Charleston wrestling keep improving, takes 4 matches in 2 days

Charleston coach Mike Stanley sees improvement in his young wrestling team.

The Trojans defeated Effingham on Tuesday night, 39-27, after having lost to the Hearts earlier this season.

“That shows some improvement right there,” Stanley said. “You can even see it in practice that they’re working to get better and that they want to win. “

The Trojans also beat Taylorville on Tuesday, 36-29.

Charleston posted two more team wins Wednesday night at home, rolling past Oblong, 48-18, and St. Thomas More, 54-12, before losing to Cumberland, 42-30.

Charleston’s Stormy Hughes wrestles against St. Thomas More in the 285-pound weight class Wednesday evening.
Charleston’s Maddie Bryant wrestles against Cumberland in a 113-pound weight class exhibtion match Wednesday evening.
Charleston’s Jose Wiley wrestles against Oblong in the 170-pound weight class Wednesday evening.
Charleston’s Isaiah Lutrell wrestles against Oblong’s Mason Correll in the 106-pound weight class Wednesday evening.
Charleston’s Chet Shrader wrestles against St .Thomas More in the 152-pound weight class Wednesday evening.
Charleston’s Ben Coffey talks to Coach Mike Stanley during a medical timeout of his exhibtion match against Oblong Wednesday evening.
Charleston’s Alec Sellers wrestles against Cumberland in the 160-pound weight class Wednesday evening.

Josh Wiley, one of the few seniors on the team, won two of this three matches Wednesday, pinning an Oblong wrestler in 3 minutes, 2 seconds, and winning another by forfeit. He had also pinned his Effingham opponent on Tuesday.

“He’s solid,” Stanley said. “You can see his experience out there.”

Alec Sellers, a junior, pinned his Cumberland opponent in 3:05 and won twice by forfeit Wednesday.

“He just drives and wrestles all three periods and keeps moving,” Stanley said. “Regardless what the score is, he’s got heart. A lot of our other wrestlers can take a lot from him.”

And freshman Stormy Hughes continued to shake off the wildness evident earlier this season by pinning his Effingham opponent in 1:19 Tuesday and going 2-1 on Wednesday. Hughes pinned his St. Thomas More opponent in 1:27, won by forfeit and then lost in 1:39 to a Cumberland wrestler.

“He’s got so much potential,” Stanley said. “A freshman wrestling 285 (pounds) isn’t easy for anybody. He’s got a good feel. He comes out that first step a little too hard sometimes. Once he learns to settle his hips back and just work the balances, and let things come and figure out what’s in front of him, he’s going to jump levels.”

Stanley said getting in as many matches as possible is essential.

“When get into the matches in a real wrestling setting, it gets you to a higher level,” Stanley said. “It’s what makes you improve.”

WEDNESDAY TEAM RESULTS

Charleston 48, Oblong 18

Charleston 54, St Thomas More 12

Cumberland 42, Charleston 30

TUESDAY RESULTS

Charleston 39, Effingham 27

106 Stewart (Eff) def Isaiah Lutrell (CHS) by pin 2:28

113 Maddie Bryant (CHS) wins by forfeit

120 Double forfeit

126 Printz (Eff) wins by forfeit