It’s championship weekend for the Coalers as nine middle school wrestlers are seeking a spot on the podium at the Illinois Elementary School Association [IESA] State Finals.
Max Christensen, Ryder Gill and Dominic Zuccarello earned their spot in the state tournament with sectional wins last weekend at Deerfield.
The top four placers at the sectional advance to take the mat at the state finals. Joining the three sectional champs in DeKalb will be Eli Wix, Brantley Brooks, Phoenix Senodenos, Carter Wix, Gavin Roudis and Cody Kozlowski.
The first round of the 43rd annual state tournament gets underway at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 7 with the championship matches set for Saturday evening.
Leading the wrestlers into the championship matches will be former Coal City Middle School wrestling coach Branden Petersen, who has been selected by the IESA as one of two grand marshals for the state tournament.
Peterson, who teaches physical education at Coal City Early Childhood Center, coached the middle school team for 19 years before stepping down at the close of the 2023 season. During his tenure, Petersen racked up numerous regional and sectional titles, placed at state six times including two championships—2019 and 2022. Under his leadership, the school had 155 state qualifiers, 75 state placers and 18 state champions.
Peterson’s selection as a grand marshal is based on nominations by the IESA Wrestling Advisoy Committee and approved by the IESA Board of Directors.