Unity's Eastin wins state wrestling title

Unity's Hunter Eastin is declared winner after his 5-2 win over St. Thomas More's Brody Cuppernell. See more championship match photos below.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGN - Unity's 190-pounder Hunter Eastin finished the season with 47-6 record and the Class 1A state title last Saturday. He was one of three medalists from Unity's six state finalists.

The junior went 4-0 at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals, beating Frankfort's Conner Henson (39-12) in the first round with first period pin and pinned Lena-Winslow-Stockton's Jeremiah Luke in third period. Down 1-2 at the end of the first period in his next match against Kaden Tidwell, Eastin rallied back to secured a spot in the Saturday finals with his win over the Vandalian with a 37-11 record via an 8-3 decision.

In championship match against St. Thomas More's Brody Cuppernell (35-4), Eastin trailed in the third period 1-0. On the command to start the final period, Eastin tied up the score with an escape. A minute later, he scored on a takedown and a near-fall three second later, going up 5-1. With two seconds left on the clock, Cuppernell was awarded one point for another escape, ending the match at 5-2.