McClure, Demos and Daniels qualify for IWCOA Freshmen-Sophomore state wrestling tournament

By Fred Kroner

Three Mahomet-Seymour underclassmen have qualified for the IWCOA Freshmen-Sophomore state wrestling tournament, which will be held on Saturday (March 11) and Sunday (March 12) at the BOS Center, in Springfield.

The trio secured their advancement by placing among the top three in their respective weight classes at the Heyworth Sectional on Sunday (March 5).

The M-S state-qualifiers are freshman Colton McClure (106 pounds), sophomore A.J. Demos (145 pounds) and freshman Noah Daniels (220 pounds).

They will be competing in weight classes with 32 entrants at the freshmen-sophomore state meet, which encompasses athletes from all enrollment sizes, unlike in the IHSA series, when there are three divisions based on enrollment.

Demos was 3-0 at sectional and won his weight class. He had one pin. McClure was 2-1 at sectional with two pins. He placed second. Daniels was 4-1 with three pins at sectional. He finished in third place.

Four teammates were one win away from advancing to state.

They were freshman Auggie Gaudio (101 pounds), freshman Justus Vrona (113 pounds), freshman Noah Frank (182 pounds) and sophomore Brayden Lamb (195 pounds).

Gaudio was 2-2 at sectionals with two pins. Vrona was 3-2 with two pins. Frank was 2-2 with two pins. Lamb was 3-2 with two pins.

M-S had 13 wrestlers participating in the meet.

Other squad members who won at least one match at the IWCOA sectional were Hayden Hart (182 pounds) and Phillip Daniels (195 pounds). Daniels’ win was by pin.

Overall at the sectional, Bulldog wrestlers had a cumulative 21-22 record, with 15 of the wins by pin.