Area wrestlers shine at State

Posted By: dkinnard
February 22, 2023 @ 8:05 am
Anna-Jonesboro, Benton, Carbondale, Fairfield, Harrisburg, Herrin, Slider, Wrestling

Darren Kinnard
Section618.com

CHAMPAIGN — There were plenty of medals and multiple state championships returning to the 618 from Champaign after the boys individual state championships at the State Farm Center.

Carlyle sophomore Tyson Waughtel and Benton junior Mason Tieffel, along with Metro East seniors Santino Robinson from Mascoutah and Abe Wojcikiewicz from Civic Memorial all won state championships.

Carlyle sophomore Tyson Waughtel won his second state wrestling championship, beating Farmington’s Keygan Jennings 12-1 in the final.

Waughtel won a state championship last year as a freshman at 106 in 1A. He dominated this year at 113, outscoring his four opponents 61-3. After Tech Falls the first three rounds, Waughtel had to “settle” for a 12-1 Major Decision in the title victory over Farmington’s Keygan Jennings.

After falling in the 1A 126 final a year ago, Tieffel bumped up two classes this year, and proceeded to take care of business and win the 138 1A state title. Tieffel finished with a school record 52 wins this season, with number 52 being a 6-2 decision over Newman Central Catholic’s Carter Rude in the title match.

After winning the state championship, Benton junior Mason Tieffel (center) poses with the rest of the 1A 138 pound medalists.

Robinson wrapped up a perfect 41-0 season with a 4-2 tiebreaker win over Washington’s Peyton Cox in the 2A 132 class, while Wojcikiewicz dominated Cox’s Washington teammate Blake Hinrichsen 17-5 for a Major Decision.

Several other wrestlers medaled. In 1A, Anna-Jonesboro sophomore Drew Sadler took third at 106–Sadler finished 51-3 for the season. Harrisburg junior Tony Keene finished fourth at 120, wrapping up the season 45-4. Herrin junior Blue Bishop also finished fourth at 145. Bishop was 47-4 on the season. Cahokia’s Nick DeLoach Junior was fifth at 170 to finish 42-10 on the season. Fairfield senior heavyweight Payton Allen also finished fifth. Allen leaves with school records for career wins (145) and single season wins (51).

In 2A, Civic Memorial’s Bradley Ruckman finished fourth at 106. Triad’s Colby Crouch lost in the 126 title match due to the injury. Civic Memorial’s Caleb Scott took fifth at 126. Civic Memorial’s Bryce Griffin took second at 145. Carbondale’s Brendan Banz wrapped up his career on the podium with a sixth place finish at 170. Triad’s Koen Rodebush also finished sixth at 182.

Compete state results are here.