St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling falls to BHRA in 48-30 decision

ST. JOSEPH - The Gallos are back! After a 16-year absence, the family that built the St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling program into a respected small-school program were back mat-side in the coaching chairs for the Spartans' home dual meet against Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin.

Under Bill Gallo, Sr., aka Papa G., the program blossomed from a 16-22 record during his first two seasons to 47 wins and six losses in his final two from 2004-2006.

Now an assistant coach under his son Bill, former SJO head wrestling coach Bill Gallo, Sr., watches attentively during Tuesday's home match against Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin. Starting back in November, with the addition of Billy, Bill's son and grandson to Bill, Sr., the Spartans are coached by three generations of Gallo wrestlers. (Photo: PhotoNews Media)


Now, with Bill Gallo leading the program, assisted by his son Billy, brother Joe, Papa G, and Shawn Freeman, the program is destined to return to a top-tier Class 2A wrestling program.

On Tuesday, despite a young, inexperienced roster with 26 wrestlers, 14 of who have never set foot on a mat until this season, the SJO fell by way of a respectable 48-30 decision to the visiting Blue Devils.

Spartans' Gary Page stuck Devils' Gracie Pattison in 42 seconds in their 106-pound bout. Coy Hays also earned the team six points by pinning BHRA's Donavan Guduskas in their 152-pound match. SJO's Emmit Holt and Peyton Sarver rounded out the evening's team scoring with another 12 points with forfeits.

The St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling team will be back at on the home mat on January 19 for a tri-meet with Clinton and El Paso-Gridley.

Box Score:

Varsity matches
106 - Gary Page (SJO) def Gracie Pattison (BHRA) by FALL :42
113 - Emmitt Holt (SJO) - FORFEIT
120 - Landen Teller (BHRA) def Camden Getty (SJO) by FALL 5:20
126 - Grahm Abbed (BHRA) def Brandon Goodwin (SJO) by FALL 2:32
132 - Holden Brazelton (SJO) win by FORFEIT
138 - Ayden Golden (BHRA) def Landen Butts (SJO) by FALL 3:32
145 - Tayler Carpenter (BHRA) def Vance McCombs (SJO) by FALL 1:03
152 - Coy Hayes (SJO) def Donavan Guduskas (BHRA) by FALL 3:05
160 - Marcus Schreiner (BHRA) def Devan Swisher (SJO) DECISION 7-4
170 - Christian Walton (BHRA) def Carson Sarnecki (SJO) by FALL 5:32
182 - Landynn Balla (BHRA)def Gabe Mata (SJO) by FALL :20
195 - Peyton Sarver (SJO) - FORFEIT
220 - Nathaniel Gnaden (BHRA) def Owen Birt (SJO) DECISION 10-6
285 - Hunter Wilson (BHRA) def Kyle Miccoli (SJO) by FALL :46

Exhibition matches
138- Landon Frick (SJO) defeated Mike Rodgers (BHRA) FALL 1:02
138- Mike Rodgers (BHRA) def Lexi Wirth (SJO) FALL 2:53
220- Quincy Jones (SJO) defeated Cooper Carpenter (BHRA) FALL :36
220- Hunter Ketchum (SJO) defeated Cooper Carpenter (BHRA) FALL 1:19

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SJO wrestling wins home match over BHRA, Getty and four others shine

Camden Getty wrestles against a Danville opponent in December. The junior picked up another win over another Vermilion County wrestler, defeating Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin's Dylen Toller via 37-second pin last Monday.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
ST. JOSEPH - Last Monday, the St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling team rolled past visiting Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin with a 62-16 victory. The last time the Spartans hosted the Blue Devils at home in 2023, it was a different story.

This time, SJO prevailed in five of the seven contested weight classes. The Blue Devils forfeited five weight classes, while the Spartans gave up points at 132 in the nonconference dual meet with a forfeit.

Camden Getty got things started for SJO with a 37-second pin over BHRA's Dylen Toeller in the 120-pound match. Wrestling at 144, Landen Butts also pinned his opponent, securing a win over Caleb Hamilton at 2:07 and giving the Spartans a 30-10 lead. Barely giving Blue Devil Dalyn Topp a chance to react, SJO's Thomas Ware ended their match with a 34-second pin, earning six team points.

