Expectations will be high for Green Wave wrestling

A lot of talent leaves but a lot of talent returns.

The Mattoon High School wrestling team lost four champion wrestlers, but head coach Brett Porter has equally high expectations with a team that featured six total state qualifiers and three All-State finishes last season.

Gone from last year’s team are Kiefer Duncan, who finished the year 43-3 and placed third in the 145-pound weight class, long with Brady Foster and Aidan Spurgeon, who both fell one match shy of finishing with a medal at the State Finals. Foster had been both a regional and sectional champion at 113 pounds while Spurgeon captured a regional title at 195 pounds. Mick Porter, a regional champion at 138 pounds, has also graduated.

“Mattoon wrestling will have many new faces on the varsity team,” said Porter. “They will have big shoes to fill with Brady Foster, Kiefer Duncan, Aidan Spurgeon, and Mick Porter graduating after last season. With the 2022 season ending with a total of six state qualifiers and three able to win medals, expectations are high for our squad.”

The Green Wave return two all-state wrestlers.

Korbin Bateman, a junior, went 36-6 and finished fourth in the 126-pound weight class at state after having captured regional and sectional titles.

Leo Meyer, 35-11 last season at 220 pounds, won a regional title and finished sixth at the IHSA State tournament.

Aidan Blackburn (33-13) returns from qualifying for state as a sophomore. His four pins tied for the most by an individual wrestler in the IHSA Sectional.

Sophomore Ben Capitosti (22-13) recorded more than 20 wins last season and earned All-State status at the Freshman/Sophomore Championships, while Logan Blackburn (13-4), Kael Alexander (11-17) and Miles Clapp are also returning varsity contributors.

“Logan returns after recovering from a season-ending injury,” said Porter. “Ben Capitosti looks to make it to the next level. “

Seniors Jason Skocy and TJ Owens return after not having competed for several years.

Last season was the third time in the past four seasons that Mattoon had multiple Green Wave wrestler medal at state. With a strong core in place, Mattoon looks to push Mahomet-Seymour for the Apollo Conference title and make a run at a Regional Championship after having placed second last season despite not having wrestlers for each weight division.

“As a team, goals have been set to compete for an Apollo Championship and qualify at least four individuals to the IHSA State Championships in Champaign,” said Porter.

Porter will be assisted by Devin Patterson.

Potential Varsity Lineup

106: Korbin Cassady

113: Tristan Porter

120: Logan Blackburn (13-4)

126: Korbin Bateman (36-6)

132: Ben Capitosti (22-13)

138: Miles Clapp

145: Aidan Blackburn (33-13)

152: Ean Freeman

160: Jason Skocy

170: Camden Jordan