Maxx Fritz (Archived photo)
For the first time since the formation of the two-class system in 1975, the Mt. Olive Wildcats participated in the 2A sectional tournament in Lincoln. Gillespie’s Maxx Fritz placed second and Jonny Darrah placed third, both advancing the State Wrestling Tournament in Champaign set for February 15-17.
Fritz at 152-pound weight class received a bye as a result of last week’s regional championship, defeated Emmanuel Edwards of Springfield Lanphier by fall, defeated Polycarp Amosun of Urbana by fall, and lost the championship bout to Martell Boone of Cahokia 3-2.
Darrah at 160-pound weight class received a bye as a result of his previous week’s regional championship, won 12-6 over River Flute of Marion, lost to the eventual champion Dalton Hall of Champaign Central 3-2, defeated Noah Foreman of Riverton by a score of 15-10, and won the third place match 9-3 over Zeke Waltz of Jerseyville.
John Aljets will serve as alternate at the 285-pound weight class as a result of his wins in the sectional. Aljets pinned Cody Flavin of Chatham Glenwood, lost 5- to Sutton of Richland County, pinned Gabe Bradbury of Mattoon, pinned Tyson Opel of Lincoln, and lost by fall to Hayden Copass of Westville who lost the third place match by tiebreaker 3-2 and finished fourth.
Justin Osmoe at 182 lost to Gavin Smith of Jacksonville 2-0 and lost to Cayden Collings of Mattoon 7-5.