Decker goes undefeated at Downers Grove South Dual-Team Invitational
By Fred Kroner
Talon Decker went undefeated and Mahomet-Seymour wrestling teammates A.J. Demos and Noah Daniels won four of five matches on Saturday (Dec. 9), helping the Bulldogs to a sixth-place finish in the Downers Grove South Dual-Team Invitational.
At 138 pounds, Decker registered pins in three of his five bouts. His quickest fall was in 1:23.
At 175 pounds, Demos produced one pin among his four wins. It came at 1:41.
At 285 pounds, Daniels had two pins, including one in 26 seconds, which was the fastest for the day by an M-S grappler.
Joining Decker with three pins for the day was Justus Vrona (126 pounds). His quickest fall was in 1:24.
Other Bulldogs who won more than half of their matches in the day-long tournament were Gideon Hayter (106 and 113 pounds), DeAndre Hughey (150 pounds), Noah Frank (215 pounds).
Hayter was 3-1. Hughey was 2-0 and Frank was 3-2, with a pin in 2:54.
Winning half of their matches for the day were Kaleb Collins (150 pounds) and Gage Decker (157 pounds).
Collins was 1-1 with a pin in 3:01. Gage Decker was 2-2 with a 58-second fall.
Two other M-S competitors registered pins at the invitational.
Colton McClure (120 pounds) had one in 2:24 and Brock VanDeveer (190 pounds) had one in 2:56.
McClure, Lukas Alstetter (106 and 113 pounds) and Cale Hillard (165 pounds) all won twice at Downers Grove. Recording one win, besides Collins, was Adam Dobrucki (132 pounds).
The Bulldogs decisioned Gurnee Warren, 51-25, Belleville West, 37-30, and Downers Grove North, 43-26, along with taking losses against Lincoln Way East, 45-24, and Coal City, 51-24.
Overall, 17 Bulldogs took the mat for at least one match. The cumulative M-S record for the day was 35-34 with 14 pins.
In the Dec. 2 state rankings compiled by the Illinois Matmen, the Bulldogs were positioned at No. 7 in Class 2A.
Three M-S individuals received honorable mention recognition: Donovan Lewis (150 pounds), Gage Decker (157 pounds) and Tallen Pawlak (175 pounds).
The Bulldogs (6-4) return to action on Wednesday (Dec. 13) in a dual meet at Clinton.
