CHAMPAIGN — Six of the 13 wrestlers from the region won their opening round matches at the State Tournament being held at the State Farm Center in Champaign.

Mt. Carmel’s Dayton Hall (132) and Nate Critchfield (170), along with West Frankfort’s Connor Eaton (170) and Benton’s Gabe Craig (285) all won their first match in 1A, with Eaton and Craig both winning by falls. Carbondale’s Aron Taylor (152) and Luke Daly (170) won their openers in 2A.

Those six will come back at 6:45 tonight for their quarterfinal matches.

Goreville’s Memphis Lapatas (106), Mt. Carmel’s Cade Keepes (113), Pinckneyville’s Ryder Parson (120), Anna-Jonesboro’s Blake Mays (126), and Harrisburg’s Tucker Bryant will start their wrestlebacks in 1A tomorrow. Marion’s Gaige Owens (126) and River Flute (182) will do the same in 2A.