1A Oregon Sectional to earn a spot in Friday’s quarterfinals at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington where they meet Unity in a 7 p.m. dual meet.
While the score looks fairly close, Oregon won six of the first seven matches to build a 36-3 advantage midway through the meet. While the Comets won five in a row to pull to within 36-24, there were only three matches left and the hosts won the second of those to wrap things up for
coach Justin Lahman’s team and deny Newman Central Catholic, which is coached by Brian Bahrs, of getting back to state for the first time since 2011, when it took first place in 1A.
“We had a packed house with both Oregon and Newman fans filling the stands,” Lahman said. “We started at 113 which helped start the dual with some big pins early. The match that really set the tone was a comeback fall from Preston LaBay at 126. He was pinned by (Zhyler) Hansen at the individual sectional and was trailing going into the third period before he locked up a cradle late. That really got the crowd going along with three more quick falls to put us up 36-3 going into the better part of Newman’s lineup.
“We had multiple guys save bonus points and then Briggs Sellers at 285 was able to clinch the dual. Our dual in season came down to Briggs needing a win to win the dual and he fell just short. For him to go out and get the win not only for himself but the team was just the perfect ending. We have a great group of wrestlers this year and are looking to get one more win Friday to guarantee themselves a team trophy this year! I can’t thank the staff we have enough for their time and commitment this year and it’s truly paying off!”
Oregon 39, Newman Central Catholic 30
113 Josiah Perez (Oregon) over Javen Reyes (Newman Central Catholic), Fall 3:55
120 Isaiah Perez (Oregon) over Kaylee Benyo (Newman Central Catholic), Fall 1:00
126 Preston LaBay (Oregon) over Zhyler Hansen (Newman Central Catholic), Fall 5:32
132 Landon Blanton (Newman Central Catholic) over Nelson Benesh (Oregon), Dec 4-1
138 Jackson Messenger (Oregon) over Jason Curtin (Newman Central Catholic), Fall 0:44
144 Levi Benton (Oregon) over Seamus McDonnell (Newman Central Catholic), Fall 0:42
150 Jayden Berry (Oregon) over Josiah Lewis (Newman Central Catholic), Fall 1:09
157 Briar Ivey (Newman Central Catholic) over Ethan Mowry (Oregon), Fall 1:47
165 Timothy Plote (Newman Central Catholic) over Leyton Kenney (Oregon), Maj 16-5
175 Daniel Kelly (Newman Central Catholic) over Andrew Young (Oregon), TF 19-3
190 Matthew Clemen (Newman Central Catholic) over Seth Rote (Oregon), Dec 10-9
215 Jacob Newberry (Newman Central Catholic) over Landen Elder (Oregon), SV-1 15-12
285 Briggs Sellers (Oregon) over Mathew Murray (Newman Central Catholic), Dec 8-4
106 Landon Near (Newman Central Catholic) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf
Returning champion Marian Central Catholic rolls past Sandwich
Defending Class 1A champion Marian Central Catholic won the first nine matches and jumped out to a 43-0 lead as it qualified for the IHSA Class 1A Dual Team Finals for the second year in a row with a 66-6 victory over Sandwich at the 1A Oregon Sectional. It meets Murphysboro in Friday’s quarterfinals at 5 p.m.
The Hurricanes, who are co-coached by Jordan Blanton and Ryan Prater, defeated 2023 Class 1A champion Coal City 34-27 in last year’s title meet to claim their first state championship. Marian Central Catholic, which only graduated four individuals from last year’s title team, could meet the Coalers again this weekend, but it would be in Saturday’s 9 a.m. semifinals.
This is the program’s fifth appearance at the dual team finals with the first three occurring between 2018 and 2020 in Class 2A, a three-year run of state trips under coach David Silva during which time they claimed their first state trophy in 2019, when they placed third.
Marian Central Catholic 66, Sandwich 6
113 Camden Spiniolas (Marian Central Catholic) over Lydia Cartwright (Sandwich), Dec 9-3
120 Austin Hagevold (Marian Central Catholic) over Leo Harbacek (Sandwich), Fall 0:56
126 Brayden Teunissen (Marian Central Catholic) over Jakob Gruca (Sandwich), TF 19-1
132 Nick Marchese (Marian Central Catholic) over Colten Stone (Sandwich), TF 17-2
138 Andrew Alvarado (Marian Central Catholic) over Jaxson Blanchard (Sandwich), Maj 14-5
144 Noah Cerny (Marian Central Catholic) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf
150 Vance Williams (Marian Central Catholic) over Joshua Kotalik (Sandwich), TF 20-2
157 Connor Cassels (Marian Central Catholic) over Josh Lehman (Sandwich), Dec 13-7
165 Nic Astacio (Marian Central Catholic) over Alton Spears (Sandwich), Fall 1:16
175 Kai Kern (Sandwich) over Luca Colatori (Marian Central Catholic), Fall 0:35
190 Dan French (Marian Central Catholic) over Kaden Clevenger (Sandwich), Fall 3:37
215 Jimmy Mastny (Marian Central Catholic) over Devon Blanchard (Sandwich), Fall 2:23
285 Kaleb Eckman (Marian Central Catholic) over Unknown (Unattached). Forf
106 Diego Martinez (Marian Central Catholic) over Hunter Whitecotton (Sandwich), TF 22-5
Class 1A Unity Dual Team Sectional
Unity gets back to state with victory over PORTA
Unity returns to the IHSA Class 1A Dual Team Finals in Bloomington for the second year in a row after it defeated PORTA 50-28 in its own sectional meet in Tolono.
