Jerseyville – For Jersey Panthers wrestlers Maddox Williams and Nicholas Hartley, the state finals won’t be new territory. Both qualified last season, but this year their goals are higher.
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Williams and Hartley did not place at state last year, each finishing 1–2. This season, both say their main objective is to earn a spot on the podium.
“It feels great to go to state this year,” Hartley said. “It feels nice knowing I belong there this year. Last year, I got fourth place at sectionals, and when I got to state I told myself I didn’t belong. So it feels good to have a confidence boost going into it. I went 31–4 in the regular season.”
Both wrestlers placed third at the Granite City Sectional on Saturday to punch their tickets to state. Williams earned a 14–3 major decision over Braxton McCall of Mascoutah, while Hartley won by technical fall over Trae Griffiths of Champaign Central in 2:20 (19–4).
“It means a lot to go back to state this year,” Williams said. “Last year I went 1–2, and hopefully I can get a better record and place this year.”
Jersey freshman Bo Allison and senior Hunter Hodge came up short of advancing to the state finals.
“It’s a good thing for our program, and it’s great for these two wrestlers,” Jersey head coach Frank Speidel said. “They put a lot of work in. Hodge had some personal setbacks this year, and to make it this far was huge for him.”
