Monte Smith is filing in-depth reports from the IHSA Wrestling State Finals for WRMJ. His complete recap of all the TRAC representatives from Day 1 is below.
106 Nate Lower (Rockridge) winner by fall in 4:33 over Kaden Daugherty (Vandalia)
Lower strikes with a quick takedown in the 1st period. He continued the scoring in the 2nd period by earning a penalty point followed by a reversal and another penalty point to extend his lead to 7-0 after the 2nd. He got another takedown in the 3rd period and was able to pin Daugherty soon after his takedown.
Quarterfinals – Nate Lower falls to Isaac Showalter (Farmington) by dec 8-3
Showalter started off the scoring with a quick takedown and then collecting 4 nearfall points on a turn to end the 1st period. Lower down 7-0 to start the 2nd period, Showalter picked top but was unable to create an offense and the score remained the same after the 2nd. Lower chose neutral and was able to set up a great attack to get a takedown and released Showalter in an attempt to close the gap but was unable to score any more points. Lower lost by decision to Showalter 8-3.
Up Next: Nate Lower will await the winner of Nadre (Sullivan) & LeDuc (Effingham) Friday afternoon in the 2nd Round of Wrestlebacks.
113 Boston Morford (Mercer County) winner by Dec 9-2 over Gavin Roudis (Coal City)
Morford with a takedown midway through the 1st period but Roudis quickly got an escape to leave Morford up 3-1 at the end of the 1st period. Morford gave up another escape to start the 2nd period, but went back on the attack with another takedown to lead 6-2 at the end of the 2nd period. Boston picked up another takedown in the 3rd period and finished with a tough ride on top to win 9-2 over Roudis.
Quarterfinals – Boston Morford wins by Dec 7-4 over Steven Uden
Morford settled in quickly with a takedown midway through the 1st period but gave up the escape to Uden shortly after. Morford continued on the attack but was unable to score any more points in the 1st period and lead 3-1. Uden chose bottom to start the 2nd period and was able to again secure an escape, but Morford went back to work on his feet and was able to fight his way into another takedown with 30 seconds left in the 2nd period. Uden was able to get an escape right at the end of the 2nd period, so Morford was up 6-3 after two. Morford picked bottom for the 3rd period and Uden elected to release Morford to go back on their feet. Morford was able to fend off all attacks that Uden attempted, while giving up a couple stalling calls that gave Uden a point. Boston Morford secured his semifinal berth with his 7-4 decision over Steven Uden and guaranteed himself a medal and will look to avenge previous losses to conference foe Augustus Swanson of Princeton on Friday night to punch his ticket to the finals on Saturday night.
Up Next: Boston Morford vs Augustus Swanson (Princeton) in the 113 Semifinals Friday night.
113 Augustus Swanson (Princeton) winner by Maj. Dec 10-1 over Phoenix Senodenos (Yorkville Christian)
Swanson quickly got a takedown and nearfall before giving up an escape to end the 1st period up 6-1. Swanson picked bottom in the 2nd period and was ridden out the entire period to stay up 6-1. Back on their feet in the 3rd period, Swanson collected a penalty point and then takedown before finishing the period on top to win by major decision 10-1 over Senodenos.
Quarterfinals – Augustus Swanson wins by fall in 1:38 over Ian Rotramel (GCMS)
Swanson quickly went to work in the 1st period with a takedown, gave up the escape, before taking Rotramel down again and securing the fall in 1:38 in the 1st period. Swanson secured his semifinal berth and guaranteed himself a medal as he will match up with a familiar foe in Boston Morford of Mercer County. Swanson has bested Morford in their previous battles and will look to punch his ticket to the finals on Saturday night with a victory.
Up Next: Augustus Swanson vs Boston Morford (Mercer County) in the 113 Semifinals Friday night.
