Benton’s Tieffel, Carlyle’s Waughtel earn shots at state titles

Darren Kinnard
Section618.com

CHAMPAIGN — Several wrestlers from the region enter the final day of the State Wrestling Tournament in Champaign still with hopes of medaling while Carlyle sophomore Tyson Waughtel and Benton junior Mason Tieffel will wrestle for 1A individual state championships.

Four Metro East wrestlers also advanced to the 2A finals. Triad’s Colby Crouch (126), Mascoutah’s Santino Robinson (132), and Civic Memorial teammates Bryce Griffin (145) and Abe Wojcikiewicz (170) will wrestle for 2A individual state titles.

Waughtel, who won the 1A 106 pound state title last year, has dominated the 113 pound weight class the first two days in Champaign this year, winning each of his three matches by technical falls–16-0, 16-1, and 17-1. Waughtel will face Farmington’s Keygan Jennings for the 113 title Saturday night.

Tieffel will be making his second straight state final appearance. After dropping the 126 pound title match last year, Tieffel has bumped up two classes this year and will wrestle Newman Central Catholic’s Carter Rude in the 138 pound finals. After defeating defending champ Brock Smith in the quarterfinals, Tieffel pinned Vandalia’s Owen Miller in the semis.

Anna-Jonesboro’s Drew Sadler (106), Harrisburg’s Tony Keene (120), Herrin’s Blue Bishop (145), and Cahokia teammates Nick DeLoach Junior (170) and Jason Dowell (285) all lost their semifinal matches Friday. All are guaranteed top 6 finishes, and can finish as high as third.

Roxana’s Brandon Green Junior (126) and Braden Johnson (152), along with East Alton/Wood River’s Drake Champlin (220), Robinson’s Craig Markello (220), and Fairfield’s Payton Allen (285) all advanced to the wrestleback quarterfinals, which will starting at 9:00 Saturday morning. These wrestlers still need one more win to reach the medal round and can finish as high as third as well.

Carbondale’s Brendan Banz (170) and Aiden Taylor (195) are in the 2A wrestleback quarterfinals. Joining the Terrier duo will be Civic Memorial’s Bradley Ruckman (106) and Caleb Scott (120), Triad’s Aaron Postma (152) and Koen Rodebush (182), as well as Jerseyville’s Jayden Busch (285).

The action starts at 9:00 at the State Farm Center with the wrestleback quarter finals. The wrestleback semifinals will start around 11:00 with the 3rd/4th and 5th/6th matches set to begin at 1:00. The Grand March will get underway at 5:30 with the championship matches slated to start at 6:00.

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