The Edwardsville High wrestling team has relied on its depth and balance to put together a highly successful season. But all that is forgotten now.
The Tigers, like all other Metro East wrestling squads, will begin their push to state with regional tournament action Saturday.
“It's a new season, no doubt about it,'' Edwardsville coach Jon Wagner said. “One minute you're congratulating them for winning the Southwestern Conference and the next you're telling them to move on and get back to work. Our regional is about as solid and deep as I can remember it _ Granite City, Alton, Belleville West, everybody has some top kids _ and that should make for a real interesting day of wrestling.
“The goal at this point is to advance as many guys as possible and to hopefully win the regional. To accomplish that, the approach is the same as it's been all season: cross the line ready to compete with everything you've got.''
Edwardsville will host the local Class 3 event while area Class 2A squads will compete at Centralia and at Chatham-Glenwood. Althoff is the site of the local Class 1A tournament, although Red Bud and Sparta will travel to the regional at West Frankfort.
The top three finishers in each weight class Saturday will advance to sectionals Feb. 10-11 at Lincoln-Way Central in Class 3A, at Mt. Zion in Class 2A and at Robinson in Class 1A. From sectionals, the top four finishers in each eight class will move on to the state tournament Feb. 16-18 at Assembly Hall in Champaign.
“At this point, I think it's important to stay focused on one step at a time,'' Wagner said. “We're solid up and down the lineup, but we don't have a lot of 'so-called' superstars. ThIf each of our guys can focus on doing what he needs to do, we'll be fine.''
The regional at Edwardsville includes a pair of local returning state medalists in two-time runner-up Mech Spraggins of Belleville West and Alton's Taylor McGiffen, who placed third at 189 a year ago.
Defending champion Cahokia figures to be challenged by Triad and East St. Louis for the regional title at Centralia. That tournament includes three past state medalists, Jake Tindle and Kyle Graumenz of Triad and Mascoutah's Lavion Mayes.
Two-time state runner-up David Pearce of Civic Memorial will be among the top competitors in Chatham.
Litchfield is expected to repeat as regional champion at Althoff.
“They have a full lineup, which is something not a lot of us in Class 1A can say,'' Althoff coach Dave Harris said. “We're missing some guys _ we've had some trouble with concussions this season _ but we'll go out and we'll do the best we can.''
The postseason in Missouri begins with district tournaments Feb. 10-11. The top four finishers in each weight class in districts will advance to state Feb. 16-18 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.
EUREKA WRAPS UP TITLE
With an action-packed 36-22 victory over visiting Northwest in dual action Wednesday night, Eureka won the Suburban West Conference championship.
“This is a dual we've both been pointing toward since last year,'' Eureka coach Tim Yancey said, noting that the team's 2011 dual was snowed out.
Ron Wilhelm, who coaches Northwest along with his twin brother Bob, agreed: “Over the years, we've had some great duals with Eureka and this was no different. I'd like to say it was a fluke, but (Eureka) wrestled well and beat us at all three levels. Hats off to Eureka, they're very, very solid.''
The conference road loss was the first in nine seasons for the Lions, who saw their home league winning streak snapped by Lafayette in 2010. Over the last 10 seasons, the Lions have gone 92-2 in conference duals.
“That's something we've always taken a lot of pride in,'' Ron Wilhelm said. “But I've always believed that you learn more from a loss than a win, so the key now is to take something positive from this.''
Both Eureka and Northwest will compete in the Class 4 District 1 tournament at Lindbergh on Feb. 10-11.
WEEKEND FINALES
With the regular season winding down, a number of the area's best will compete one more time in a pair of local events Saturday....
• The Francis Howell Central Tournament also includes Howell, Fort Zumwalt West, Holt, Hannibal, Kirkwood, Lafayette, Lindbergh, Parkway North and Parkway South.
• The Seckman Tournament will also include Affton, Chaminade, CBC, Summit, St. Charles, St. Charles West, Washington, Mehlville and Ritenour.
