CHAMPAIGN — A total of 13 wrestlers from the region have earned the opportunity to compete on the final day of the season at the State Tournament.

Wrestlebacks were the name of the game for the morning and afternoon sessions of day 2. Wrestlers that lost their opening round matches needed to win twice Friday to advance. Those that went 1-1 on day had to win their only match of the day to move on. Those advancing to Saturday would need one more win to guarantee a top six finish.

In 1A, Murphysboro’s Kaiden Richards (106) and Carmi-White County’s Titus Wood (285) both won a pair of matches Friday to advance to the wrestleback quarterfinals Saturday morning. Meanwhile, East Alton/Wood River’s Jason Shaw (126), Herrin’s Blue Bishop (132), and Murphysboro teammates Arojae Hart (138) and Dayton Hoffman (160) all won their single matches to advance to Saturday’s competition.

In 2A, Marion’s Nate Dampier and Carbondale’s Brenden Banz both advanced to Saturday’s wrestleback quarterfinals, where they will face each other. Mt. Vernon’s Jared Shafer (182) won his match to advance.

Four wrestlers went 2-0 on the opening day to advance to the semifinals, which are scheduled to get underway at 7:00 in the evening session. Anna-Jonesboro’s Drew Sadler (106), Harrisburg’s Tony Keene (113), Benton’s Mason Tieffel (126), and Richland County’s Carson Bissey (126) will compete for a spot in the finals. The losers in the semifinals are dropped back into Saturday’s wrestleback semifinals and can finish no worse than sixth.
(story will be updated with semifinal results)