Leo senior Nick Armour’s hopes of ending his high school wrestling career with a state championship ended in disappointment Thursday when he was injured in his first-round heavyweight match and taken to a Champaign-area hospital. After an examination, Nick was unable to continue.
Appearing in the IHSA Class 1-A state meet at the University of Illinois’ State Farm Center for the second consecutive year, Nick was leading Jaylen Torres of Wheaton-St. Francis on points when Torres was disqualified for using an illegal move – a variation of the body slam. Stunned and sore in the neck and shoulder area, Nick remained on the mat for several minutes. He was removed on an immobilization board as a precaution, then taken to the hospital.
He was released after an examination and a shot to dull the pain, but after consulting with doctors, Nick and his family decided it was best he not continue. His scheduled second-round opponent, undefeated (36-0) Connor Williams of Canton, advanced to the quarterfinals via forfeit/injury.
Nick finishes his senior season with an impressive 32-8 record. He also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and was an all-conference defensive lineman for the Leo football team during an achievement-filled senior year.
And he might not be done as a state-level competitor. Nick is a shot-putter/discus thrower for the Leo track team and has hopes of replicating the state-meet trip he qualified for as a sophomore.