Two members of the Kewanee High School boys wrestling team advanced to Saturday’s IHSA State Wrestling meet at the State Farm Center in Champaign and one will serve as an alternate.
Senior Jamal Lasenby was the Byron Sectional runner-up at 175 pounds and junior Alejandro Duarte placed third at 215 pounds. Wrestlers placing in the top three in each of the 14 weight classes advance to the state meet.
Sophomore Kingston Peterson will be weighing in as an alternate at 113 pounds after just missing a shot at competing in the third-place match.
Jamal Lasenby (18-5) – Second Place @ 175 lbs
Jamal Lasenby’s story is an inspiring one. The senior quick study had virtually no experience with wrestling until he decided to give it a try during his senior year.
Throughout the beginning of the season, Lasenby’s time in the circle was fairly limited due to his lack of experience.
His record entering the Byron Sectional was 15-4, which is considerably fewer matches compared to others Lasenby faced Saturday. For instance, one of his opponents’ record was 38-9 and another was 41-5.
Lasenby’s lack of experience was, in no way, evident when he took to that mat in Byron against some of the toughest guys in the state.
Jamal cruised through to the 175-pound championship match, unscathed. In the first round, Lasenby beat Xander Gleissner (20-11) of Geneo (Kingston) by pin at 1:19.
In the quarterfinal round, Lasenby made quick work of Nic Astacio (29-16) of Woodstock (Marian). Astacio succumed to Lasenby (by pin) in just one minute and 11 seconds.
Lasenby didn’t crack a sweat until the semis when he faced Lucas Blanton (38-9) of Amboy. It took Lasenby nearly five minutes to dispatch of Blanton (fall at 4:40).
In the first place match, Lasenby took on Eli Larson (41-5) of Lena (Winslow), but lost via pin at the 3:18 mark. A second place finish at sectionals and a trip to the state tournament is quite an accomplishment for a rookie newcomer.
Alejandro Duarte (37-4) – Third Place @ 215 lbs
After just missing a trip to state last season as a sophomore, Duarte navigated a tough path through the consolation bracket to be able to wrestle for another opportunity to make the trek to Champaign.
Duarte received a first round bye, but had to then face a worthy opponent in the quarterfinals, Michael Haas (34-8) of Lena (Winslow). Duarte lost a hard-fought 9-2 decision to Haas, which sent Alejandro into the consolation bracket.
Duarte had a renewed sense of urgency and determination as he entered wrestle back action. Duarte’s first victim was Frankie Solis (9-6) of Marengo. Duarte pinned him in 33 seconds.
In the third place match (and a trip to the state meet on the line), Aiden Fisher’s fate was quickly determined. Fisher, (38-11) of Orion, was pinned by Duarte in just 23 seconds.
Haas, who beat Duarte in the quarterfinals, went on to get second place.
Kingston Peterson (28-8) – Alternate @ 113 lbs
Sophomore Kingston Peterson also had a rough slog through Saturday’s consolation bracket. In his first match of the day, Peterson won a tight 6-5 decision over Damian Palacios (28-15).
In the quarters, Anthony Alanis (36-4) of Woodstock (Marian) pinned Peterson at 2:38, sending Peterson into the consolation bracket.
In his first consolation match (round 2), Peterson quickly took down Buckley Kazmierczak (17-25) of West Chicago (Wheaton Academy) in one minute and 44 seconds.
In his second consolation match (round 3), Kingston fought his way to a 23-17 decision over Colton Bock (22-12) of Rockridge.
In the consolation semifinals (and a chance to advance to the third place match), Nelson Benesh (37-7) of Oregon ended Peterson’s bid for a trip to Champaign with a pin at 4:12.
Peterson will serve as an alternate at the state meet.
Alanis went on to win the title against Tharren Jacobs of Riverdale and Benesh won third place honors and advanced to the state competition.
Joey McGuire (20-19) – DNP @ 165 lbs
Joey McGuire, a junior, lost in first round action against Carson Behn (35-10) of Byron. He lost via pin at 2:50, sending him to the consolation bracket.
McGuire received a bye in the first round of the consolation semis and then faced Dominick Dickens (35-17) of Richmond (Burton) in the second round. Dickens pinned McGuire at the 4:23, putting an end to McGuire’s successful 20-win junior campaign.
Jackson Hawkins (21-18) – DNP @ 190 lbs
Senior Jackson Hawkins entered Saturday’s meet with a first round match against Quentin Berry (24-9) of Oregon. Jackson withstood five minutes before being pinned at 5:27.
Jackson received a bye in the consolation first round and then went up against Dan French (28-21) of Woodstock (Marian) and lost via pin at the 3:29 mark.
Hawkins’ first round opponent, Quentin Berry, went on to finish in second place.
Jackson closes out his high school career with a winning record of 21-18.