Later, Spartan Alex Vaughn notched a technical fall over BHRA's Collin Hardin for the team's fourth win at 157.

In the only bout to go the distance, SJO's Chaz Bowlin pulled out a narrow 6-5 victory over BHRA's Ricky Smith at 190 pounds.

Bismarck-Henning secured wins at 138 from Landen Toeller and at 215 from Landynn Balla.

Complete match results:

106 - Wells, Ben (SJO) over Forfeit, (BHRA), FORFEIT, 6-0

113 - Hale, George (SJO) over Forfeit, (BHRA), FORFEIT, 12-0

120 - GETTY, CAMDEN (SJO) over Toellner, Dylen (BHRA Alvin)), Fall 0:37, 18-0

126 - BIRT, ELI (SJO) over Forfeit, (BHRA), FORFEIT, 24-0

132 - Willard, Dane (BHRAAlvin)) over Forfeit, (SJO), FORFEIT, 24-6

138 - Toellner, Landen (BHRA) over HUNDLEY, AIDEN (SJO), Maj Dec 17-7, 24-10

144 - BUTTS, LANDEN (SJO) over Hamilton, Caleb (BHRA Alvin)), Fall 2:07, 30-10

150 - WARE, THOMAS (SJO) over Topp, Dalyn (BHRA Alvin)), Fall 0:34, 36-10

157 - VAUGHN, ALEX (SJO) over Hardin, Collin (BHRA Alvin)), Tech Fall 17-0, 41-10

165 - HAYES, COY (SJO) over Rodgers, Michael (BHRA Alvin)), Fall 1:43, 47-10

175 - Mata, Gabe (SJO) over Forfeit, (BHRA), FORFEIT, 53-10

190 - BOWLIN, CHAZ (SJO) over Smith, Ricky (BHRA Alvin)), Decision 6-5, 56-10

215 - Balla, Landynn (BHRA) over PHILLIPS, NATHAN (SJO), Fall 2:14, 56-16

285 - Wagner, Cam (SJO) over Forfeit, (BHRA), FORFEIT, 62-16

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St. Joe-Ogden Athletics

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St. Joseph-Ogden secures hard-fought victory over Pontiac at IPC meet

CHILLICOTHE - The St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling team had an impressive run during the first day of the two-day Illini Prairie Conference wrestling meet on Jan. 17 at Illinois Valley Central High School, defeating the Pontiac Indians 48-35 in a closely contested dual.

The Spartans, who went 3-0 on day one, also secured commanding wins against Prairie Central (54-12) and St. Thomas More (66-12).

The meet began at 106 pounds, with Ben Wells earning a forfeit victory for the Spartans. At 113 pounds, Jackson Walsh notched the first of several key first-period pins for St. Joseph-Ogden, defeating Pontiac’s Sophia Mussari in 1:49. Cam Wagner, a standout sophomore heavyweight, capped the match with a first-period pin over Hunter McCullough in 1:35 to seal the victory. Wagner, who is enjoying a stellar debut season, is also a top-rated football player in Illinois with Division I scholarship offers from Nebraska, Illinois, Louisville, Miami of Ohio, and Iowa.

Other Spartans who delivered standout performances included Aiden Hundley (138 pounds), who pinned Kooper Wiles in 5:35, and Landen Butts (144 pounds), who recorded a fall over Cale Christenson in 5:60. Jonathan Moore (157 pounds) also added a pin, defeating Hunter Christenson in 3:02.

Pontiac kept the meet competitive with wins in several weight classes, including Noah Davis’ technical fall at 126 pounds and pins by Brayden Quas (150 pounds), Lucas Maier (165 pounds), Carlito Lattin (175 pounds), and Jackson Crawford (190 pounds). Despite their efforts, the Indians fell short as the Spartans’ depth and ability to secure bonus points proved decisive.

