By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com
For just the sixth time in the 21 years that Mahomet-Seymour’s wrestling team has competed in the Class 2A division, the Bulldogs will leave the individual state finals on Saturday with multiple All-State performers.
Seniors David Griffet (285 pounds) and Ben Stahl (220 pounds) earned that status with Friday’s quarterfinal wins at the UI’s State Farm Center.
The other years that M-S has produced more than one All-Stater during its run with the large schools were 1998 (two), 1999 (two), 2001 (three), 2003 (two) and 2009 (two).
Griffet became the seventh Bulldog to advance into a championship match since M-S left the Class 1A category and the second in as many years. Hunter Crowley was a 2017 finalist.
In that 21-year span, two M-S athletes emerged as state champions: Andrew Brewer (2009) and Ryan Berger (1998).
Griffet (45-6) was extended to the full six minutes in each of his state bouts. To qualify for the Grand March and a chance at the Class 2A 285-pound state title, the M-S senior topped Geneseo’s Bill Blaser, 3-1, in the semifinals.
Earlier Friday, he secured his All-State status with a 6-3 quarterfinal conquest of Rich South’s Kalen Sconiers. In the opening round, Griffet blanked Peoria Central’s Marques Cox’s 4-0.
In Saturday’s championship match, Griffet will take on Washington’s Jace Punke, who has also posted three wins by decision at state.
Stahl (42-10) had reached the semifinals at 220 pounds by virtue of consecutive one-point wins over other seniors. He edged Darael Dugar, from Thornridge, 3-2, in the opening round and followed with a 2-1 triumph over Sycamore’s Matthew Hunter in the quarterfinals.
In the semifinals, he met up with defending state champion Luke Luffman, a junior from Urbana.
Luffman, who has pinned his way to the finals, registered a fall over Stahl in 3 minutes, 4 seconds.
Stahl faces two matches on Saturday and could place as high as third, but is guaranteed a top-six placement.
M-S’ third state competitor, 138-pound David Spencer, was unable to earn a wrestleback match and was eliminated after Friday’s first-round loss.
Boys’ basketball
The short-handed Bulldogs dropped a 50-48 decision on the road on Friday to a Charleston opponent they had beaten by 27 points earlier in the season.
Noah Benedict provided the majority of the offense for M-S (18-10), dropping in 26 points. Grant Coleman scored nine points. Holt Campion and Brooks Coetzee each added five points.
M-S trailed 42-30 entering the fourth period, but drew close thanks to an 18-8 run during the final eight minutes
M-S played without season scoring leader Cory Noe.
Charleston’s season record is 9-14.
The Bulldogs close out the regular season next Friday with a home game against Mattoon.
