***Kelsey Scott is a participant of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust.
Kewanee High School wrestlers have pushed hard in the beginning half of the season leading them into an earned week off.
However, these wrestlers worked hard during their Christmas break and saw their dedication pay off, proving just that when winning against all five teams in the Super Duals hosted in Brockman Gymnasium on Saturday, Jan. 3.
KHS wrestling is well into the season and has built a strong team, and has been growing, learning and improving all wrestlers, especially the KHS freshmen.
KHS has seen roster and weight changes happen during home meets and in Saturday’s Super Duals due to injuries. KHS freshmen Ryan Conway, Quentin Weir, Aaliyah Swearingen and Steele Martin stepped up to the mat as a result.
Learning the ropes of varsity wrestling is definitely an obstacle as well as dualling up in weight. Yet, these freshmen wrestlers have quickly adapted into their spots with many victories.
For example, Conway, Weir and Martin have all wrestled up in their respective weight classes and have won. On top of that, freshmen Aaliyah Swearingen wasted no time when getting second place in the Morris Girls Tournament earlier in the season, and Jendayia Crowe went 3-2.
All in all, these wrestlers have many years to continue growing and improving in their skills and have shined bright thus far.
Kewanee also witnessed a grand feat during Saturday’s duals. These duals marked a milestone for one KHS senior. KHS wrestling captain Kingston Peterson won his 100th varsity match.
This accomplishment takes huge sacrifice, consistent effort, dedication and time. Peterson has faced many challenges during his four years with tough defeats but saw consistent triumph, earning him this distinct award.
With the season being well under way, Saturday’s wins set the team into a strong position with many opportunities into the later season.
KHS saw these huge successes against Abingdon, Amboy, Putnam County/Hall, Mendota and Somononauk. With each win for Kewanee, the changes made in each weight class, against every team show just how confident, trusting and competitive the KHS wrestlers truly are.
Kewanee vs. Abingdon (A.-Avon) [65-0]
106 – Ryan Conway won by forfeit
113 – Double Forfeit
120 – Trenton Edens won by forfeit
126 – Quentin Weir won by forfeit
132 – Double Forfeit
138 – Landyn Greenhagen over James Shuey
144 – Lain Taylor over Chase Deford
150 – Chance DeSplinter won by forfeit
157 – Jesse Gurnsey over Max Desmit
165 – Ace LaFollette over Dalton Brower
175 – Steele Martin won by forfeit
190 – Douglas Swearingen won by forfeit
215 – Double Forfeit
285 – Airies Simmons won by forfeit
Girls:
125 – Jendayia Crowe over Ashley Kokemor
Kewanee vs. Amboy [65-10]
106 – Aden Spinelli of Amboy won by forfeit
113 – Ryan Conway over Takota Brockhum
120 – Trenton Edens over Chase Huggins
126 – Kingston Peterson over Ty Florschuetz
132 – Landyn Greenhagen won by forfeit
138 – Double Forfeit
144 – Chance DeSplinter over Owen Eisenberg
150 – Lain Taylor over Caiden Heath
157 – Dontel Wommack over Jose Lopez
165 – Jesse Gurnsey won by forfeit
175 – Steele Martin over Olivea Glasper
190 – Douglas Swearingen over Darren Bell
215 – Double Forfeit
285 – Airies Simmons over Kodie Dempsey
Kewanee vs. Granville (Putnam County) [72-0]
106 – Ryan Conway won by forfeit
113 – Double Forfeit
120 – Quentin Weir won by forfeit
126 – Trenton Edens won by forfeit
132 – Landyn Greenhagen won by forfeit
138 – Double Forfeit
144 – Lain Taylor over Keaton Finley
150 – Chance DeSplinter over Chase Mecagni
157 – Jesse Gurnsey won by forfeit
165 – Ace LaFollette over Johathyn Jervis
175 – Steele Martin won by forfeit
190 – Douglas Swearingen over Alex Tucker
215 – Landon Weir over Hunter Buettner
285 – Airies Simmons over Justyn Doden
Kewanee vs. Mendota [61-10]
106 – Ryan Conway won by forfeit
113 – Double Forfeit
120 – Quentin Weir won by forfeit
126 – Trenton Edens won by forfeit
132 – Landyn Greenhagen over Benjamin Montgomery
138 – Hunter Vancil over Trayvon Rucker
144 – Chance DeSplinter won by forfeit
150 – Lain Taylor over Komen Denault
157 – Dontel Wommack over Gavin Evans
165 – Ace LaFollette over Felipe Gonzales
175 – Corbin Furar of Mendota over Steele Martin
190 – Douglas Swearingen over Clayton Tanner
215 – Reese Lane of Mendota over Landon Weir
285 – Airies Simmons over Grayson Lane
Girls:
125 – Esmeralda Martinez over Valerie Manz
Kewanee vs. Somononauk [63-0]
106 – Double Forfeit
113 – Double Forfeit
120 – Trenton Edens over Caleb Toto
126 – Quentin Weir won by forfeit
132 – Landyn Greenhagen won by forfeit
138 – Hunter Vancil over Owen Haggerty
144 – Double Forfeit
150 – Chance DeSplinter over Randy Mitchell
157 – Dontel Wommack over Tanner Daniels
165 – Jesse Gurnsey won by forfeit
175 – Steele Martin over Liam Orr
190 – Douglas Swearingen over Hunter Massiah
215 – Landon Weir over Anthony Winslow
285 – Airies Simmons won by forfeit
Kewanee hosted Eureka and Knoxville on Thursday, Jan. 8 before traveling to St. Bede on Friday, Jan. 9.
