Macomb High wrestler Jeshua McPheeters qualified for next week’s Illinois High School Association Class 1A State Wrestling Finals after finishing second in the 175pound class of Saturday’s IHSA Class 1A Sectional at Olympia High School.
“Jeshua wrestled like a man on a mission,”said MHS coach Luke Ladd. “He had a goal in mind and went out there to get it.”
Seeded 10th of the 12 wrestlers in the draw, McPheeters opened competition by pinning Ethan Lowe of Gibson City-Melvin- Sibley in three minutes and four seconds.
In the quarterfinals, McPheeters recorded a 14-3 major decision over IVC’s Owen Moser.
The semifinal then saw McPheeters defeat Tolono Unity’s Josh Heath by an 8-6 decision.
In the title match, McPheeters lost to Beardstown’s Gunner Looker by technical fall, 16-0 at the 4:24 mark.
“Jeshua wrestled three kids ahead of him in the rankings and everyone, including me, was wondering why he didn’t take the easier path at 190 pounds,” said Ladd. “He could’ve been a regional champion at 190.”
“It turns out he was right and is now one the best in the state at 175 pounds,” he added. “Confidence is something he never lacks and he told me a regional championship means nothing to him if it stops there.”
“He knew he was in the right spot at 175 and he knew the path was going to be hard,” Ladd continued. “He isn’t afraid of hard work, and he put it in and came out a state qualifier.”
Ethan Hoyt also represented Macomb High in sectional competition.
Wrestling in the 120pound division, Hoyt posted a record of 2-2.
He won his first match, pinning Kaden Huster from Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley in 1:03.
In the quarterfinals, Hoyt was pinned by PORTA’s Kainin Fillbright in 2:37.
Fillbright went on to finish second.
Moving into conolation competition, Hoyt won his next match, pinning Deer Creek-Mackinaw’s Evan King in 4:19.
Liam Major of Illini Bluffs ended Hoyt’s tournament run, posting a 9-5 decision.
“Hoyt wrestled very well, he just came up a little bit short,” said Ladd. “But he definitely left it all on the mat.”
“It’s always bittersweet when the season ends and a career ends for seniors,” he added. “But I know Ethan is on to bigger and better things and the lessons and things he learned in wrestling will help in everything he does.”
McPheeters and Hoyt qualified for sectional competition after finishing second in their respective weight classes in Class 1A Regional competition on Jan. 31 at Camp Point Central.
“I can’t say enough about Hoyt and McPheeters,” said Ladd. “They have both carried the team this year and have been great leaders. They work hard and do what is asked of them.”
First, second, third and fourth place winners from each weight class advance from Sectional to State Final competition.
The State Finals are scheduled for Feb. 19-21 at State Farm Center on the University of Illinois campus in Champaign.
Sixteen (16) wrestlers in each weight class will compete for championship honors in three divisions.