113 Landon Near (Newman) winner by fall in 1:30 over Evan Johnson (McNamara)
Near made quick work in his first match of the day with a takedown and fall in the 1st period in 1:30. Near will look to secure his semifinal berth with a win over Bramlett in the quarterfinals tonight.
Quarterfinals – Landon Near wins by Dec 5-1 over Drevan Bramlett (Murphysboro)
Near and Bramlett eased into the match by feeling each other out and neither was able to score to leave the first period 0-0. Near chose bottom to start the 2nd period and was able to collect a reversal 30 seconds into the 2nd period before giving up a quick escape to Bramlett. Near went back on the attack and got a takedown with just under a minute left and rode out Bramlett to finish the 2nd period up 5-1. Bramlett picked bottom in the 3rd period but Near’s tough ride was able to keep Bramlett down and secure his spot in the semifinals Friday night and guaranteed himself a medal. With his victory, the TRAC has 3 wrestlers in the semifinals on Friday night and has locked up 3 of the 6 medals in the 113 lb weight class.
Up Next: Landon Near vs Brandon Gaither (Olympia) in the 113 Semifinals Friday night.
126 Zhyler Hansen (Newman) winner by decision 8-6 over Sergio Garcia (Murphysboro)
Hansen battled his way through a tough first round match against Garcia after giving up a takedown in the 1st period before collecting an escape. Garcia collected an escape to start the 2nd period before Hansen got a takedown midway through the 2nd period, but Garcia was able to get away with 6 seconds left in the 2nd to take back the lead 5-4. Hansen chose bottom to start the 3rd period and was able to get an escape and a quick takedown. Hansen got hit with a late stalling call and gave up an escape as time was expiring but won by Dec 8-6 over Garcia.
Quarterfinals – Hansen lost by Maj Dec 10-2 to Aiden Bell (Hoopston)
Bell struck first with a takedown late in the 1st period to go up 3-0. Hansen picked bottom in the 2nd but neither wrestler was able to muster up any offense or points to leave the match at 3-0 Bell. Bell picked bottom for the 3rd and was able to get a quick escape and takedown in the first 20 seconds of the 3rd period. Hansen quickly then got an escape to get back to their feet. Hansen down by 6 points then tried a handful of desperation moves in order to get a takedown before giving up another takedown to Bell. Hansen was able to escape again but again was unsuccessful in securing any points and lost by Maj Dec 10-2 to Bell.
Up Next: Zhyler Hansen will await the winner of Perez (Oregon) & Martin (GCMS) in the 126 2nd Round Wrestlebacks Friday afternoon.
132 Dean Wainwright (Riverdale) winner by Tech Fall in 1:45 over Ardan Baglaev (Westmont)
Wainwright, no stranger to the state floor, dominated in his first match with a quick takedown and multiple nearfall points awarded to earn a tech fall in the 1st period. Wainwright, a three time medalist, is looking to return to the top of the podium.
Quarterfinals – Dean Wainwright winner by Decision 8-1 over Mason Swartz (Oakwood)
Wainwright, a 3 time medalist and two time state champ started off his quarterfinal match with a quick takedown 13 seconds into the 1st period. Wainwright gave up the escape shortly after but with his quick aggressive style he got another takedown to lead 6-1 after the 1st period. Wainwright chose neutral to start the 2nd period but was unable to collect any points as Swartz made some adjustments to counter Wainwright’s attacks. Swartz chose top in the 3rd period, but Wainwright made quick work to get a reversal and then rode tough to finish the period out on top to win 8-1 and punch his ticket to the semifinals Friday night. With this victory, Wainwright is guaranteed to medal again this year and will be a four time medalist.
Up Next: Dean Wainwright vs Jeremiah Lawrence (Chi. Hope Academy) in the 132 Semifinals Friday night..
132 Landon Blanton (Newman) winner by Tech Fall in 2:38 over Jayden Sanchez (Reed Custer)
Blanton dominated in his 1st match of the day by trading takedowns for escapes with Sanchez. Blanton finished the 1st period with five takedowns to lead 15-4. Blanton chose neutral to start the 2nd period and secured a takedown and a 4 point nearfall to win by tech fall 22-4 in 2:38.
