After winning two consecutive matches in the consolation (wrestleback) bracket at the IHSA Boys State Wrestling Meet in Champaign, Kewanee wrestler Alejandro Duarte is guaranteed a fifth or sixth place medal today after he faces Nolen Yeary (39-8), a senior from Stanford Olympia.
Duarte lost his bid for an opportunity to wrestle for a third place medal after losing to Jude Beers (43-3), a senior from Johnson City, by the slimmest of margins (a 4-2 decision) in the wrestleback semifinals.
Duarte’s final match on Saturday at the State Farm Center will mark his sixth match of the three-day tournament.
Alejandro Duarte (40-6), junior – 215 lbs
Alejandro won his first round match Thursday against Brandon Turner (43-8), a junior from Frankfort, by pin at 1:38 to earn a spot in the quarterfinals.
In Thursday night’s quarterfinals action, Duarte went the distance against Chris Peura (46-4), a senior from Seneca, but lost a hard-fought 6-5 decision.
Second Round – wrestleback bracket
Duarte won by pin over Nelson Rider (42-9), a senior from Carmi (White County) (@ 1:56)
Third Round – wrestleback bracket
Duarte won by pin over Aiden Fisher (40-13) of Orion (@ 1:24)
Fourth Round – wrestleback (semifinals)
Jude Beers (43-3) of Johnston City won by decision over Alejandro Duarte (Dec 4-2)
Finals (fifth place)
Alejandro Duarte (40-6) will face Nolen Yeary (39-8), a senior from Stanford (Olympia).
Jamal Lasenby, senior (18-7) – 175 lbs
Kewanee senior Jamal Lasenby’s inspiring and short-lived wrestling career came to a close on Friday after recording his second loss of the tourney.
Lasenby’s final opponent, James Keigher (34-16), a senior from Coal City, defeated Lasenby (18-7) by a decision of 10-6.
