***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.