***This article was written by Kelsey Scott, a participant of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust.

Throughout December, Kewanee’s wrestling team has been hard at work through practice, meets, and invitationals. To round out the month, Kewanee hosted two meets against very competitive teams on Dec. 18 and 19.

The wrestlers faced many challenges and saw more success than defeat, recording wins against Manual, Peoria Heights, and Monmouth Roseville. Yet, they could not defeat Newman Central Catholic or Rockridge. 

The Boilers look forward to hosting the Kewanee Wrestling Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 3 in Brockman Gym starting at 10 a.m. The team hopes to bring determination and drive and take first place on their home mats. 

On Dec. 18 the Boilers hosted Manual, Peoria Heights and Rockridge in Brockman Gymnasium. 

Kewanee (H.S) vs. Peoria (Manual) [44-12]

106 – Ryan Conway won by forfeit 

113 – Double Forfeit 

120 – Quentin Weir won by forfeit 

126 – Brayan Moreno-Gamboa won by forfeit 

132 – Nancy Morales over Kingston Peterson

138 – Double Forfeit 

144 – Lain Taylor over La’Darius Greene 

150 – Dontel Wommack won by forfeit 

157 – Jesse Gurnsey won by forfeit 

165 – Double Forfeit 

175 – Double Forfeit   

190 – Steele Martin over Adrian Gross 

215 – Nathan Cortez over Landon Weir

285 – Juan Zepeda won by forfeit 

Kewanee vs. Peoria Heights [42-11]

106 – Ryan Conway won by forfeit 

113 – Double Forfeit 

120 – Quentin Weir over Aidan Allen

126 – Double Forfeit 

132 – Chase Harmon over Brayan Moreno-Gamboa

138 – Double Forfeit 

144 – Jermain McKnight Jr. won by forfeit 

150 – Dontel Wommack won by forfeit 

157 – Double Forfeit 

165 – Brayden Johnson over Hunter Grohmann

175 – Steele Martin over Kaiden Boles   

190 – Double Forfeit 

215 – Landon Weir over Larry Teamer

285 – Crew Shaver won by forfeit 

Kewanee vs. Rockridge (30-44]

106 – Nate Lower of Rockridge won by forfei

113 – Ryan Conway won by forfeit 

120 – Noah Behr over Quentin Weir 

126 – Kingston Peterson over Cooper Larson

132 – Ben Lake over Brayan Moreno-Gamboa

138 – Clayton Blumenstein over Hunter Vancil

144 – Jermain McKnight Jr. over Zeke Degelman

150 – Lain Taylor over Klay Goodnight

157 – Dontel Wommack over Jacob Ryser 

165 – Thomas Sowards over Ace Lafollette

175 – Ryan Lower over Brayden Johnson 

190 – Owen ODell over Steele Martin

215 – Landon Weir won by forfeit

285 – Tanner McKeag over Juan Zeped

On Dec. 19 the Boilers hosted Sterling and Monmouth Roseville in Brockman Gymnasium and  recognized all the wrestling alumni. 

Kewanee vs. Sterling Newman [33-41]

106 – Joe Morse over Ryan Conway

113 – Brayden Hoffman of Sterling won by forfeit 

120 – Landon Near over Quentin Weir 

126 – Kingston Peterson over Javen Reyes 

132 – Landon Blanton over Brayan Moreno-Gamboa 

138 – Hunter Vancil over Aiden Vols

144 – Lain Taylor over Jason Curtin 

150 – Josiah Lewis over Dontel Wommack

157 – Ben Geske over Jermain McKnight Jr.

165 – Ayden Gutierrez over Ace Lafollette 

175 – Brayden Johnson over Matthew Blackert 

190 – Matthew Clemen over Steele Martin

215 – Landon Weir won by forfeit 

285 – Juan Zepeda over Mathew Murray 

Kewanee also had numerous exhibition matches against Newman:

106 – Ryan Conway over Brayden Hoffman

144 – Chance DeSplinter over Kingston Garner 

Kewanee vs. Monmouth-Roseville [65-10] 

106 – Double Forfeit

113 – Ryan Conway over Jacque Keka 

120 – Quentin Weir over Richard Awator 

126 – Brayan Moreno-Gamboa won by forfeit 

132 – Kingston Peterson over Dabens Saint-Martin

138 – Landon Peterson over Hunter Vancil

144 – Chance DeSplinter over Juan Ayala 

150 – Dontel Wommack won by forfeit 

157 – Jermain McKnight Jr. won by forfeit 

165 – Jesse Gurnsey won by forfeit 

175 – Ace Lafollette over Keegan Smith  

190 – Steele Martin won by forfeit 

215 – Landon Weir over Nikoli Snyder 

285 – Sailas Cung of Monmouth Roseville won by forfeit 

On Dec. 20 Kewanee’s girls wrestling team traveled to Morris and competed at their tournament. These girls’ hard work paid off landing them their spots at the tournament. 

145 – Aaliyah Swearingen 2nd 

125 – Jendayia Crowe 11th

130 – Esmeralda Martinez 7th