Stingers compete in IKWF sectional wrestling tourney

ROCK ISLAND—The Stingers wrestling team competed in the IKWF sectional wrestling tournament Saturday in Rock Island. There were 43 teams and almost 300 wrestlers competing in this tournament. The Stingers finished in the top 20 as a team with only five wrestlers which is an accomplishment in itself.

Said Coach Chase Holloway , “We had three wrestlers earn medals. The IKWF sectional tournament is divided into two divisions with elementary age kids that can not move on to the state tournament due to their age. The Jr. High age group is known to be the toughest state tournament in Illinois for Jr. High wrestling. Two stingers placed and can not move on while one, Bradlee Ellis, will now move onto the state tournament this weekend in Rockford as a two time state qualifier.”

More: Five members of Stingers Wrestling Club compete in Tourney

Holloway continued, “After two years of a pandemic, losing our practice facility, and fundraising to buy our mats our kids came back ready to compete. Even with smaller numbers than usual we had a very successful year and came home with three sectional medalists. We are very proud of all five of our Stingers and the work they have put in over the last 4.5 months. Bradlee has been a great leader and role model for our young wrestlers in his seven years with us. He has had to wrestle his four coaches every day in practice which has made a huge difference in his ability to adapt to his extremely tough competition.”

Results:

Bradlee Ellis-Third, 118 pounds —Senior division

Eli Latimer-Third, 115 pounds—Intermediate Division

Judah Hedges, Second, 76 pounds—Intermediate Division

Bo Ellis DNP, 83 pounds

Bryson Lowrance DNP, 59 pounds

This article originally appeared on Canton Daily Ledger: Stingers wrestling team competed in the IKWF sectional tourney