Box Score
106 - WELLS, BEN (SJO) over Forfeit, (Pontiac), FORFEIT; 113 - WALSH, JACKSON (SJO) over Mussari, Sophia (Pontiac), Fall 1:49; 120 - GETTY, CAMDEN (SJO) over Forfeit, (Pontiac), FORFEIT; 126 - Davis, Noah (Pontiac) over BIRT, ELI (SJO), Tech Fall 18-2; 132 - Hoegger, Alex (Pontiac) over Forfeit, (SJO), FORFEIT; 138 - HUNDLEY, AIDEN (SJO) over Wiles, Kooper (Pontiac), Fall 5:35; 144 - BUTTS, LANDEN (SJO) over Christenson, Cale (Pontiac), Fall 5:60; 150 - Quas, Brayden (Pontiac) over WARE, THOMAS (SJO), Fall 4:13; 157 - MOORE, JONATHON (SJO) over Christenson, Hunter (Pontiac), Fall 3:02; 165 - Maier, Lucas (Pontiac) over VAUGHN, ALEX (SJO), Fall 3:39; 175 - Lattin, Carlito (Pontiac) over SWISHER, DEVAN (SJO), Fall 8:28; 190 - Crawford, Jackson (Pontiac) over Carter, Liam (SJO), Fall 4:49; 215 - PHILLIPS, NATHAN (SJO) over Forfeit, (Pontiac), FORFEIT; 285 - WAGNER, CAM (SJO) over McCullough, Hunter (Pontiac), Fall 1:35.


St. Joe-Ogden Athletics
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SJO youth wrestling club needs your help to build a permanent home

Dear Editor,

Wrestling has been part of the St. Joseph-Ogden community since 1990. Oftentimes this is the first organized sport that kids partake in as members have started as young as four years old. Athletes who have been part of the program have been taught life lessons such as commitment, hard work, dedication, responsibility, resiliency, and a sense of ownership. The program has also produced numerous State Qualifiers, All-Staters, and SJO’s first two state champions.

Here is where your help is needed.

For years the youth wrestlers have used the St. Joseph-Ogden High School facilities as their wrestling home. Although the relationship has been a mutually beneficial one, it is time for the youth wrestling program to find a permanent home.

The SJO Youth Wrestling Club has been conducting a search for a new facility that will meet the ever changing needs of the community and the program. The idea is for the Youth Wrestling Club to have a place that can be used year round for practices, dual meets, and off-season training. This need has arisen due to the popularity of the sport and a lack of space to provide more opportunities for those interested. The facility will allow wrestlers, from pre-K through college, a space to wrestle, lift weights, and build relationships; a place that all SJO wrestlers can call HOME.

The SJO Youth Wrestling Club is looking for individuals and businesses to help our current and future wrestlers find a home. Each generous donation will receive recognition via a donor wall that will be visible to all that enter the future home of Spartan Wrestling. The donations levels are listed below.

SPARTAN LEVEL -$2500 +
MAROON LEVEL- $1000-$2499
COLUMBIA BLUE LEVEL- $500-$999
WHITE LEVEL- $250-$499
INDIVIDUALS CONTRIBUTIONS-up to $250

Email: sjoyouthwrestling@gmail.com
GoFundMe: SJO Wrestling Building

We thank you for taking the time to consider donating to this tremendous opportunity. We are grateful for any amount you are able to donate and thankful we live in communities that are always supportive of our youth. Go Spartans!!

Richard Vetter, Vice-President
SJO Youth Wrestling Board

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SJO rolls past Prairie Central at IPC Meet, Walsh notches first period-pin in rout

CHILLICOTHE - Michael Jackson sang "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" and the St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling took the song to heart, going undefeated during the first day of competition and the Illini Prairie Conference wrestling meet last week.

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.


St. Joe-Ogden Athletics
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Spartans dominate on the mats at IPC conference wrestling meet

CHILLICOTHE - The St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans showcased their dominance during the first day of the two-day Illini Prairie Conference wrestling meet on Jan. 17 at Illinois Valley Central High School, going undefeated with a 3-0 record. The Spartans capped their performance with a commanding 66-12 victory over the St. Thomas More Sabers.

The Spartans also notched decisive wins against Prairie Central (54-12) and Pontiac (48-35) to complete their sweep of day one.

