Mahomet Family Dentistry Athlete of the Week: Mahomet-Seymour Wrestling

Mahomet-Seymour boys’ wrestling

The Mahomet-Seymour High School wrestling team has once again proven their mettle on the mat, qualifying for the Elite Eight in the Class 2A team-dual series for the fourth time in the last five years. The Bulldogs showcased their dominance by defeating Lincoln with a commanding 50-18 victory in the sectional finals held at Taylorville on Tuesday, February 20th.

The Bulldogs won 10 of the 14 matches against their opponents, with a notable 6-2 advantage in pins. The pivotal moment came at 126 pounds when Justus Vrona secured a 6-1 decision, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to an insurmountable 41-12, with only four matches remaining. 

The competition kicked off at 157 pounds, following a blind draw, where Gage Decker, an individual state-qualifier, set the tone for the evening with a swift pin in 3:36, propelling M-S into an early lead—a lead they maintained throughout the meet, despite one tie. The Bulldogs’ aggression and technique were on full display as other team members, including Gideon Hayer, Lukas Alstetter, Colton McClure, DeAngelo Hughey, and Cale Hillard, secured victories through pins, contributing to the team’s overwhelming performance. Hillard’s win was particularly noteworthy as it admitted him into the exclusive 20-win club for the season.

Not to be outdone, Bulldogs like Talon Decker, Brock VanDeveer, and Noah Daniels also triumphed in their matches, showcasing the team’s versatility and strength across different weight categories.

Under the guidance of Coach Rob Ledin, the Bulldogs, who were ranked eighth in the final Class 2A state poll, have not only demonstrated their prowess but also their determination to excel. With a season record of 17-4, the team is set to face Chicago Brother Rice in the state quarterfinals on Friday, February 23rd, at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. A win here would not only guarantee them a top-four finish at the state level but also provide them with two additional matches on Saturday, February 24th.

Mahomet-Seymour girls’ wrestling

The Mahomet-Seymour High School wrestling team has once again proven their mettle on the mat, qualifying for the Elite Eight in the Class 2A team-dual series for the fourth time in the last five years. The Bulldogs showcased their dominance by defeating Lincoln with a commanding 50-18 victory in the sectional finals held at Taylorville on Tuesday, February 20th.

The Bulldogs won 10 of the 14 matches against their opponents, with a notable 6-2 advantage in pins. The pivotal moment came at 126 pounds when Justus Vrona secured a 6-1 decision, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to an insurmountable 41-12, with only four matches remaining. 

The competition kicked off at 157 pounds, following a blind draw, where Gage Decker, an individual state-qualifier, set the tone for the evening with a swift pin in 3:36, propelling M-S into an early lead—a lead they maintained throughout the meet, despite one tie. The Bulldogs’ aggression and technique were on full display as other team members, including Gideon Hayer, Lukas Alstetter, Colton McClure, DeAngelo Hughey, and Cale Hillard, secured victories through pins, contributing to the team’s overwhelming performance. Hillard’s win was particularly noteworthy as it admitted him into the exclusive 20-win club for the season.

Not to be outdone, Bulldogs like Talon Decker, Brock VanDeveer, and Noah Daniels also triumphed in their matches, showcasing the team’s versatility and strength across different weight categories.

Under the guidance of Coach Rob Ledin, the Bulldogs, who were ranked eighth in the final Class 2A state poll, have not only demonstrated their prowess but also their determination to excel. With a season record of 17-4, the team is set to face Chicago Brother Rice in the state quarterfinals on Friday, February 23rd, at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. A win here would not only guarantee them a top-four finish at the state level but also provide them with two additional matches on Saturday, February 24th.

Mahomet-Seymour High School’s girls’ wrestlers are making school history as Sophomore Kalista Granadino, senior Isabelle Leyhe, and freshman Jaycee Fancher take to the mats at the state wrestling tournament in Bloomington today. The girls who triumphed at the Peoria Richwoods girls’ wrestling sectional on February 10 are now poised to compete against the state’s best. 

Kalista Granadino, competing in the 115-pound category, has already proven her mettle by winning four out of six matches to claim fourth place at the sectional. Her performance was highlighted by three pins — including a swift victory in just 1 minute and 38 seconds. Granadino has a season record of 23-10.

Isabelle Leyhe’s journey to the finals was marked by her ability to decisively pin her opponents in less than 90 seconds during her initial matches. Finishing second at the sectional, Leyhe’s impressive 20-3 record this season speaks volumes about her strength and strategic acumen on the wrestling mat.

Freshman Jaycee Fancher has made an indelible mark in the 125-pound weight class, capturing fourth place at the sectional with a 2-2 record, including two first-period pins. Fancher has a 20-8 season record.