Quarterfinals – Landon Blanton winner by Dec 2-1 over Barret Speck (Illini Bluffs)
After a scoreless 1st period, Speck was able to score first in the 2nd period after picking bottom by getting a quick escape. Neither wrestler was able to create any offense on their feet but Speck was hit with a stalling call so the 2nd period ended with Speck up 1-0. Blanton chose bottom in the 3rd and was able to get a quick escape himself and kept up the pace and attacks that led to another stalling call against Speck, which gave Blanton a penalty point. Blanton himself got hit with a stalling call late in the 3rd period but was able to fend off the late attacks from Speck. Blanton won by decision 2-1 and punched his ticket to the semifinals on Friday night. With Blanton’s win, the TRAC will hold two semifinal spots and be guaranteed two medals at 132 lbs.
Up Next: Landon Blanton vs Max Philpot (Vandalia) in the 132 Semifinals Friday night.
138 Kane Dauber (Princeton) winner by Tech Fall in 1:27 over Kenzer Burrell (Olympia)
Dauber made quick work in his first match of the day with a takedown in 15 seconds into the 1st period. Dauber then collected three 4 point nearfalls to win by Tech Fall in 1:27.
Quarterfinals – Kane Dauber lost by Dec 11-6 to Devin Ehler (Oakwood).
Ehler was able to get a takedown midway through the 1st period. Dauber was able to escape a little while later but Ehler got another takedown shortly after they were back on their feet. Dauber chose bottom in the 2nd period and gave up a 4 point nearfall before he was able to escape leaving Ehler with a 10-2 lead heading into the 3rd period. Ehler chose neutral and Dauber had to take a short injury time before getting a takedown of his own. Ehler would then be hit with two stalling calls that would give Dauber a penalty point before finally escaping at the end of the 3rd period. Despite Dauber’s late rally it wasn’t enough to secure a victory as he fell 11-6 to Ehler.
Up Next: Dauber will await the winner of Kostecka (McNamara) & Glass (LeWin) in the 2nd Round Wrestlebacks Friday afternoon.
165 – Eli Burns (Mercer County) winner by Maj. Dec 20-6 over Braxton Kieffer (Litchfield)
Burns was able to get a quick takedown in the 1st period and ride out Kieffer to end the period up 3-0. Burns picked bottom and was able to get the escape and then followed that up with another nice takedown straight into a turk to get 4 nearfall points as well. Burns then gave up a reversal and got winged up to give up 2 nearfall points to end the 2nd period with Burns up 11-4. Kieffer picked top, so Burns went back to work on bottom after giving up a penalty point, was able to get a reversal and locked up a cradle to get 4 nearfall as well. Kieffer got an escape late but Burns secured another takedown and was looking for more nearfall as the 3rd period expired to win 20-6.
Quarterfinals – Eli Burns lost by Dec 9-8 to Mason Garner (Coal City)
Burns got off to a quick start using his Russian tie to get a takedown 20 seconds into the 1st period. Burns then let Garner up to give him the escape point and the pair was unable to score, ending the 1st period with Burns leading 3-1. Garner chose bottom in the 2nd period and was able to get the escape 30 seconds into the period but Garner got hit for stalling. Again, neither wrestler was able to get any more points so Burns led 3-2 after the 2nd. Burns picked bottom to start the 3rd period and was able to get a quick reversal to increase his lead. Garner was able to get an escape after Burns was hit with a stalling call. Burns went back to work on his feet to secure a takedown with 30 seconds left in the 3rd at the edge of the mat. With the reset, Garner took advantage by getting into a scramble position and was able to throw Burns to his back with under 10 seconds left to collect a reversal and a 4 point nearfall.
Up Next: Eli Burns will await the winner of Martinez (Hope) & Lamour (Paris) in the 2nd Round Wrestlebacks on Friday afternoon.
