Coach Tony Wright submitted the press release and photos.
The Mustangs sent four wrestlers to the Sectional Tournament in Oregon, IL. They are Freshman Noah Stout (33-9) at 175; Junior Brady Anderson (39-11) at 165; Sophomore Caleb Modglin (42-9) at 144; Freshman Cael Wright (37-2) at 106.
This Sectional has long been known as the toughest in the State, and that reputation held up this past weekend. Cael Wright picked a great time to “step up his game” and won the Sectional. He punched his ticket to State.
Wright came in ranked 9th by Illinois Matmen. The 106 pounder won his first two matches with relative ease. This set up a semifinal matchup against 8th ranked Michael Pannarale from Stillman Valley, IL. Wright sent a message in this match, by pinning Pannarale in the 2nd period and set up a Championship rematch with 2nd ranked Landon Near from Newman. Near had decisively handed Wright his only two losses on the year–but this match would be very different. Wright got the first takedown in the first ten seconds. The two Freshman standouts battled back and forth, with Wright pulling off the upset with a 10-8 Sectional Championship victory.
The three other Mustangs advanced to the “blood round” in their respective brackets, only to see their season come to an end. Aptly named the blood round–perhaps the toughest match in wrestling–because the winner advances to the State Tournament and the loser goes home.
Caleb Modglin has been a force all season for the Mustangs, with over 40 wins (a rare feat) and carrying an Honorable Mention ranking by Illinois Matmen. Modglin, having won his Regional last week, received a first round bye. He took a tough loss to 4th ranked Ace Christiansen from Princeton, IL. Battling back through the wrestlebacks, Modglin (16-5) dominated another Honorable Mention wrestler, Connor Knop from West Carroll. In the “blood round,” he faced the 3rd ranked wrestler in the State, Cooper Corder from Sandwich, IL. Corder lived up to his ranking and defeated Modglin 17-4.
Brady Anderson also came to Oregon with an Honorable Mention ranking and in a weight class loaded with top-ten ranked Wrestlers. Anderson won his first match easily, then lost a tight second round match (4-1) to 9th ranked Tyler Jones from Wheaton Academy. Anderson had a huge come-from-behind victory versus John Mensendike of Lena, IL, in the quarter final wrestleback. Down 10-1, Anderson dug deeply and stormed back for a 12-10 victory! In the “blood round,” Anderson met another familiar foe, 4th ranked Dan Kelly from Newman. Kelly prevailed 13-2 in a match that was much closer than the score. Anderson reached the 100 Career Wins milestone at the Sectional Tournament.
At 175, Noah Stout easily won his first round match. Then he met 2nd ranked and returning 2nd place finisher Eli Larsen from Lena Winslow. Larsen prevailed, putting Stout into the wrestlebacks. Stout fought his way back to the “blood round” for a rematch of the Regional Finals against Skyler Crooks of Fulton, IL. Crooks tech falled Stout in Regionals. Stout made some adjustments and gave the Senior all he could handle, in a 22-14 shootout that saw several lead changes.
Head Coach Tom Drosopolous and Coach Tony Wright are very proud of their team’s effort! The Sectional Tournament is always a grind, physically and mentally. It is full of surprises and a roller coaster of emotions. The four Mustang wrestlers battled valiantly and gave themselves an opportunity to be State qualifiers. The Coaches are excited about Cael Wright’s opportunity to represent Morrison at the State Finals, February 20-22.