Washington and Canton wrestling advance to 2023 IHSA dual-team state finals
Eight is great for Washington.
The Panthers wrestling program will make its eighth appearance in the Class 2A dual-team state finals since 2014 after a 48-15 win over Crystal Lake Central on Tuesday at the Sycamore Sectional.
Washington now faces Mahomet-Seymour at 5 p.m. Friday in the state quarterfinals at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.
IHSA boys wrestling state finals 2023: Peoria-area matches, schedules and complete results
Individual state champions Kannon Webster (145 pounds) and Justin Hoffer (220 pounds) each won their matches as Crystal Lake managed just three victories. Webster's victory came in the form of a 46-second fall, while Hoffer grinded out a 4-2 decision.
Blake Hinrichsen (182 pounds) and Peyton Cox (138 pounds), who were both individual state runner-ups, also posted wins. Hinrichsen came via fall in 4:36 with Cox posting a 15-0 tech fall. State medalists Wyatt Medlin (126 pounds) and Josh Hoffer (195 pounds) also posted wins by decision.
Washington, which just missed the state finals last season, has six state trophies from 2015-2020 including a run of four consecutive state championships from 2016-19.
Canton advances to first Class 1A state finals
Canton secured the program's first state finals berth with a 57-24 win over Kewanee at the Class 1A El Paso-Gridley Sectional. The Little Giants advance to 7 p.m. Friday state quarterfinal, facing Lena Winslow-Stockton at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.
Mid-Illini gold standard: Washington, Canton wrestlers lead IHSA title haul
Ten Canton wrestlers grabbed victories highlighted by seven pins including a 21-second fall from 170-pounder Joseph Norton, who won a 1A individual state championship on Saturday. Heavyweight Asa Reed (25-second pin) and 126-pounder Trevor Hedges (26-second pin) both added sub-30-second falls.
Host El Paso-Gridley ended its season with a 46-27 loss to Heart of Illinois Conference foe Le Roy in the other sectional match.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Washington, Canton makes IHSA wrestling state quarterfinals
