SJO grapplers delivered a commanding performance on Jan. 17, overwhelming the Prairie Central Hawks 54-12 at the two-day Illini Prairie Conference wrestling meet at Illinois Valley Central High School. The Spartans also claimed victories over Pontiac (48-35) and St. Thomas More (66-12).
Despite a few competitive bouts, including a 10-7 overtime decision at 138 pounds in favor of Prairie Central’s John Traub over Aiden Hundley, the Spartans’ depth and ability to secure bonus points proved decisive. Other key contributors included Eli Birt (126 pounds), who earned a 4-1 decision, and Devan Swisher (175 pounds), who posted a 10-3 decision.
Ben Wells (106 pounds) won the dual opener for the Spartans by pinning Prairie Central’s Andrew Patino in 1:37. Jackson Walsh (113 pounds) followed with another first-period pin, defeating Julius Smith in 1:33. Camden Getty (120 pounds) kept the momentum going, recording a fall over Prestin Gero in 2:08.
Landen Butts (144 pounds) added to the Spartans’ strong showing with a pin over Daemian Spisak in 4:20, while heavyweight Cam Wagner capped the dual with a forfeit victory. Wagner, a sophomore enjoying a standout debut season, is also a top-rated football player with Division I scholarship offers.
Day one conference meet standouts
Several Spartans delivered standout performances across all three matches on day one. Walsh (113 pounds) was a force on the mat, securing two first-period pins, including a 1:49 fall against Pontiac’s Sophia Mussari. Getty (120 pounds) also recorded two pins, showcasing the improvement he has made through the hard work he put in during the off-season.
Wagner (285 pounds) continued to impress with two falls, including a decisive 1:35 pin over Pontiac’s Hunter McCullough. Butts (144 pounds) added two pins to his tally, further highlighting the Spartans’ dominance in the middleweight classes.
Box Score
106 - WELLS, BEN (SJO) over Patino, Andrew (PC), Fall 1:37;
113 - WALSH, JACKSON (SJO) over Smith, Julius (PC), Fall 1:33;
120 - GETTY, CAMDEN (SJO) over Gero, Prestin (PC), Fall 2:08;
126 - BIRT, ELI (SJO) over Clemons, Drake (PC), Decision 4-1;
132 - Forfeit, (PC) over Forfeit, (SJO), Double Forfeit;
138 - Traub, John (PC) over HUNDLEY, AIDEN (SJO), Decision 10-7 (OT);
144 - BUTTS, LANDEN (SJO) over Spisak, Daemian (PC), Fall 4:20;
150 - WARE, THOMAS (SJO) over Forfeit, (PC), FORFEIT;
157 - Ziller, Ethan (PC) over MOORE, JONATHON (SJO), Decision 9-6;
165 - Martin, Jaxson (PC) over VAUGHN, ALEX (SJO), Fall 1:02;
175 - SWISHER, DEVAN (SJO) over Mowery, Elijah (PC), Decision 10-3;
190 - Carter, Liam (SJO) over Forfeit, (PC), FORFEIT;
215 - PHILLIPS, NATHAN (SJO) over Forfeit, (PC), FORFEIT;
285 - WAGNER, CAM (SJO) over Forfeit, (PC), FORFEIT.
Related articles:
- Spartans dominate on the mats at IPC conference wrestling meet
- Photo Gallery | Lightweights lift SJO in home win over Clinton
- St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling falls to BHRA in 48-30 decision
- St. Joseph-Ogden secures hard-fought victory over Pontiac at IPC meet