The meet began at 106 pounds, where St. Joseph-Ogden’s Ben Wells set the tone with a first-period pin over RJ Cinnamon of St. Thomas More in just 1:30. Wells’ performance was one of the few contested matches, as the Sabers forfeited 10 of the 14 weight classes.

St. Thomas More found success in two of the three matches wrestled. Philip Christhilf earned a pin at 157 pounds, defeating Jonathon Moore of St. Joseph-Ogden in 1:23. James Schmidt added another win for the Sabers at 215 pounds, pinning Nathan Phillips in 1:32.

The Spartans’ depth was evident throughout the meet, with wrestlers like Jackson Walsh (113 pounds), Camden Getty (120 pounds), and Devan Swisher (175 pounds) earning points through forfeits. Aiden Hundley (138 pounds), Landen Butts (144 pounds), and Thomas Ware (150 pounds) also were present to help dominant scoreline.

With the victory, St. Joseph-Ogden improved its season record and solidified its position as a top contender in the conference. The team’s strong showing highlights its potential as postseason tournaments approach.

Next on the Schedule
The Spartans will host a multi-quad meet this Saturday, facing Decatur Unity Christian, Decatur MacArthur, Hoopeston, Cumberland, and St. Thomas More. Matches begin at 8:30 a.m.

St. Joseph-Ogden then hits the road for dual meets at Champaign Central High School on Wednesday, Jan. 29, and at GCMS on Thursday, Jan. 30.

Box Score
106 - WELLS, BEN (SJO) over Cinnamon, RJ (STM), Fall 1:30; 113 - WALSH, JACKSON (SJO) over Forfeit, (STM), FORFEIT; 120 - GETTY, CAMDEN (SJO) over Forfeit, (STM), FORFEIT; 126 - BIRT, ELI (SJO) over Forfeit, (STM), FORFEIT; 132 - Forfeit, (STM) over Forfeit, (SJO), Double Forfeit; 138 - HUNDLEY, AIDEN (SJO) over Forfeit, (STM), FORFEIT; 144 - BUTTS, LANDEN (SJO) over Forfeit, (STM), FORFEIT; 150 - WARE, THOMAS (SJO) over Forfeit, (STM), FORFEIT; 157 - Christhilf, Philip (STM) over MOORE, JONATHON (SJO), Fall 1:23; 165 - VAUGHN, ALEX (SJO) over Forfeit, (STM), FORFEIT; 175 - SWISHER, DEVAN (SJO) over Forfeit, (STM), FORFEIT; 190 - Carter, Liam (SJO) over Forfeit, (STM), FORFEIT; 215 - Schmidt, James (STM) over PHILLIPS, NATHAN (SJO), Fall 1:32; 285 - WAGNER, CAM (SJO) over Forfeit, (STM), FORFEIT.


St. Joe-Ogden Athletics
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SJO continues to dominate IPC foes at conference meet, defeats Rantoul 58-16

CHILLICOTHE - In a commanding display of prowess, the St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling program continued their winning streak at the Illini Prairie Conference wrestling meet, triumphing over the Rantoul Eagles with a resounding 58-16 victory on day 2 of competition.

After a stellar performance on the opening day against Prairie Central, Pontiac, and St. Thomas More, SJO entered the match against Rantoul with justifiable confidence. The Spartans wasted no time asserting their dominance, securing wins in nine of the 14 weight classes. Almost every contested match ended in a pin, serving notice of SJO's rise back to its former reputation as a formidable small school wrestling program with the return of the Gallo family as coaches.

Leading the charge for SJO were standout wrestlers who delivered exceptional performances throughout the tournament. Landen Butts maintained his undefeated streak, going 3-0 over the weekend with impressive victories including a decisive pin against Daemian Spisak of Prairie Central and a quick takedown of Cale Christenson from Pontiac. Eli Birt also showcased his prowess with a solid decision victory over Drake Clemons from Prairie Central.

Aiden Hundley added to SJO's tally with a commanding fall over Kooper Wiles from Pontiac, while Jackson Walsh displayed his dominance with a pin over Sophia Mussari from Pontiac, solidifying his 2-0 record for the weekend.

Taking a look at their overall performance, SJO has outscored their opponents by a notable margin, tallying an impressive 226-75 since the start of the conference tournament. With three matches to go, the Spartans positioned the team for a top-three finish at this year's tourney.

