Two members of the Macomb High boys wrestling team qualified for sectional competition, while a third will serve as an alternate following Saturday’s Illinois High School Association Class 1A Regional competition held at Camp Point Central.
“Those are not easy accomplishments at the regional level,” said MHS coach Luke Ladd.
In the 175 pound division, Jeshua McPheeters (35-9) placed second and scored 21.0 team points.
His results were as follows: Opening round - bye. Quarterfinal - McPheeters won by fall over Parker Scott of Monmouth United (16-2) in 48 seconds.
Semifinal - McPheeters won by major decision over Keegan Smith of Monmouth- Roseville (20-9), 13-2.
First Place Match Gunner Looker of Beardstown (38-4) won by fall over McPheeters in 3:05.
In the 120 pound division, Ethan Hoyt (32-6) placed second and scored 17.0 team points.
His results were as follows: Quarterfinal - Hoyt won by fall over Manuel Burgos of Beardstown (12-18) in 0:38.
Semifinal - Hoyt won by major decision over Greyson Steele of Camp Point Central (31-15), 12-2.
First Place Match - Dyllan Steele of Canton (25-0) won by major decision over Hoyt, 8-0.
At 165 pounds, Johnny Powell (15-22) placed fourth and scored 8.0 team points.
His results were as follows: Quarterfinal - Powell won by major decision over Logan Saathoff of Monmouth United (14-14), 21-13.
Semifinal - Daniel Kees of Canton (28-9) won by fall over Powell in 1:47.
Consolation Semifinal - Powell won in sudden victory - 1 over Jordan Leonard of West Hancock (14-20), 15-8.
Third Place Match Abram Zanger of Quincy Notre Dame (23-9) won by fall over Powell in 1:44.
At 138 pounds, Kyler Miller (27-17) scored 4.0 team points.
Championship Round 1 Miller received a bye.
Quarterfinal - Miller won by decision over Aksel Avila of Beardstown (24-21), 7-3.
Semifinal - Landon Peterson of Monmouth-Roseville (34-1) won by fall over Miller in 1:49.
Consolation Semifinal - Gage Williamson of Farmington (20-18) won in sudden victory - 1 over Miller, 12-9.
At 285 pounds, Riley James (12-25) scored 2.0 team points.
Quarterfinal - James won by decision over Diego Lopez of Beardstown (13-12), 3-2.
Semifinal - Connor Williams of Canton (33-1) won by fall over James in 0:32.
Consolation Semifinal - Brayden Hall of West Hancock (1717) won by fall over James in 1:50.
At 106 pounds, Jonathon Bullock (8-28) finished 0-2. Quarterfinal - Rhett Larson of Canton (16-8) won by fall over Bullock in 0:30.
Consolation Round 1 - Bullock received a bye. Consolation Semifinal - Jordan Friday of Camp Point Central (29-12) won by fall over Bullock in 0:34 At 157 pounds, Tremaine Beal-Simpson (1-16) finished 0-2.
Quarterfinal - Bob Kendall of Monmouth United (23-14) won by fall over Beal-Simpson in 0:26.
Consolation Round 1 - Johnathan Peters of Farmington (1820) won by fall over Beal-Simpson in 1:07.
At 190 pounds, Caleb Hunter (13-11) finished 0-2. Quarterfinal - Paxton Jostes of Farmington (10-21) won by fall over Hunter in 4:48.
Consolation Round 1 - Alex Webster of Canton (12-15) won by fall over Hunter in 4:27.
“I’m really proud of this group. We had kids who didn’t necessarily reach the goals that they set for themselves,” said Ladd. “But they showed real growth, grit and character all season. That matters.”
“Wrestling exposes you, and how these kids responded through the adversity, hard practices, and tough losses speaks volumes about who they are and where this program is headed.”
In the final team standings, Macomb finished seventh out of 12 teams with a score of 52 points.
Canton captured the team championship with a score of 234 points.
The top three finishers in each weight class advance to sectional competition at Stanford Olympia on Feb. 13-14. Fourth place finishers will serve as alternates.
More info from this regional can be found at the following link: https://www.flowrestling.org/nextgen/events/14468699/ information
