Jersey Sends Two Back to State in Wrestling
Maddox Williams and Nicholas Hartley both qualified for state again, determined to reach the podium after last year's experience and early exits.
Jerseyville – For Jersey Panthers wrestlers Maddox Williams and Nicholas Hartley, the state finals won’t be new territory. Both qualified last season, but this year their goals are higher.
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Williams and Hartley did not place at state last year, each finishing 1–2. This season, both say their main objective is to earn a spot on the podium.
“It feels great to go to state this year,” Hartley said. “It feels nice knowing I belong there this year. Last year, I got fourth place at sectionals, and when I got to state I told myself I didn’t belong. So it feels good to have a confidence boost going into it. I went 31–4 in the regular season.”
Both wrestlers placed third at the Granite City Sectional on Saturday to punch their tickets to state. Williams earned a 14–3 major decision over Braxton McCall of Mascoutah, while Hartley won by technical fall over Trae Griffiths of Champaign Central in 2:20 (19–4).
“It means a lot to go back to state this year,” Williams said. “Last year I went 1–2, and hopefully I can get a better record and place this year.”
Jersey freshman Bo Allison and senior Hunter Hodge came up short of advancing to the state finals.
“It’s a good thing for our program, and it’s great for these two wrestlers,” Jersey head coach Frank Speidel said. “They put a lot of work in. Hodge had some personal setbacks this year, and to make it this far was huge for him.”
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