Wrestlers finalize perfect league season

Washington accomplished something Saturday it has never done in the 28-year history of the Mid-Illini Conference.

The Panthers won their first wrestling championship with a title in the league tournament, completing a perfect 2009-10 season.

“Hopefully, it will be one of a few we’re going to get,” WCHS head coach Bryan Medlin said. “This first one will be special to me.”

Washington’s 157.5 points in Dawson Hawkins Gymnasium, which included three individual crowns, topped host Pekin by 16.

Combined with a 6-0 dual record, the Panthers accumulated 16.5 points for the season. The defending champion Dragons were second with 14.

Even though Washington needed only a second-place finish in the seven-team finale to collect first overall, the athletes wanted to leave no doubts who was the best this winter.

“We were trying to reinforce the fact that it was another tournament we want to improve,” said Medlin.

Brandon Rice, Dylan Reel and Dan Massengill all were first-place winners for the Panthers.

They will receive first-team all-conference accolades.

Rice, a junior, repeated his title in 125 pounds.

In the semifinals, Rice dispatched Max Burling of Pekin with a 7-3 decision.

A 3-2 win in the finals over Canton’s Chase Holloway lifted Rice (30-5) to the top.

Reel, a sophomore, moved up from 145 to 160 for his second league championship in a row.

Reel pinned Metamora’s Kyle Harper in just 56 seconds to reach the last bout.

An 18-3 technical fall against Boston Jacobs of Pekin completed the journey for Reel (37-1).

“That shows a lot of improvement on his part,” said Medlin of Reel’s decisive win against the formidable Jacobs.

Massengill (27-9) was the overwhelming leader of the 171 bracket.

The junior pinned Lance Haines of Canton seconds before the third period expired, then recorded a 20-2 tech fall in the final vs. Limestone’s Jake Yost.

“Massengill wrestled really well,” Medlin said of the championship-round performance.

Freshman Colton Gladwell and sophomore Mason Wright were runners-up for Washington.

Gladwell (23-7) was second in 130, Wright (24-4) in 152. Both lost to Dragon wrestlers.

Medlin said he was very pleased with the Panthers’ 6-0 record in third-place matches.

“Everyone came back and got third,” said Medlin. “They didn’t have any motivation except for the team.”

Washington grapplers also ending their day with victories were: Travis Rice, Austin Wileman, Derek McIntosh, Jake Lamb, Trevor Craig and Cody Stewart.

Pekin and third-place Morton had three first-place wrestlers as well.

Postseason: The Panthers are the host Saturday of the nine-team Class 2A Washington Regional.

“Now we really have to be focused on getting each individual to the next level,” said Medlin.

Washington is aiming for the first regional title in school history.

The field consists of the five M-I members in 2A, plus Peoria schools Notre Dame, Richwoods, Woodruff and Central.

“I’m expecting this regional to be pretty tough,” Medlin said.

Session I is set for 10 a.m. with Session II to follow at 2:30 p.m.

The top three individuals advance to the Feb. 12-13 Sterling Sectional.

The regional champion team moves on to the Feb. 23 Geneseo Sectional.