Individual titles in six weight classes helped the Lions accumulate 145.5 points, good for a first-place finish in the IHSA Class-A Regional held at Harlan High School on Saturday, Feb. 3. Three other top-three finishers will join the six regional champions in sectional competition at Hope Academy on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 9-10.
An upgrade to the wrestling program was Leo’s stated goal when two-time Olympian Michial Foy was hired as the school’s wrestling coach last August. After just one season under the leadership of Foy and assistant coach Michael Anderson, that goal seems on its way to fruition.
Junior DeVale Alsup (106 pounds), senior James Foy (138), junior Kyle Hickmon (145), junior Jalen Harris (170), freshman Jerelle Jones (220) and senior Khalil Miller (285) won individual regional championships for the Lions. Sophomore Jordan Anderson and junior Do’ron Gee will advance as runners-up at 152 and 182 pounds, respectively, as will senior Cassius Kurns, third-place finisher at 160 pounds.
The state finals will be held at State Farm Center on the University of Illinois campus Feb. 15-17.
Congratulations to all the wrestling Lions.