Jamie A. Rodriguez submitted this report and photographs
Colton Linke (75 lbs.) and Riley Wilkens (185 lbs.) traveled to Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, with the same expectations: bring home a State Title. It’s unfortunate that wouldn’t be the case. However, the Morrison Junior High Medal Count Streak continues into its ninth year–as both boys brought home 5th Place medals. Both took different paths to achieve their medals.
For his second year in a row, 7th grader Colton Linke found himself in the Semifinals, only to lose a 7-0 decision to eventual State Champion Colton King of Forrest, IL, Prairie Central. Linke would meet up with Kai Neumark of Deerfield, IL, Caruso, who defeated Linke in the 2015 Semifinal. Linke would lose another heartbreaker to Neumark 1-0 in an Ultimate Tie Break situation. Linke bounced back to beat Rase James of Mattoon, IL, 15-2, to bring home his second medal of his Junior High career.
75 lbs. Colton Linke
Championship 1st Round: Linke Fall 2:43 Ryan Tremble of Braidwood, IL, Reed-Custer
Championship Quarterfinals: Linke Fall 2:26 Zion Dooley, Cahokia, IL, Wirth
Championship Semifinals: Colton King Forrest, IL, Prairie Central Dec 7-0 Linke
Semifinal Wrestlebacks: Kai Neumark, Deerfield, IL, Caruso, Dec 1-0 UTB Linke
5th Place Match: Linke M-Dec 15-2 Rase Janes, Mattoon, IL
Eighth grader Riley Wilkens made his first trip to the IESA State Tournament. Riley made a splash right away on Friday night, March11, 2016. However, Saturday morning, March 12, would prove to be difficult. Being pinned in a close match is always heartbreaking. Wilkens lost to Matt Burba from Algonquin, IL, Heineman. Most first-time State qualifiers would buckle under the pressure, but not Wilkens. Riley started with two consecutive pins of his own, which placed him in in the Semifinal Wrestlebacks. He started on the right foot, but fell short of the victory. He was pinned by Arnold Edwards of Cahokia, IL, Wirth at the 3:17 mark in the match. This would pit Wilkens against a familiar foe, Matt Burba who dropped consecutive matches after his earlier match with Wilkens. Wilkens had to collect himself before he walked onto the mat. He had fire in his eyes and would not be denied this time. Wilkens pinned Burba in 40 seconds and claimed his 5th place medal.
185 lbs. Riley Wilkens
Championship First Round: Wilkens Fall 0:38 Caden Flanders of Petersburg, IL, Porta
Champion Quarterfinals: Matt Burba, Algonquin, IL, Heineman Fall 1:31 Wilkens
First Round Wrestlebacks: Wilkens Fall 3:45 Mack Foy, Erie, IL
Quarterfinal Wrestlebacks: Wilkens Fall 1:20 Nate Miller, Mascoutah, IL
Semifinal Wrestlebacks: Arnold Edwards, Cahokia, IL, Wirth Fall 3:17 Wilkens
5th Place: Wilkens Fall 0:40 Matt Burba, Algonquin, IL, Heineman
See full results at https://www.iesa.org/activities/bwr/results_Brackets.asp?Year=2016.