***This article was written by Kelsey Scott, a participant in The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program at Kewanee High School, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust.
Last week, the KHS wrestling team spent their Thursday and Friday dualling it out for four wins against Sherrard, Mercer County, Alleman, and Riverdale.
On Thursday the team travelled to Sherrard, wrestling them and Mercer County for the win. On Friday, the team wrestled on home turf taking down Alleman (57-18) and Riverdale (48-36).
Fast pins, long rallies, and tough fights helped Kewanee all around. Jermain McKnight Jr. takes the speedy route, wasting no time to pin his opponents from Riverdale in 37 seconds and Alleman in 30 seconds. Kingston Peterson’s long rally and persistence turns into a success with a pin against Riverdale at 5 minutes and 7 seconds. Finally, Douglas Swearingen’s tough fight and determination made the difference in a decision win against Alleman.
Kewanee H.S. vs. Alleman
106 – Ryan Conway won by forfeit
113 – Isaiah Rosas of Alleman won by forfeit
120 – Trenton Edens won by forfeit
126 – Tennyson Hampton over Kingston Peterson
132 – Sullivan Ahern over Brayan Moreno-Gamboa
138 – Hunter Vancil won by forfeit
144 – Lain Taylor over Rodolfo Espinoza
150 – Chance Desplinter over Will Hampton
157 – Jermain McKnight Jr. over Tom Todd
165 – Brayden Johnson won by forfeit
175 – Jordan Thompson over Ace Lafollette
190 – Douglas Swearingen over Truman Marner
215 – Landon Weir over Hau Mong
285 – Aries Simmons won by forfeit
Kewanee also had multiple exhibition matches:
175 – Steele Martin won by forfeit
285 – Khai Thang over Korbin Phelps
Kewanee vs. Riverdale
106 – Cole Smith won over Ryan Conway
113 – Finley Sullivan of Riverdale won by forfeit
120 – Benjamin Porter over Trenton Edens
126 – Kingston Peterson over Elijah Newton
132 – Corbin Mathis over Brayan Moreno-Gamboa
138 – Dean Wainwright over Hunter Vancil
144 – Lain Taylor over Brady Rogers
150 – Triton Pulfrey over Chance Desplinter
157 – Jermain McKnight Jr. over Brayden Giegle
165 – Ace Lafollete over Christian Harries
175 – Brayden Johnson over Jax McClaine
190 – Douglas Swearingen won by forfeit
215 – Landon Weir over Caden Foster
285 – Aries Simmons over Jacob Schradeya
The wrestlers divided and conquered on Saturday.
The girls traveled to Princeton and competed at their invitational while the boys traveled to Seneca and competed at their tournament. The wrestlers had huge successes all around that made a lengthy day worth it.
With both team’s outstanding performances, the boys’ hard work paid off and as a team they placed 3rd against 20 schools.
Girls:
125 – Jendayia Crowe placed 2nd
155 – Aliyah Swearingen placed 1st
Boys:
106 – Ryan Conway 6th
120 – Trenton Edens 4th
126 – Kingston Peterson 4th
138 – Hunter Vancil CHAMP
144 – Lain Taylor 4th
150 – Chance DeSplinter 6th
165 – Ace LaFollette (*made it to the 3rd place match)
175 – Brayden Johnson 6th
190 – Douglas Swearingen 2nd
215 – Landon Weir 3rd
285 – Airies Simmons 4th
Due to IHSA rules, wrestlers may not compete in more than six matches, therefore they cannot wrestle after the sixth match.
The boys will next compete at PORTA’s (Petersburg) invitational on Saturday, December 13.
The KHS wrestlers will be back in action looking for more opportunities at IVC (Chillicothe) on Thursday, December 11 before competing in the PORTA (Petersburg) Invitational on Saturday.