Looking ahead, the Spartans are gearing up for their upcoming matches. Tomorrow, SJO will host a Multi-Quad event featuring Decatur Unity Christian, Decatur MacArthur, Hoopeston, Cumberland, and St. Thomas More, starting at 8:30 AM. Next week, they will face off against Champaign Central High School in a dual meet on Wednesday at 6 PM, followed by a visit to GCMS on Thursday at 5:30 PM.

Box Score
106 - WELLS, BEN (SJO) over Forfeit, (Rantoul), FORFEIT; 113 - WALSH, JACKSON (SJO) over Hench, Emmett (Rantoul), Fall 1:20; 120 - GETTY, CAMDEN (SJO) over Forfeit, (Rantoul), FORFEIT; 126 - BIRT, ELI (SJO) over Taylor, Ryker (Rantoul), Tech Fall 22-6; 132 - Forfeit, (Rantoul) over Forfeit, (SJO), Double Forfeit; 138 - HUNDLEY, AIDEN (SJO) over Beach, Bryson (Rantoul), Fall 1:29; 144 - BUTTS, LANDEN (SJO) over Dunner, Nicholas (Rantoul), Fall 4:35; 150 - WARE, THOMAS (SJO) over Buck, Wyatt (Rantoul), Tech Fall 21-3; 157 - Almanza, Brandon (Rantoul) over MOORE, JONATHON (SJO), Fall 4:03; 165 - Williams, Darius (Rantoul) over VAUGHN, ALEX (SJO), Fall 7:14; 175 - SWISHER, DEVAN (SJO) over Mager, Alex (Rantoul), Fall 1:52; 190 - Schultz, Harley (Rantoul) over Carter, Liam (SJO), Maj Dec 14-6; 215 - PHILLIPS, NATHAN (SJO) over Nutter, Alexander (Rantoul), Fall 0:41; 285 - WAGNER, CAM (SJO) over Forfeit, (Rantoul), FORFEIT.



St. Joe-Ogden Athletics
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Spartans dominate South Vermillion in 61-13 dual meet victory

Cameron Wagner wrestling Drew Hess from South Vermillion High School
A dominant performance across the lineup lifted St. Joseph-Ogden to a lopsided dual meet victory Tuesday night. SJO earned a 61-13 dual meet win over South Vermillion.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Spartans' Nathan Daly stops a shot by Wildcats' Gavin Martin in the first period of their 150 pound bout on Tuesday. Daly went on to win the match 53 seconds into the second period to give SJO at 39-6 lead midway through the match on Tuesday.


ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden’s wrestling team continued its strong season with a decisive 61-13 dual meet victory over South Vermillion County on Tuesday night, rolling to wins in 12 of the 14 contested bouts. The victory improved the Spartans’ dual record to 18-4, reflecting a lineup that controlled the match from the opening weight class.

SJO jumped out early behind a fall from Weston Hubbard at 106 pounds and never looked back. Levi Lee (113) and Ben Wells (120) both added forfeit victories, while George Hale edged out a 9-8 decision at 126 to keep the Spartans unbeaten through the first four weights. Camden Getty (132) and Aiden Hundley (138) followed with falls, extending the lead to 33-0 before South Vermillion put points on the board.

Nathan Daly (150) restarted the momentum for St. Joseph-Ogden with a fall, and the middle weights continued to dominate. Alex Vaughn (157) earned a technical fall, and Coy Hayes (165) added another tech fall as the Spartans built an insurmountable advantage. Caleb Dwyer (215) closed out the upper weights with a forfeit win, and Cam Wagner capped the night with a first-period fall at 285 pounds.

With the dual meet complete, St. Joseph-Ogden now turns its attention to hosting duties. The Spartans will host the Illini Prairie Conference Meet on Friday, beginning at 4:30 p.m., with eight teams competing simultaneously across four mats in dual competition on Friday and Saturday.


