Coal City advances thirteen wrestlers to IHSA State Individual Wrestling Finals

Coalers advance 13 wrestlers to individual state finals

"Always want more," is one of the many sayings that come from Coal City High School wrestling coach Mark Masters. It's a passage that will undoubtedly be on the minds of the Coaler wrestlers taking the mat at the Illinois High School Association [IHSA] State Individual Wrestling Finals this week.

Seven of the 13 Coalers who advanced enter the finals as sectional champions, and all of them have racked up more than 20 wins this season. Two of the qualifiers have more than 100 varsity career wins and their coach recently hit a milestone with 500 dual team victories. As athletic director Brad Boresi said, Coal City is known for its wrestling.

State finals wrestling gets underway on Thursday--Feb. 20--at the State Farm Center on campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The class 1A preliminaries are set to start at noon.

Taking the mat for the Coalers are Jason Piatak, Owen Petersen, Culan Lindemuth, Cooper Morris, Luke Munsterman, Brody Widlowski, Aidan Kenney, Noah Houston, Mason Garner, Brock Finch, Landin Benson, Cade Poyner and John Keigher.

Jason Piatak is wrestling at 106. He finished fourth at the sectional and enters the state tournament with a 33-17 record. His first match is against C. Wright of Morrison.

Owen Petersen was the sectional champion at 113. He enters the state tournament with a40-2 record and will face J.Perez of Oregon in tbe prelims.

Culan Lindemuth was tbe sectional runner-upat120.His current season recordis33-11.He will take on A.Swansonof Princeton in tbe first match.

Cooper Morris wastbe126sectional cbampion.He enters tbestate finals witba37-5record.Hisfirst round opponentisD.Steeleof Canton.

Luke Munsterman finished third attbesectionalat132.His currentrecordis37-12.He will take on H.Shikeof Unity intbeprelims.

Brody Widlowski istbesectional cbampionat138.Heiscurrently undefeatedfor tbe season witb24wins.He willtake on H.Brandonof Gibson City-Melvin SibleyinThursday''s opening round.

Aidan Kenneyistbesectional cbampionat144.Heenterstbestate finals witba36-10record.He willtake on A.Carrierof Canton intbepreliminary match.Noab Houston finished tbird attbesectionaltournament .He currently boldsa29 -13record .His preliminary opponentisK.Brentof Leroy .Mason Garner took first place attbesectionalat157 .His currentrecordis32 -6 .He willtakeonK.Gradenof Olympiain tbeopeningmatch .Brock Finchwastbesectional runner upat165 .Heenterstbetournamentwitba29 -8recordandbasover100varsitywinsinbisbigbschoolcareer .HewilltakeonD.Kellyof Newmanintbp relims.DefendingstatecbampionLandinBensonwastbesectionalcbampionat175enteringtbisy earss tatefinalswitba38 -2recordandover100varsitycareerwinsduringhistimeasaCoalerhisfirstmatchThursdaygainstTKeoughanFairfieldCadePoynerfinishedthirdplaceSectional190seasonrecorddate337facesBSalmonMerceropeningroundJohnKeigherSectionalChampion215yearsentersfinals3811meetTStagsLitchfieldopeningmatchDoorsStateFarmCenteropentopublic11amThursdaywrestlingunderwaynoonwinnersbracketquarterfinalsset630pmWrestlingresumeFridaydoorsopentopublic730amFirstroundwrestlebacksclass1Abeginaround11amsecondroundapproximately130DoorsreopenFridayevening6pmsemifinalroundgettingunderway7pmScheduleSaturdaydoorsopentopublic8amquarterfinalwrestlebacksstarting9amSemifinalwrestlebacksset11am36thplacematchesbegin1pmDoorsreopen430finalsGrandMarch530pmwrestlingbeginning6pmstarting175poundweightclassStatefinaltickets12persessionparkingcenter15BothcanpurchaseadvancehttpsfightingillinievenuenetlistHSWRIfnotmakeChampaignwantcatchactionmatstournamentstreamedNFHSNetworkCoalersbackactionTuesdayFeb25dualteamSectionalasTeamalwayswantsmoreMasterswrestlerslookingsecurespotdualteamfinalssetFeb28March1BloomingtonCoalCityhostingSectionalwrestlingbegins6pm