Coach Logan Patton’s Rockets won the first five matches to go up 27-0 and nine of the first 10 to wrap things up. They face Oregon in Friday’s quarterfinals at 7 p.m. at the Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.
The Rockets fell 48-30 to Roxana in last year’s quarterfinals and hope that they can win their program’s fourth trophy and third under Patton, who led teams to third-place finishes in both 2020 and 2022. PORTA, which is coached by Jeff Hill, the state’s all-time leader in dual meet victories, was hoping to return to the dual team finals for the first time since 2014.
Unity 50, PORTA 28
132 Hunter Shike (Unity) over Ryan McCoy (PORTA), TF 15-0
138 Taylor Finley (Unity) over Hunter King (PORTA), TF 15-0
144 Kaden Inman (Unity) over Jaxen Feagans (PORTA), TF 19-3
150 Holden Brazelton (Unity) over Camdon Woodvine (PORTA), Fall 0:51
157 Keegan Germano (Unity) over Jamarion Thomas (PORTA), Fall 3:34
165 Justin Zimmerman (PORTA) over Josh Heath (Unity), Maj 13-4
175 Abram Davidson (Unity) over Drayden Mayfield (PORTA), Fall 0:27
190 Ryan Rink (Unity) over Dane Jianonni (PORTA), TF 16-1
215 Hunter Eastin (Unity) over Avery Hansen (PORTA), Fall 1:08
285 Chason Daly (Unity) over Jayden Minor (PORTA), Fall 2:48
106 Coyt Rademaker (PORTA) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf
113 Laikyn Scheland (PORTA) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf
120 Kainin Fillbright (PORTA) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf
126 Max King (PORTA) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf
Olympia defeats Canton to earn spot at state finals
Olympia will be competing in the IHSA Class 1A Dual Team Finals for the first time since 2017 for the tenth time in its history after defeating Canton 52-25 at the 1A Unity Sectional in Tolono.
Coach Josh Collins’ Spartans trailed coach Zach Crawford’s Little Giants 10-0 two matches in and were still down 22-18 midway through the meet before winning six of the final seven matches. Olympia faces Coal City in Friday’s 5 p.m. quarterfinals in Bloomington.
“We’ve got a young team that has been determined and dedicated all season,” Collins said. “One of our big goals was to qualify for team state and the kids put the work in to make that happen.
“We’re up against a consistently dominant team in Coal City. Our wrestlers will have to be prepared to win some matches that we’re not supposed to win on paper to get past them. They’ve put the work in and they’re motivated and excited to have the opportunity.”
Olympia 52, Canton 25
132 Dyllan Steele (Canton) over Kenzer Burrell (Olympia), Fall 4:42
138 Jack Jochums (Canton) over Cooper Phillips (Olympia), Maj 17-7
144 Austin Kisner (Olympia) over Alex Carrier (Canton), Fall 5:11
150 Kaden Collins (Olympia) over Jireh Hedges (Canton), Fall 2:24
157 Kelton Graden (Olympia) over Grady Smith (Canton), Fall 0:47
165 Daniel Kees (Canton) over Kayden Thomas (Olympia), Fall 1:02
175 Gus Lidwell (Canton) over Isaac Warnock (Olympia), Fall 1:16
190 Zach Fry (Olympia) over Garrett Sego (Canton), Maj 15-7
215 Cohen Maness (Olympia) over Jude Hulvey (Canton), Fall 1:01
285 Connor Williams (Canton) over Darian Holloway (Olympia), Dec 8-3
106 Brandon Gaither (Olympia) over Dean Bruketta (Canton), Fall 3:18
113 Tucker Garey (Olympia) over Jaxsun Owens (Canton), Fall 2:41
120 Dylan Eimer (Olympia) over Ayden Stewart (Canton), Fall 1:34
126 Mateo Martinez (Olympia) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf
Class 1A Vandalia Dual Team Sectional
Vandalia heads to state as favorite, beats Oakwood/ Salt Fork
Vandalia enters the IHSA Class 1A Dual Team Finals as the slight favorite over defending state champion Marian Central Catholic and 2023 Class 1A title winner Coal City after rolling past Oakwood/ Salt Fork 63-12 in the sectional tournament that it hosted on Tuesday.
