The Sentinel

Aidan Kenney's strong performance at IHSA state finals earns a fourth-place finish

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Coal City's Aidan Kenney lunges in for a takedown on Roxana's Logan Riggs during their consolation semifinal on Saturday at the IHSA's state wrestling meet.

CHAMPAIGN - In a thrilling display of grit and determination, Aidan Kenney of Coal City High School capped off his junior season with a fourth-place finish at the Boys' Individual Wrestling State Finals. Held at the iconic State Farm Center on the University of Illinois campus, Kenney, boasting a stellar 39-12 record, navigated through a competitive field to secure his spot on the podium.

Kenney's journey began with a dominant major decision victory over Alex Carrier of Canton, showcasing his technical skill. The Coal City standout continued his winning streak in a tense quarterfinal match against Arrison Bauer from Lena-Winslow, clinching victory via first-period sudden victory after a hard-fought battle that ended 9-6 in his favor.

Facing tough competition in the semifinals against Unity's Kaden Inman, Kenney battled fiercely but fell short, conceding a 7-2 decision. Undeterred, he rebounded in the consolation semifinals, securing a hard-earned 16-13 decision over Logan Riggs of Roxana, setting up a rematch scenario in the third-place match against Bauer.

In a rematch that underscored the intensity of state-level competition, Kenney, fatigued from his earlier matches, struggled to find openings against Bauer's resilient defense. Despite Kenney's determined efforts, Bauer's strategic takedowns in first and third period culminated led to an 8-0 major decision, securing the third-place spot and leaving Kenney with a well-earned fourth-place finish.

A just peace, nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine

Sam Veremchuk on the U of I Quad on Monday

Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

URBANA - Samuel Veremchuk, a graduate student at the University of Illinois, organized a rally, drawing a small yet passionate group of attendees, predominantly Ukrainian, Eastern European, and supportive Americans. The event, 'Rally for a Just Peace in Ukraine!', aimed to bolster solidarity for Ukraine amidst the Russian invasion and the evolving US foreign policy under the new Trump administration was held on the Quad behind the Illini Union Monday afternoon.

Ukrainian-American Joseph Mosse expresses his thoughts and frustrations at the rally on Monday. Mosse lived in Ukraine for ten years when he was a child. Mosse said, "Ukrainians have benefited greatly from support from the United States, from Europe and from other countries. Frankly even that support was never enough."

On Thursday, four campus departments will sponsor the screening of "Intercepted," a documentary film composed of intercepted phone calls from Russian soldiers on Ukrainian battlefields to their families and friends in Russia. The film combines these recordings with vivid imagery depicting the aftermath of Russia's destructive invasion. Sponsored by the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center; Ukrainian Students Association; Slavic Reference Service; and Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures, the event will include a discussion featuring REEC Associate Director Markian Dobczansky and Olha Khometa, Assistant Professor in Slavic Languages & Literatures.

The screening is free to the public and will be shown in Room 66 at Main Library, located 1408 W Gregory Dr in Urbana.