***William Ly is a participant of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust.

The Kewanee wrestling team opened up the new year with three convincing wins over Mendota, Putnam County and Somonauk.

In the wrestling world, Kewanee has been tearing down teams left and right. They even have a few wins against top-25 teams this season. 

Throughout this season, Coach Charley Eads has shown that his team is a force to be reckoned with. Saturday’s meet showcased Kewanee’s dominance, as wrestlers were able to take swift wins.

In the first dual against Mendota, junior Hunter Vancil was able to pin Mendota’s Adrian Arteaga in just 24 seconds.

After a few forfeits, senior Ben Taylor was able to pin his opponent in 63 seconds. Junior Douglas Swearingen followed with a 44 second pin over his opponent.

In the second duel, Kewanee faced Putnam County. After a few exhibitions and forfeits in favor of Kewanee, the Boilers won the next five matches with pins and falls.

For the final duel of the night against Somonauk, Kewanee was able to get by the first five matches through forfeit. The next five allowed Kewanee wrestlers to get back into action. They took four out of five of the matches to get another convincing victory to end the night.

On Thursday, Jan. 9, Kewanee will travel to Knoxville for their next meet of the season. The Boilers will return to Brockman Gymnasium the following day to host Erie-Prophetstown and Saint Bede at 5:30 p.m.

Kewanee 58 – Mendota 11

106 – Double Forfeit

113 – Kurt Edens (Kewanee) Forfeit

120 – Trenton Edens falls to Gavin Stevenson

126 – Hunter Vancil pins Adrian Arteaga

132 – Landyn Greenhagen win by decision over Komen Denault

138 – Lain Taylor (Kewanee) Forfeit

144 – Dontel Wommack (Kewanee) Forfeit

150 – Ben Taylor pins Cole Kleckner

157 – Brayden Johnson falls to Gavin Evans

165 – Elijah Mitchell (Kewanee) Forfeit

175 – Ace LaFollette (Kewanee) Forfeit

190 – Douglas Swearingen over Arron Torres

215 – Oswaldo Sanchez (Kewanee) Forfeit

285 – Double Forfeit

Kewanee 53 – Putnam County 6

106 – Double Forfeit

113 – Tyson Currie pins Abigail Lindus

120 – Trenton Edens (Kewanee) Forfeit

126 – Hunter Vancil (Kewanee) Forfeit

132 – Landyn Greenhagen (Kewanee) Forfeit

138 – Dontell Wommack pins Keaton Finley

144 – Lain Taylor tech falls Cayden Bouxsein

150 – Double Forfeit

157 – Elijah Mitchell (Kewanee) Forfeit

165 – Brayden Johnson over Shane Scribner

175 – Double Forfeit

190 – Douglas Swearingen over Alex Tucker

215 – Alejandro Duarte over Justyn Doden

285 – Elijah Leota (Putnam County) Forfeit

Exhibition 113 – Kurt Edens falls to Abigail Lindus

Exhibition 215 – Landon Weir over Ella Irwin

Exhibition 285 – Oswaldo Sanchez over Bailey Herr

Kewanee 60 – Somonauk 6

106 – Double Forfeit

113 – Tyson Currie (Kewanee) Forfeit

120 – Trenton Edens (Kewanee) Forfeit

126 – Hunter Vancil (Kewanee) Forfeit

132 – Landyn Greenhagen over Owen Haggerty

138 – Lain Taylor over Daniel Stenzel

144 – Dontel Wommack (Kewanee) Forfeit

150 – Double Forfeit

157 – Elijah Mitchell falls to Tanner Daniels

165 – Brayden Johnson over Preston Campbell

175 – Ace LaFollette (Kewanee) Forfeit

190 – Oswaldo Sanchez (Kewanee) Forfeit

215 – Douglas Swearingen over Liam Orr

285 – Double Forfeit