The Vandals, coached by 2025 IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee Jason Clay, took fourth place last season in Class 1A and achieved the top ranking after defeating the Coalers and Hurricanes at ABE’s Rumble and then edging Coal City at the Lyle King Princeton Invitational Tournament.
In the dual meet with coach Mike Glosser’s Comets, Oakwood/ Salt Fork won the first three matches to grab an early 12-0 advantage. However, Vandalia won the next 11 matches, which featured seven pins and three wins by technical fall as well as a forfeit victory.
The program qualified for the dual team finals for the 24th time, which ranks second to Montini Catholic, with 25 trips, and it is looking to win its first title since 1996. The Vandals meet Chicago Hope Academy in Friday’s 7 p.m. quarterfinals at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.
Vandalia 63, Oakwood/ Salt Fork 12
132 Tyler Huchel (Oakwood/ Salt Fork) over Brody Matthews (Vandalia), Dec 5-4
138 Devin Ehler (Oakwood/ Salt Fork) over Cole Yarbrough (Vandalia), Dec 8-1
144 Pedro Rangel (Oakwood/ Salt Fork) over Zayne Zinkgraf (Vandalia), Fall 3:27
150 Dillon Hinton (Vandalia) over Carter Chambliss (Oakwood/ Salt Fork), TF 17-1
157 Dade Kleinik (Vandalia) over Keagan Leclaire (Oakwood/ Salt Fork), TF 19-1
165 Parker Ray (Vandalia) over Blake Trimmel (Oakwood/ Salt Fork), Fall 1:45
175 Artan Mustafa (Vandalia) over Tucker Pesek (Oakwood/ Salt Fork), Fall 3:01
190 Ross Miller (Vandalia) over Emmett Grimm (Oakwood/ Salt Fork), Fall 4:37
215 Kaden Tidwell (Vandalia) over Brayden Norton (Oakwood/ Salt Fork), Fall 3:04
285 Dominic Swyers (Vandalia) over Kade Fleming (Oakwood/ Salt Fork), Fall 0:27
106 Aiden Evans (Vandalia) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf
113 Max Philpot (Vandalia) over Steven Uden (Oakwood/ Salt Fork), Fall 1:28
120 Preston Waughtel (Vandalia) over Weston Frazier (Oakwood/ Salt Fork), Fall 2:20
126 Tyson Waughtel (Vandalia) over Mason Swartz (Oakwood/ Salt Fork), TF 15-0
Murphysboro defeats Althoff Catholic to qualify for state
Murphysboro will be making its third appearance in the IHSA Class 1A Dual Team Finals and its first trip there since it claimed third place in 2016 after defeating Althoff Catholic 50-20 at the Vandalia Sectional. Althoff Catholic was looking to return to state for the first time since 2018.
Coach Shea Baker’s Red Devils lost the opener but then won the next six matches to claim a 29-6 advantage at the midway mark. After coach Emanuel Brooks’ Crusaders closed the gap to 33-20, Murphysboro won the last three matches to wrap up the victory.
Murphysboro advances to Friday’s 5 p.m. quarterfinals against defending Class 1A champion Marian Central Catholic at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.
Murphysboro 50, Althoff Catholic 20
132 Brenden Rayl (Althoff Catholic) over Jeret Edwards (Murphysboro), Fall 0:45
138 Aiston Holt (Murphysboro) over Robbie Schallert (Althoff Catholic), Dec 7-1
144 Lemar Treshansky (Murphysboro) over John Taylor (Althoff Catholic), Fall 0:44
150 Bryce Edwards (Murphysboro) over Ryan Hogue (Althoff Catholic), Fall 1:34
157 Sayvair Williams (Murphysboro) over Austin Wilkinson (Althoff Catholic), Dec 5-4
165 Maxon Stearns (Murphysboro) over Aidan Delisle (Althoff Catholic), Fall 0:37
175 Logan Tanner (Murphysboro) over Jakobi Tow (Althoff Catholic), TF 19-4
190 Stephen Ache (Althoff Catholic) over Nick Christopher (Murphysboro), Fall 4:57
215 Caybren Hubbard (Murphysboro) over Enrique Morales (Althoff Catholic), Maj 9-1
285 Jason Dowell (Althoff Catholic) over Julien Tanner (Murphysboro), Dec 4-0
106 Jacobi Cobbs (Althoff Catholic) over Jerry Moreno (Murphysboro), TF 17-0
113 Paxton Pyatt (Murphysboro) over Karson Fowler (Althoff Catholic), Fall 1:35
120 Kaiden Richards (Murphysboro) over Liam Bundt (Althoff Catholic), TF 15-0
126 Sergio Garcia (Murphysboro) over Unknown (Unattached), Forf