***This article was written by Itzel Mosso Ramos, a participant of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust.
On Saturday, the KHS wrestling team hosted its 45th annual tournament.
Nineteen teams competed in Brockman Gym, and the Boilers managed to come out on top with 237.5 points. KHS’s closest competitor, Morrison High School, stood to win the invite until the final matches of the afternoon.
Area wrestlers hit the mat at 9 a.m. and fought until nearly 5 p.m. Before the championship matches, Kewanee honored the day’s best wrestlers with its “Walk of Champions,” during which competitors walked across the mats to shake hands with their fellow finalists.
KHS staff and students were thrilled to bring the invite back this year. Kewanee had to cancel the tournament in January 2024 due to inclement weather.
In a post-game interview with Russ Hughes, head coach and KHS instructor Charley Eads looked to the future and focused on the progress his team can still make this season.
“We still got a long way to go to get to where we want to be. We got a lot of little things to clean up to win the team regionals come regionals week, so at least we can still look at this win, enjoy it, and then know that we can still get better. That’s the best part,” Eads reflected.
The Boilers will return to KHS for their final home dual of the season this Thursday, Jan. 23, at 5:30 p.m. in Good’s Gym. The Boilers’ battle against the Orion Chargers will also serve as KHS’s senior night.
Team Scores:
1. Kewanee (H.S.) 237.5
2. Morrison 231.0
3. Sherrard 161.0
4. Fulton (H.S.) 129.5
5. Peru (St. Bede) 120.0
6. Farmington 116.0
7. Monmouth (M. -Roseville) 110.0
8. Eureka 96.0
9. Rockford (Auburn) 83.5
10. Knoxville 69.0
11. Polo 62.0
12. Oneida (ROWVA) 59.0
13. Mendota 56.0
14. Monmouth (United) 36.0
15. Granville (Putnam County) 28.0
15. Peoria (Manual) 28.0
16. Streator (Twp.) 17.5
17. Kewanee JV 0.0
18. Peoria Heights 0.0
113
Tyson Currie v. Tyrone Sims (Rockford (Auburn).
Currie (20-5) placed 2nd and scored 24.0 team points.
120
Kingston Peterson v. Landon Peterson (Monmouth (M.-Roseville).
Peterson (17-7) placed 2nd and scored 23.5 team points.
126
Hunter Vancil v. Easton Spooner (Fulton (H.S.).
Vancil (17-4) placed 1st and scored 26.0 team points.
132
Chance DeSplinter v. Gavyn Stevens (Knoxville)
DeSplinter (13-7) placed 2nd and scored 24.0 team points.
138
Lain Taylor v. Alrec Robinson (Oneida (ROWVA).
Taylor (21-7) placed 5th and scored 15.0 team points.\
144
Dontel Wommack v. Alejandro Morales (Monmouth (M.-Roseville).
Wommack (15-12) place is unknown and scored 3.5 team points.
157
Brayden Johnson v. Wiley Blasdell (Fulton (H.S.).
Johnson (16-12) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points.
165
Joey McGuire v. Micah Stringini (Polo).
McGuire (17-6) placed 3rd and scored 20.0 team points.
175
Ace LaFollette v. Noah Stout (Morrison).
LaFollette (21-6) placed 2nd and scored 23.5 team points.
190
Douglas Swearingen v. Garrett Connelly (Peru (St. Bede).
Swearingen (18-10) placed 4th and scored 16.0 team points.
215
Alejandro Duarte v. Jonathan Weakley (Sherrard).
Duarte (23-2) placed 1st and scored 30.0 team points.
285
Leocadio Gandarilla v. Angil Serrano (Mendota).
Gandarilla (14-3) placed 1st and scored 28.0 team points.