ABOVE: St. Joseph-Ogden's Alec Bowlin lifts South Vermillion's Garret Pate during their 144-pound match. Bowlin, who scored on the shot and picked back points, was pinned in the first round by Pate. BELOW: SJO's Cam Wagner shoots in for a takedown. The junior went on to pin Wildcats' Drew Hess in a minute and 17 seconds into their 285-pound match.
Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Cameron Wagner wrestling Drew Hess from South Vermillion High School


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St. Joseph-Ogden High School wrestling dual meet win, SJO wrestling 61-13 South Vermillion recap, Illini Prairie Conference wrestling host preview, high school wrestling dual meet Illinois Indiana, St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling 18-4 season
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Depth and pins propel St. Joseph-Ogden to second at IPC wrestling tournament

St. Joseph-Ogden placed second at the Illini Prairie Conference Wrestling Tournament with a 6-1 record. The Spartans swept six duals and fell only to Unity in the championship matchup. SJO opened the tournament with three lopsided wins on Friday.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

SJO's Vance McComas wrestles IVC's Mason Talley in their 190 pound match. McComas pinned Talley at 3:34 for the win. St. Joseph-Ogden went on to win the dual at the conference meet 72-9.

ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden put together a dominant two-day showing at the Illini Prairie Conference Wrestling Tournament, finishing second overall with a 6-1 record and sweeping its six non-Unity duals in convincing fashion. The weekend was yet another sign that Spartan wrestling program is making positive strides back to its position of one of the area's top Class 1A wrestling programs with the return of the Gallo family leading the program after a 16-year hiatus.

The Spartans’ only conference tournament loss came against eventual champion Unity, which secured its seventh league title. SJO controlled the rest of the field, placing ahead of Monticello, Pontiac, Illinois Valley Central, Prairie Central, Rantoul and St. Thomas More.

St. Joseph-Ogden opened the round-robin tournament Friday with a 71-6 rout of Prairie Central, followed by a 72-9 win over Illinois Valley Central. The Spartans closed the first day by overpowering Rantoul 59-9, establishing early momentum behind depth throughout the lineup.

Saturday began with a 48-33 victory over Pontiac, then a 57-24 win over Monticello. SJO capped its non-championship duals by cruising past St. Thomas More 72-12 before setting up a title-deciding matchup with Unity.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Spartans' Cam Getty settles in for a pin during his 126 pound match against Illinois Valley Central's Bradley Allen.

The championship dual began at 144 pounds, where Unity quickly seized momentum. The Rockets opened the match with a fall by Hayden Smith over Alec Bowlin at 144. The team from Tolono strung together victories at 150, 157, 165 and 175 to build an early 27-0 advantage by controlling the middle of the lineup.

St. Joseph-Ogden stopped the run at 190 pounds, where senior Vance McComas pinned Bradley Smith for six points. Unity responded at 215, as Chason Daley delivered a pivotal second-period fall over Liam Carter to extend the lead to 33-6.

At heavyweight, Cam Wagner won his seventh match in two days with a 40-second pin of Christian Sellers. Wagner added valuable team points despite limited competition, recording a pin against Pontiac and collecting multiple forfeits.

As the dual wrapped back through the lighter weights, St. Joseph-Ogden mounted a late surge. Levi Lee earned a first-period pin over Vincent Abon at 106 pounds. Sophomore Ben Wells followed at 113 with two takedowns before pinning Ian Skibbe 38 seconds into the bout. George Hale added another fall at 120 by pinning Deklyn Thomas, and Cam Getty capped the lightweight run with a first-period pin of Bryson Williams at 126.

The four consecutive wins gave SJO a 36-33 advantage heading into the 132-pound match, which the Spartans had to forfeit. In the final contested bout of the meet, Unity clinched the match and conference title with a technical fall by AJ Daly over Aiden Hundley.

Individually for the Spartans, Getty finished the tournament with five wins, all by pin, with his only loss coming in sudden victory against Pontiac freshman Jack Voigts.

Coy Hayes also posted six wins, including five pins and one forfeit, with his lone setback coming by major decision to Unity’s Abram Davidson.

Carter finished with five victories and one loss at 215 pounds. Four of his wins came by pin over opponents from Monticello, Pontiac, Illinois Valley Central and Prairie Central.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden 157 pound wrestler Alex Vaughn pins Rantoul's Jordan Cross in the first period. The Spartans cruised to a 59-9 victory over the Eagles on Friday.


