Morrison High School Wrestling Coach Tony Wright submitted this article and a link to “about 300” February 2019 State Finals photos.
The 2019 IHSA Individual wrestling season has concluded. Colton Linke (37-9 on the season), Morrison’s 120 lb. wrestler, brought home a 6th place medal and All-State honors. It was a tough road to success, as it should be at the State Tournament level. Linke stands at left during the medal presentation.
In the first round he squared off against Bobby Mann of Reed-Custer, who had beaten him earlier in the season. Mann scored first, with a takedown early in the match. Displaying his new resolve, Linke battled back and began running up the score. It was his offensive persistence that eventually broke Mann’s will; Linke went on to win big, 14-3.
In round two, however, Linke was upended by Heyworth’s Gabe Spencer, the number-one-ranked wrestler and eventual State Champion.
In the second round wrestle-backs Linke faced Auburn’s, Michael Ushman, who again scored the first takedown. Undeterred, Linke created a scramble in the second period, where he caught Ushman on his back, and was able to secure a fall. This set up a matchup with Dakota’s, Lucas Sutherland in the “blood-round.”
For those unaware, the “blood-round,” as wrestling fans affectionately call it, is the round that qualifies you for the medals. Win, and you’re in the medals; lose, and it’s go home without hardware. This round may be the best round in all of wrestling. It produces some of the most memorable matches across all levels of wrestling.
For the fourth straight match, Linke surrendered the first takedown, taking a 2-0 deficit into the second period. He found himself in the top position in the second period [and] began to display some of his top wizardry. He was able to score a three point near-fall, to take a brief lead, but was hit with a penalty at the end of the sequence. Misunderstanding the situation, Linke surrendered three more penalty points, creating a 6-3 deficit. With tensions high and the pressure on, Linke collected himself and worked hard. He secured two more three point near-falls, to earn himself a 9-6 victory and place in the medal rounds.
In the semi-final wrestle-backs Linke was ousted by Nathan Orosco (3rd place), of Aurora Christian, and suffered a 2-1 loss in the fifth place match to Dayton Hall, Mount Carmel, a now two-time State place winner. Linke’s State medal is Morrison’s fourth individual State wrestling medal in four years (including a State title by Joe Eads in 2017.)
Riley Wilkens (35-10 on the season), Morrison’s 285 lb. wrestler, also competed in the State Wrestling Tournament. His tournament started much like Linke’s. Wilkens won his first match in dominating fashion, securing a second period pin over Demarey Phillips of Engelwood.
In round two Wilkens faced number-one-ranked Chad Grimm of Beardstown. Wilkens scored the first takedown on a scramble. Grimm escaped, and Wilkens excited the crowd by throwing Grimm in a headlock. Grimm, however, was able to roll through and secure a takedown of his own. In the final sequence of the match, Wilkens again thrilled the crowd, tripping Grimm to his back. It was Grimm, though, that was able to hit an explosive bridge and carry Wilkens’ momentum to his own back. Grimm secured the fall.
In the second round of wrestle-backs, Wilkens hit another “highlight reel” headlock, making quick work of Lisle’s Kevin Paz. This put Wilkens in the “blood-round” with a chance for the medals. Fate wouldn’t be on Wilkens’ side. He was caught on his back in a scramble and pinned, ending his season one match shy of the medals.
On behalf of the Mustang Wrestling Team, we would like to thank all of our parents and supporters. Upcoming Illinois events for the wrestling family are listed below.
Saturday, February 23 – Jr. High Regionals at Erie
Sunday, February 24 – IWCOA Fresh/Soph Regionals at MHS
Saturday, March 2 – Jr. High Sectionals at East Peoria
Sunday, March 3 – IWCOA Fresh/Soph Sectionals at Sterling HS
Friday, March 8 – Jr. High State at DeKalb Convocation Center
Saturday, March 9 – IWCOA Fresh/Soph State at Springfield
Saturday, March 16 Wrestling Awards Banquet at Hilltop Lanes, 629 E. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL, at 3:00 p.m.