165 Casey Etheridge (Princeton) winner by Tech Fall in 2:14 over Zayne Zinkgraf (Vandalia)
Etheridge attacked first with a takedown 6 seconds into the match. He would then collect two 4 point nearfalls to finish the 1st period to be up 11-0. Etheridge chose bottom to start the 2nd period and got a quick escape and takedown to win by Tech Fall.
Quarterfinals – Casey Etheridge winner by decision 9-7 over Justin Zimmerman (Porta)
Zimmerman started off the scoring with a takedown halfway through the 1st period. Etheridge was able to escape shortly after, but Zimmerman stayed on the attack and got another takedown. Etheridge again was able to escape but this time collected a takedown of his own to finish the period down 6-5. Etheridge chose bottom in the 2nd period and was able to get an escape but neither wrestler scored the rest of the period to leave them tied at 6 after 2 periods. Zimmerman picked bottom and was able to escape but Etheridge picked up another takedown with 30 seconds left and rode out Zimmerman to punch his ticket to the semifinals tomorrow night and guaranteed himself a medal.
Up Next: Casey Etheridge vs Mason Garner (Coal City) in the Semifinals Friday night.
285 Caleb Reymer winner by fall 2:13 over Josh McCurry (Clifton)
Reymer got off to a quick start with a takedown and took McCurry to his back for 2 nearfall. Reymer kept working for another turn but was unsuccessful to end the 1st period up 5-0. Reymer went right back to work to start the 2nd period with another fast takedown and was able to pick up the fall 13 seconds into the 2nd period.
Quarterfinals – Caleb Reymer lost in Overtime by Dec 4-1 to Julien Tanner (Murphysboro)
Reymer and Tanner battled through the 1st period with both wrestlers looking for a way to break through the defense but the period ended with no score. Reymer picked bottom to start the 2nd and was able to quickly get an escape. The pair again tussled the rest of the 2nd period without any scoring, Reymer held a 1-0 advantage after two periods. Tanner selected bottom to start the 3rd period and Reymer rode tough for almost a minute before Tanner took injury time for his knee that got twisted up. After returning to action, Tanner was able to get an escape to tie up the match 1-1 but again neither wrestler could gain an advantage to score to send it to overtime. Reymer then tried a shot but got over extended and Tanner was able to scoot around for the takedown and overtime victory.
Up Next: Caleb Reymer awaits the winner of Amann (Freeburg) & Harris (Sullivan) in the 2nd Round Wrestlebacks Friday afternoon.
Other TRAC Results
106 Tyler Grennan (Newman) lost by fall in 2:00 to Braxton Tittle (Benton) in the 1st Round.
Up Next: Tyler Grennan vs Davin Torza (Yorkville Christian) Friday morning in 1st Round Wrestlebacks.
132 Clayton Blumenstein (Rockridge) lost by fall in 2:27 to Jeremiah Lawrence (Chi Hope Academy) in the 1st Round.
Up Next: Clayton Blumenstein vs Jacob Hardesty (Canton) Friday morning in 1st Round Wrestlebacks.
138 Landon Peterson (Mon-Rose) lost by Tech Fall in 5:30 to Nelson Benesh (Oregon)
Up Next: Landon Peterson vs Broady Kelly (Robinson) Friday morning in 1st Round Wrestlebacks.
157 Thomas Sowards (Rockridge) lost by fall in 1:42 to Brayden Quas (Pontiac)
Sowards looked good to start the 1st period with a takedown in 23 seconds. Quas quickly got an escape and struck with his own takedown with just under a minute left in the 1st period. Quas then was able to get the cradle locked up against Sowards and get the fall in the 1st period.
Up Next: Thomas Sowards vs Derek Wilkey (Benton) Friday Morning in 1st Round Wrestlebacks.
Visit our TRAC webpage to stay updated with the conference throughout the season.