Illini West youth Wrestling begins
By Doug Endres
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 4:41 PM CST
The Illini West Youth Wrestling team, formerly the Carthage Youth Wrestling team, began its new season in early November.
The team is using new uniforms with the Illini West High School Chargers logo. They finished with a team record of 10 pins and two first place finishes at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, on Nov. 25, with over 200 wrestlers from Illinois, Iowa and Missouri.
Hunter Wilde, a returning wrestler from last year, placed first for the first time and had three pins at the meet. DeVante Jackson, a first time wrestler, also placed first. Drake Day, who had his firts pin at the University of Dubuque on Nov.18, had three more pins in Mt. Pleasant. He had the fastest pin of the tournament at seven seconds.
Ben Hanks added three pins, along with Dallas Neff, who had his first win by pin. Andrew McGhghy, Mitchell Hanks, Eddie-Lee Hanks, Michael Lord and Quinten Smith all placed third at the meet. First time wrestler Will Parry placed fifth overall.
Coach Jay Day holds very long and hard practices to learn the basics of wrestling and the rules.
“These are my toughest boys yet, and the results of their individual performances speak for themselves,” said Day. “I just can't say enough good things about these boys. Credit also goes to their families and grandparents who see to it that they are at practice.”
Practices are every Monday and Wednesday night from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Carthage Family Fitness Center (formerly the YMCA).
The Illini West Youth Wrestling schedule is as follows: Dec. 8, at Morning Sun, Iowa; Dec. 15, at West Burlington, Iowa; Jan. 5, at Mediapolis, Iowa; Jan. 13, at Ft. Madison, Iowa; Jan. 20, at Williamsburg, Iowa; Feb. 3, at Keokuk; and Feb. 10, at Burlington, Iowa. The schedule is subject to change.
The team is looking for people with wrestling experience to help coach or people who want to donate money for new mats.
Anyone wanting to help coach, donate money or have children who want to join the team, call 217/357-3376 or 357-2739. All coaches are unpaid volunteers.
|
