The Pontiac Junior High Wrestling Team sent 3 grapplers to the 2025 IESA State Tournament this weekend, and all three Warriors came home with medals and All-State honors.
At 70 lbs., Leo Voigts started the tournament on Friday with an 18-0 win over Cody Loy of Lawrenceville. In his quarterfinal match, Leo lost to the eventual State Champion Brantley Green of Sandwich. On Saturday, Leo won four straight matches. He pinned Grayson Short of Litchfield in :49 seconds, then beat Tristan Sloan of Port Byron 15-1. In the semi-final wrestlebacks he beat Ryland Toler of Reed-Custer 8-0 to advance to the third place match. In that match, Leo beat Kade Roeder of Aledo 10-0 to secure 3rd Place.
At 112 lbs., Jack Voigts cruised through Friday with an 8-3 win over Xavier Garcia of Prospect Heights and a 10-0 win over Max Hessler of Orion. This set up a match in the semifinals with Eli Modglin of Morrison. In that match, Jack lost 16-0 and fell to the wrestle-backs. Modglin went on to win the State Title. In the wrestle-backs Jack was paired up again with his first round opponent, Xavier Garcia of Prospect Heights. Jack beat Garcia again, this time with an 11-6 victory and a spot in the third place match. In that match, Jack lost a very close match 5-3 to bring home 4th Place.
At 126 lbs., Braden Opperman plowed through his opponents winning easily on Friday with a pin in 3:08 against Brantley Crumly of Petersburg Porta, and a quarterfinal win against Nathan Flores of Mt. Prospect, 13-0. On Saturday, Braden faced off against Carter Wix of Coal City in the semifinal match. Braden controlled the match before pinning Wix in 3:49, thus advancing to the championship match. After the Parade of Champions, Braden faced off against Jordan Miller of Rock Island Jordan Catholic. Braden took a 1-0 lead going into the 3rd period before a late takedown by Miller and a pin with 6 seconds left in the match ended his bid for the State title. Braden brings home the silver medal, finish 2nd in State.
Thanks to Coach Josh Rupprecht for a fine season. All three wrestlers had a great weekend and we are very proud that they all placed in State. Congratulations Leo, Jack, and Braden. You represented Pontiac Junior High in glorious fashion.