MSJHS picks wins IESA Class 2A Regional Championship
By Fred Kroner
Mahomet-Seymour’s junior high wrestling team won an IESA Class 2A regional championship on Saturday (Feb. 26) in their own gymnasium.
M-S totaled 354 points to outdistance runner-up Chatham Glenwood (274 ½ points) and third-place Mattoon (166 ½ points).
Schools were allowed to enter two competitors in each weight class with the top three placers advancing to the Jacksonville Sectional on Saturday (March 5).
M-S produced 20 total qualifiers, covering 15 different weight classes.
In five weight classes, two Bulldogs qualified, highlighted by the 85- and 105-pound weight divisions where both M-S participants reached the championship match.
At 85 pounds, eighth-grader Auggie Gaudio topped sixth-grader Niko Truax in the finals.
At 105 pounds, seventh-grader Beau Back defeated eighth-grader Preston Sriver in the title bout.
M-S had eight regional titlists. The others besides Gaudio and Back were seventh-grader Gideon Hayter (75 pounds), eighth-grader Justus Vrona (95 pounds), seventh-grader Talon Decker (112 pounds), sixth-grader Marco Casillas (135 pounds), eighth-grader Jackson Davis (145 pounds) and eighth-grader Noah Daniels (215 pounds).
Ten of the 12 qualifiers at 135 pounds for the Jacksonville Sectional are eighth-graders. Casillas is the only sixth-grader and there is one seventh-grader.
Seven Bulldogs advanced to the regional finals before suffering a loss. Placing second besides Truax and Sriver were seventh-grader Liam Noonan (90 pounds), eighth-grader Colton McClure (100 pounds), eighth-grader Peyton Mitchem (126 pounds), eighth-grader Noah Frank (145 pounds) and eighth-grader Grant Arbuckle (167 pounds).
Securing the final sectional berth in their weight classes by ending in third place at the regional were five Bulldogs.
They were seventh-grader Tate Kimball (95 pounds), seventh-grader Garrett Waisath (100 pounds), eighth-grader Connor Bennett (112 pounds), seventh-grader Corey Bell (119 pounds) and eighth-grader Phillip Daniels (185 pounds).
Four other squad members were near misses for advancement, by placing fourth.
They were Caleb Scott (90 pounds), Hughey Allen (135 pounds), Josh Craig (145 pounds) and Camden Ashby (155 pounds).
