CHAMPAIGN, Ill. • Cole Wysocki of Triad needed a little time to process the scene at the Illinois state wrestling championships Thursday at Assembly Hall.
"The size of this dome leaves me flabbergasted. I was amazed," the 106-pounder said. "Being down there and wrestling my first match, I'm really excited to be here. I was so nervous."
Wysocki (45-2) got over the jitters in time to post an impressive 11-0 major decision in his Class 2A match against Briley Schultz of Antioch. Wysocki took control of his match in the second period after a scoreless first period.
The Triad wrestler said he felt he was developing some rhythm as he moved through his match with Schultz.
"I don't think I'd consider myself a veteran yet, but I hope to be on my way there," he said. "Things just started flowing together. I just went from one move to the next."
Following are notes from other area winners on Thursday:
Michael Harris (126 pounds), Althoff, a 13-5 winner against Logan Snyder of Mercer County: "A little bit concerned" after a slow start, Harris relaxed after hitting Snyder with a reversal and a near-pin. "I felt a lot better (getting a bigger lead). It makes you more relaxed instead of getting tense." ... Harris is back in gear after missing six weeks early in the season with a separated shoulder.
Tyler Floyd (160), Roxana, a 5-2 winner against Brandon Sklavantis of Oregon: "I think I can wrestle better than I did," he said. "I'm excited, it's the farthest I've ever made." ... Floyd said scoring early set the tone in his win. "If you get the early lead, you ride a kid out ... you break his will."
Kameron Harris (182), Althoff, a 9-2 winner against Sam Donovan of Olympia: Harris never felt safe in his preliminary round win. "I was kind of in a danger zone," he said. "Six minutes is like the longest six minutes in your life. You've got to stay on your toes and be ready at all time."
Kevin Roper (182), Carlyle, pinned Brendan Butler of Illinois Valley Central in 2:53: Sometimes things come together better - far better - than you expect. That's what happened for Roper. "I didn't expect that," he said. "I didn't expect to pin him with that (move)."
David Pearce (126), Civic Memorial pinned Sam Karim of Ridgewood in 4:22: "I'm good to go now," he said. "I got the fall, that's what I was looking for. It helps to get a fall. We're at state now, it's do or die. ... I've got two more (matches) tomorrow, one the next day and I'll be out of here with a bracketboard (signifying a state champion). That's my plan. I want it so bad, it's unbelieveable."
Lavion Mayes (145), Mascoutah, a 6-3 winner against Jimmy Brennan of Lemont: "I could have done better, but a win's a win. I'll just take it like that," he said. "It was, in essence, my warmup (match) for the day."
Jake Tindle (170), Triad a 4-2 winner against Steve Pozeg of Yorkville: "Honestly, I'm not very happy with (winning)," he said. "I probably should have cut him (loose) and taken him down." ... Tindle improved to 46-1 with his victory.
Mech Spraggins (126), Belleville West, 3-2 winner against Sean Murray of Wheaton North: I was real tired," he said. "I'm trying to keep my weight down, and I don't have that much energy. That was a tough match."
