One of only two area champions from the rugged Class 3A sectional at Lincoln-Way Central -- Alton's Taylor McGiffen was the other -- Whitford battled his way to a 13-9 title-match decision over Nick DiNardo of Plainfield North to win the 152-pound crown Saturday, earning his first trip to statet. A four-year varsity wrestler, Whitford (35-10) will be joined in Champaign by the other Warrior senior captains, Justin Valencia (160 pounds) and Josh Dowdy (170).
Send nominations and head shots by 6 p.m. Sunday to pkopsky@stltoday.com.