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TAGS: St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling second place finish, Illini Prairie Conference wrestling tournament recap, SJO Spartans conference wrestling results, Illinois high school conference wrestling standings, Unity vs St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling dual

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the starting weight class of the dual meet between Unity and St. Joseph-Ogden. The match began at 144 pounds, not 106. The story has been updated to reflect the correct order of competition. We regret the error.
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St. Joseph-Ogden ties Monticello at conference wrestling meet, Wagner averts SJO loss

CHILLICOTHE - St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling showcased resilience and grit on January 18 during the Illini Prairie Conference at Illinois Valley Central High School, battling Monticello to a dramatic 40-40 tie.

After defeating Rantoul earlier in the tournament, the Spartans started strong against the Sages, jumping to a commanding 17-0 lead. Jackson Walsh set the tone with a dominant 17-0 tech fall over Aiden Komnick at 113 pounds, while Camden Getty followed with a lightning-fast 34-second pin against Monticello's Kellan Lamb at 120 pounds.

Monticello responded with a string of victories, including Nick Litchfield’s 18-2 tech fall at 126 pounds and a forfeit at 132 pounds. Despite SJO's Aiden Hundley and Landen Butts securing key wins at 138 and 144 pounds, Monticello mounted a comeback. Russ Brown’s 16-1 tech fall at 190 pounds tied the score at 34-all, and Hunter Romano’s second-period pin at 215 pounds gave the Sages their first lead of the match, 40-34.

The Spartans’ hopes rested on sophomore heavyweight Cam Wagner, who delivered under pressure. Wagner pinned Nate Darnell in just 55 seconds, tying the match at 40-40 and preserving SJO’s unbeaten record for the day.

With Monticello behind them, the Spartans faced two more challenges on Saturday: Unity, a 2023 IHSA Class 1A Elite 8 team, and host Illinois Valley Central.

Summary of Key Results
  • 106: Ben Wells (SJO) pinned River Young (Monticello), 1:32
  • 113: Jackson Walsh (SJO) tech fall over Aiden Komnick (Monticello), 17-0
  • 120: Camden Getty (SJO) pinned Kellan Lamb (Monticello), 0:34
  • 138: Aiden Hundley (SJO) pinned Daniel Moore (Monticello), 1:31
  • 144: Landen Butts (SJO) tech fall over Drake Weeks (Monticello), 16-0
  • 190: Russ Brown (Monticello) tech fall over Carter Liam (SJO), 16-1
  • 215: Hunter Romano (Monticello) pinned Nathan Phillips (SJO), 4:38
  • 285: Cam Wagner (SJO) pinned Nate Darnell (Monticello), 0:55

Box Score
106 - WELLS, BEN (SJO) over Young, River (Monticello), Fall 1:32; 113 - WALSH, JACKSON (SJO) over Komnick, Aiden (Monticello), Tech Fall 17-0; 120 - GETTY, CAMDEN (SJO) over Lamb, Kellan (Monticello), Fall 0:34; 126 - Litchfield, Nick (Monticello) over BIRT, ELI (SJO), Tech Fall 18-2; 132 - Osborne, Will (Monticello) over Forfeit, (SJO), FORFEIT; 138 - HUNDLEY, AIDEN (SJO) over Moore, Daniel (Monticello), Fall 1:31; 144 - BUTTS, LANDEN (SJO) over Weeks, Drake (Monticello), Tech Fall 16-0; 150 - Ducker, Isaiah (Monticello) over WARE, THOMAS (SJO), Fall 0:35; 157 - Shubert, Colton (Monticello) over DALY, NATHAN (SJO), Fall 1:08; 165 - MOORE, JONATHON (SJO) over Mikulich, Christian (Monticello), Fall 5:51; 175 - Sinkosky, Max (Monticello) over SWISHER, DEVAN (SJO), Fall 0:55; 190 - Brown, Russ (Monticello) over Carter, Liam (SJO), Tech Fall 16-1; 215 - Romano, Hunter (Monticello) over PHILLIPS, NATHAN (SJO), Fall 4:38; 285 - WAGNER, CAM (SJO) over Darnell, Nate (Monticello), Fall 0:55.



