Kahok grapplers compete at Granite tourney
By Mark Jurgena
The boys wrestling team at Collinsville took part in the 61st annual Red Schmitt tourney at Granite City over the Holiday break.
“It is one of the toughest tournaments of the year for the boys,” said CHS coach Jordan May. “We didn’t have the turnout that we hoped for, however we know what we need to build on and we plan on coming back next year and doing better than we did this year.”
Collinsville’s young squad ended up in the 24th spot in the 27-team field.
Whitfield, Mo. won the tourney with 280.5 points while Mahomet-Seymour was second with 269.
May was unable to attend the meet due to the girls tournaments that took place at the same time. So assistant coach Adam Gillespie served as the top coach for the Kahoks at the event.
“This is the toughest tournament of the year for our guys, it was a big eye-opener for the lineup as to the type of competition that’s to be found outside of our conference,” said Gillespie. “This tournament set the tone for the rest of our season and our preparation for regionals as a team. Our goal as a team is to come in next year and compete at a higher level and break the top ten as far as team placement.”
Cody Lutz took eighth place at 170 pounds and was the highest finisher for the Kahoks going 3-4 at the tourney.
He began the tourney by beating Jack Nowicki of Plainfield (North) by pinfall in 53 seconds then pinned Lloyd Mills of Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic) at the 1:53 mark.
After falling in round three, he bounced back with a pin over Mike Barberi of Tinley Park (Andrew) at 2:00.
Mason Hare also took three wins at Granite Aiden DuRell of Plainfield (North) by a major decision at 15-4 and later pinned Landon Raab Willard, Mo. at the 2:00 mark. The two returned to the mat and Hare again pinned Raab this time at the 1:19 mark.
At 115 pounds Cameron Minner began his tourney by pinning Benjamin Zamkin (Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic) in 15 seconds…yes 15.
Later in the tourney, Minner pinned Chase Tankson of Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic) at the 2:09 mark. He then beat Brady Precht of Willard at the 2:00 mark.
He took a fourth match victory over Jayden Wilkinson of Mascoutah.
Scott Snyder took four wins at Granite beginning with a 35-second pin of Frankie Marciel of Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic) and followed by a major decision over Wyatt Theobald of Huntley.
Next, he pinned Deverick Adams of Granite City in 29 seconds. He took a final victory over Jhymear Smith-Henson of Mt. Vernon at 2:16.
Jack Shepherd took two matches in the 285-pound class. He beat Cayden Laubenthal of Waterloo at the 4:35 mark and then pinned Jayden Bleisch Mascoutah at 57 seconds.
Nathan Cagg beat Colin Lowery of Normal (West) via sudden victory in overtime and pinned Christian Fanetti of St. Louis (CBC) at 1:42.
Tyler Minner and Stephen Stewart took one win each.
CHS 72 Belleville (Althoff) 7
The Kahoks recorded 12 pins of the 14 matches that evening. The two quickest pins were by Cameron Minner in 31 seconds and Scott Snyder in 12 seconds.
Upcoming Schedule
The Kahoks face Belleville East tonight in Belleville. They faced Bethalto (Civic Memorial) Tuesday night and Alton last night but details of those matches were unavailable at press time.
