Foster wins sectional title, among 7 Mattoon wrestlers headed to state meet

Mattoon’s Brady Foster took first place in an unofficial sectional wrestling meet Saturday to advance to the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association state tournament.

The Illinois High School Association did not sanction a state wrestling tournament this year so the IWCOA organized a statewide event that included the Class 2A sectional in Mahomet.

Foster, who had advanced to last year’s IHSA state tournament, pinned Lincoln’s Steven Walters in 43 seconds and then took down Mahomet’s Caden Hatton in 2 minutes, 43 seconds leading to the title match where he faced super regional champ Andrew Davis of Glenwood.

Foster took control early in the first period with a takedown to go ahead 2-0. The Mattoon senior later recorded another takedown to go ahead 4-0 before holding off the state’s No. 3 ranked wrestler to win the 106-pound title. Foster entered the match ranked fourth.

Foster is among seven Mattoon wrestlers headed to the state tournament who include Miles Clapp (126), Mick Porter (138), Aidan Blackburn (145), Kiefer Duncan (152), Kyus Root (182) and Leo Meyer (195).

Root pinned a Mt. Vernon wrestler in 3:19 to take third place in his weight category while Duncan edged a Mahomet wrestler 3-2 to also finish third.

The state meet begins Thursday morning at the Springfield Convention Center.

TEAM RESULTS