St. Joe-Ogden Athletics
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Photo Gallery | Lightweights lift SJO in home win over Clinton

ST. JOSEPH - The St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling squad won seven out of the nine lightest weight classes on the way to a 56-36 win last night over Clinton. Here are photos from last night's action-packed meet against the Maroons.

Hunter Ketchum rolls Clinton's Aric Oliver to his back
Spartan's Hunter Ketchum rolls Clinton's Aric Oliver to his back in their 182-pound match on Thursday in the Main Gym at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. Ketchum, competing in second season, picked up his first varsity win with pin at 2:55.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Fans cheer after St. Joseph-Ogden 182-pounder Hunter Ketchum
Fans cheer after St. Joseph-Ogden 182-pounder Hunter Ketchum's win over Clinton's Aric Oliver. Ketchum's victory put the first six point on SJO's side of the scoreboard.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

SJO's Peyton Sarver
SJO's Peyton Sarver tries to drive Kael Morlock face down into the mat during their 195-pound match. Sarver battled valiantly for nearly six minutes before suffering a loss by pin with 8 seconds left on the clock. Fall 5:52

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Peyton Sarver
Peyton Sarver overpowers Clinton's Kael Morlock during second period action in their 195-pound match. Sarver is one for four seniors on this year's Spartan wrestling team.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Wrestling at 285-pounds, SJO wrestler Quincy Jones looks for a shot in on Clinton's Dawson Thayer. Thayer went on to beat the Spartan in the first period by pin.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Clinton's Dawson Thayer wrestles Spartans' Quincy Jones.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Jackson Walsh
Jackson Walsh shoots in for a takedown on Clinton's Jeremiah Ortiz during the 106-pound match. Walsh prevailed with pin at 4:47. Earlier in the triangle meet on Thursday, Walsh suffered defeat by El Paso-Gridley's Nolan Whitman by way of a first period pin.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

With the crowd cheering behind him, 106-pound wrestler Jackson Walsh from SJO celebrates his win over Clinton's Jeremiah Ortiz. Walsh, a sophomore

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Emmitt Holt dumps Clinton's Gabe Walker to the mat during their 120-pound bout. Holt, the only junior this year's squad, ran up the match score up to a 20-3 tech fall and tallied his second win of the day. Earlier in SJO's first match of the evening, Holt defeated El Paso-Gridley's Caleb Graham with a second period pin.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Spartans' Holden Brazelton somersaults out of a takedown attempt by Clinton's Cayden Poole in their 132-pound match. Brazelton, who finished 6th at last year's state finals as a 120-pound freshman, destroyed Poole by major decision, 11-2.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

SJO's Holden Brazelton
SJO's Holden Brazelton tries force Clinton's Cayden Poole out of a neck bridge in their 132-pound match. Brazelton, who finished 6th at last year's state finals as a 120-pound freshman, destroyed Poole by major decision, 11-2.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Student fans and members of the St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling team cheer for Holden Brazelton at the end of the second period during his match against Clinton's Cayden Poole.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Holden Brazelton
Holden Brazelton scores a takedown in his 132-pound match against Clinton's Cayden Poole.

Media/Clark Brooks

Representing SJO in the 138-pound weight class against Clinton, Landen Butts was all business in his match against Maroons' Sable Taylor. Butts crafted a 16-0 techinical fall to win the bout. Earlier in the evening, the sophomore lost to El Paso-Gridley's Tyler Roth by pin. Tech Fall 16-0

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Coy Hayes looks for an attack
After earning back points, Spartans' Coy Hayes looks for an attack on Clinton's Russel Stamp. Hayes won the 152-pound match in the second period by pin.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

SJO wrestler Maddie Wells
SJO wrestler Maddie Wells tries score points on Clinton's Ariana Humes during their 120-pound match. Wells, a freshman, earned six points for the Spartans after pinning Humes at 2:48.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Maddie Wells is declared winner
Maddie Wells is declared winner after pinning Clinton sophomore Ariana Humes.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden wrestler nearly pins a Clinton grappler during the 120-pound exhibition match.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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