Washington earns league four-peat

Washington extended its string of Mid-Illini Conference wrestling titles to four years Saturday.

The Panthers fended off host East Peoria, 226.5-201, in the league tournament to complete a perfect season.

Washington had 16.5 points for the season, combining a 6-0 dual record with its tournament finish.

The Raiders, who were 5-1, were the runner-up for the third straight year after compiling 14 points for 2012-13.

Six Panther individuals won championships and automatic first-team all-conference positions for head coach Bryan Medlin.

Seniors Austin Wileman, Colton Gladwell and Andy Rettke, junior Colin Carr and freshmen Ryder Punke and Randy Meneweather all placed first in Allison Gymnasium.

Wileman and Gladwell earned their third consecutive titles, while Rettke achieved back-to-back crowns.

Wileman (30-8) capped his 113-pound championship with an 8-2 decision over Drew Burgess of Limestone.

He also recorded a 15-0 technical fall against Morton's Jace Glascock.

Gladwell (29-5) pinned Gabe Pleasants of Morton in one minute to close out the 138 bracket.

He also pinned Pekin semifinalist Kris Clark at the 2:13 mark.

Rettke (22-13) derailed Jake Harris of Canton, 9-5, to decide the 145 crown.

Rettke scored a 14-6 major decision as well vs. East Peoria's Bryce Sandoval.

Carr (24-10) emerged at the top of the 182 division after an 8-3 decision against Alex Bleeker of Pekin.

He reached that match with a 37-second pin of East Peoria's Evan Betz.

Punke (27-13) needed only to shut out Austin Harper of East Peoria to claim the three-wrestler 120 class.

Meneweather (33-7) pinned Pekin's Jordan Bowman midway through the second period to earn the 132 championship.

He needed just 21 seconds in the semifinals to pin Wyatt Carey of Limestone.

Washington had an athlete in the top four in 13-of-14 divisions.

Ethan Reel (24-13), Lane Weaver (18-5), Kyle Stratton (13-19) and Jake Godinez (20-16) all placed second.

Reel knocked off East Peoria's Phoenix Stuart in the 106 semifinals.

Weaver's pin of Metamora's Lucas Munter elevated him into the 126 final.

During a 2-1 outing in 170, Stratton pinned Andrew Michel of Morton and Canton's Drew Lee in two straight contests.

Godinez pinned Morton's Joe Geiger at 5:04 in the 195 semifinals.

Finishing third for the Panthers were Anthony DeMito (160, 10-10) and Steeler Trout (285, 13-17).

Aaron Strubhar (152) was fourth for Washington.

Metamora rose from fifth place after the dual season to third overall with a 110-point tournament showing.

Postseason: Washington is part of the nine-team Class 2A Morton Regional Saturday. Action begins at 9 a.m.

The top-three individuals in each weight class will advance to the Feb. 8-9 Rochelle Sectional.

The first-place team will proceed to the Feb. 19 Rochelle Dual Team Sectional.