SECTION618.COM — It was a tough weekend at sectionals for the region’s wrestlers trying to earn trips to state. A total of 12 1A and 2A wrestlers from the region will be headed to Champaign next week.

At the Vandalia 1A Sectional, Mt. Carmel’s Nate Critchield brought home the only individual sectional championship, beating West Frankfort’s Connor Eaton in the 170 finals.

Here is the list of 1A state qualifiers:
113 Cade Keepes, Mt. Carmel (2nd)
120 Ryder Parson, Pinckneyville (3rd)
126 Blake Mays, Anna-Jonesboro (4th)
132 Dayton Hall, Mt. Carmel (2nd)
170 Nate Critchfield, Mt. Carmel (1st)
Connor Eaton, West Frankfort (2nd)
220 Tucker Bryant, Harrisburg (2nd)
285 Gabe Craig, Benton (2nd)

Two Marion and two Carbondale wrestlers advanced from the Mascoutah 2A Sectional.
Here is the list of 2A state qualifiers:
126 Gaige Owens, Marion (2nd)
152 Aron Taylor, Carbondale (2nd)
170 Luke Daly, Carbondale (2nd)
182 River Flute, Marion (2nd)

The State Tournament will run Thursday-Saturday at the State Farm Center in Champaign.