CHAMPAIGN — Seven wrestlers from the region advanced to the final day of the State Tournament in Champaign, each with a chance to finish as high as third in their weight class.

By losing in the semifinals, Mt. Carmel’s Nate Critchfield (1A 170) and Carbondale’s Luke Daly (2A 170) were guaranteed to place in the top six. Critchfield won both of his matches to finish third. Daly dropped his first but won his second to finish fifth.

The other five wrestlers still alive had to win their wrestleback semifinal to assure themselves of medaling. Daly’s Carbondale teammate Aron Taylor (2A 152) won his first match, lost his second, but came back to win the fifth place match.

Marion’s Gaige Owens (2A 126) won his first match but dropped his last two to finish sixth. He is the first Wildcat wrestler to medal at state since 2013.

Mt. Carmel’s Dayton Hall (1A 132) also won his first match and lost his last two to finish sixth.

West Frankfort’s Connor Eaton (1A 170) and Benton’s Gabe Craig (2A 285) both dropped their wrestleback semifinal and did not medal.