Washington thrashes wrestling visitors

Washington finished 12th out of 25 scoring teams Dec. 29 in the William "Red" Schmitt Invitational.

The Panthers, with five individuals in the top 10, compiled 296.5 points in the 52nd annual Granite City wrestling tournament.

Leading the way for Washington were third-place finishers Austin Wileman and Colton Gladwell.

In the 106-pound bracket, Wileman won Pool C with wins in all four of his bouts.

After a semifinal loss, Wileman claimed an 11-2 major decision over O'Fallon's Alex Williams in the third-place match.

Gladwell went 4-1 to earn first place in the 138 division in Pool A.

He followed a two-point loss in the semifinals with a 5-1 victory over Mike McNulty of Minooka to take third.

Travis Rice was fifth for the Panthers in 126. After placing second in Pool D, Rice won his last two contests, one of which was in overtime.

Colin Carr of Washington earned seventh-place distinction in 182. He was ignited by a runner-up standing in Pool C.

Randy Meneweather, after a third-place ranking in Pool B, won his final three matchups to garner ninth place.

Ethan Reel (106) and Andy Rettke (145) both were 11th for the Panthers, while Ryder Punke (120) wound up 12th.

Other Washington competitors included: Steeler Trout (285, 13th), Brad Howe (195, 16th), Jake Godinez (220, 18th), Kyle Stratton (170, 19th) Aaron Strubhar (152, 21st) and Jeremiah Thomas (160, 21st).

Memphis (Tenn.) Christian Brothers, with 665 points, was the team champion.

WCHS 61, Canton 18; WCHS 47, Metamora 21

The Panthers completed a perfect run through the Mid-Illini Conference Jan. 3.

Washington, ranked No. 6 statewide in the Jan. 2 Illinois Matmen Class 2A team rankings, cruised to a pair of home victories to finish the dual season 6-0.

The boys will enter the Jan. 26 league tournament at East Peoria in first place.

There were a host of Panther double winners.

Reel, Wileman, Punke, Meneweather, Rettke and Godinez all went 2-0 against the M-I foes.

Reel posted a 20-4 technical fall vs. Canton and an 11-5 decision against Metamora, while Wileman doubled up a Little Giant, 6-3, and pinned a Redbird at 5:04.

Punke was dominant with a second-period pin of a Canton grappler and 16-1 tech fall over Metamora. Meneweather pinned a Redbird at 1:29 and was one of five Washington wrestlers to receive a forfeit win against the Little Giants.

Rettke produced two first-period pins, and Godinez, pinned a Canton 195 foe at 4:42 and won, 10-5, vs. Metamora in 220.

Also prevailing against the Little Giants were: Cody Anderson, Lane Weaver, Stratton, Howe and Jeshua Sistrunk.

Additional Panther winners vs. the Redbirds included: Rice, Gladwell, Carr and Anthony DeMito.

WCHS 47, Normal West 18; WCHS 41, Central 27; WCHS 51, Rockford East 21

The Panthers were undefeated Friday in a home quadrangular.

Three freshmen came to the forefront for Washington.

Reel had three pins in the second period in 106, while 120-pounder Punke produced two pins in the second frame and another in the third vs. Rockford East.

Meneweather also was 3-0, with two pins and a major decision vs. Normal West.

Not to be overlooked were seniors Gladwell and Rettke, who traded off in 145 and 152. Gladwell secured a trio of pins. Rettke had a pin, a tech fall against Central and a decision vs. Normal West.

Wileman, Weaver, Carr and Godinez won two times apiece for the Panthers, one of which was against Normal West.

Also registering a victory for Washington were: Cody Anderson, Anthony DeMito, Kyle Stratton, Zac Miller and Brad Howe.

Increased presence: Besides rising three spots to No. 6 in the team poll, there also are more Washington individuals recognized by Illinois Matmen.

Leading the charge is Gladwell, who is second in 138.

Wileman is listed ninth in 106, Rice is 10th in 126 and Punke 12th in 120.

Meneweather (132) and Rettke (145) both are honorable mention in the Jan. 2 ratings.