Green, Walton, Thies Lead Area Charge at State In Class 1A
Thies showcased superior skill with a pin and technical fall en route to the semifinals in the 175-pound category at state finals.
CHAMPAIGN – After the opening day of the IHSA 1A State Wrestling Finals, several area wrestlers remain in contention for a state championship, with strong performances across multiple weight classes.
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At 132 pounds, Dawson Hawthorne of Belleville Althoff Catholic High School went 1-1 on the day. Hawthorne opened with a hard-fought 5-4 decision over Jacob Hardesty of Canton. In his second match, he fell 12-6 by decision to Jeremiah Lawrence of Chicago Hope Academy and will continue in the wrestlebacks.
Roxana’s Brandon Green Jr. stayed unbeaten at 144 pounds, going 2-0 to advance to the semifinals. Green earned an 18-3 technical fall over Caiden Heath of Amboy, then followed with a 13-1 major decision over Zach Bryant of Petersburg PORTA in the quarterfinals.
At 157 pounds, Landon Weidler of Belleville Althoff Catholic also advanced with two wins. Weidler edged Bradi Lahr of Quincy Notre Dame by decision in his opener, then secured a 14-11 win over Dylan Galvez of Chicago Hope Academy in the quarterfinals.
Pierre Walton, another Belleville Althoff standout, dominated at 165 pounds. Walton recorded a technical fall over Jonner Smith of Savanna West Carroll before earning another tech fall, 17-2, against Abram Davidson of Tolono Unity to punch his ticket to the semifinals.
Roxana’s Lyndon Thies matched that 2-0 mark at 175 pounds. Thies pinned Josh Heath of Tolono Unity in his opening bout, then posted a technical fall over Joshua Kotalik of Sandwich in the quarterfinals.
Michael Soto of East Alton-Wood River High School (EAWR) had one of the quickest wins of the day, pinning Joey Humphries of Deer Creek Mackinaw in just 16 seconds. In his second match, Soto faced last year’s state runner-up, Jeremiah Luke of Lena-Winslow, and was pinned. He will compete in the wrestlebacks.
Belleville Althoff’s Jacobi Cobb, Nathan Fisher, and Roxana’s Logan Riggs each went 0-1 on the day and will wrestle back Friday, looking to stay alive in the tournament.
With multiple semifinalists and several others battling through wrestlebacks, the area remains well represented heading into the second day in Champaign.
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