Punkes Taking a Family Vacation to Champaign

Photo by RON JOHNSON/JOURNAL STAR

Washington Sectional Semifinals Broadcast Replay
Washington Sectional Finals Broadcast Replay

By JARED BELL
Illinois Matmen

WASHINGTON — The Punke brothers are headed to state.

All four of them.

In front of the home crowd at Saturday’s Class 2A Washington Sectional, the 113-pound junior Dack, the 138-pound sophomore Blaize, the 160-pound senior Ryder and the 195-pound freshman Jace all qualified for next weekend’s IHSA State Tournament.

“We’ve been dreaming about this for years — all four of us down at state, warming up together in the tunnel,” Dack said. “Now it’s a reality, and I can’t wait to go down there with all my brothers.”

The Punkes were four of 11 state qualifiers for Washington, which is ranked No. 1 in Class 2A.

On their home mats on Saturday, the Panthers won five sectional titles and had two second-place finishers, but the Punkes highlighted the day.

The junior Dack and senior Ryder led the way as each won sectional titles.

Dack cruised through the 113-pound bracket as he won by a 10-0 major decision in the final, while Ryder won his first career sectional title as the 160-pounder won by back-to-back 4-2 decisions in the semifinals and title match.

The sophomore Blaize finished second at 138 pounds, while the freshman Jace placed fourth at 195 pounds.

“We’ve been waiting for this since we’ve been little kids,” Ryder said. “We knew coming into high school that my senior year we would all be on the same team, so having us do as well as we have is just a blessing.”

The Punkes were far from the only Panther wrestlers to shine on Saturday.

In addition to titles from Dack and Ryder Punke, senior Dylan Thurston won the 132-pound title, senior Randy Meneweather won the 170-pound title and 182-pound junior Jacob Warner prevailed at 182 pounds.

“Last year, we brought down 10 (to state) and this year we’re bringing down 11, so it’s going to be a fun experience,” Dack said. “Last year was great, but this year is going to be even better.”

Fourth Time the Charm

Geneseo senior Hunter Grau has accomplished a lot in his four years in high school.

The 145-pounder has won conference titles, regional titles and even a state title.

On Saturday, however, Grau earned the one thing he was missing — a sectional title.

Grau — who won last year’s 2A 138-pound state title — rolled through his bracket Saturday and claimed his first sectional with a 24-9 technical fall over Washington’s Ethan Reel in the championship.

“I’m a four-time sectional finalist, but this is my first sectional title and it feels great,” Grau said. “But the big test is next week and the state title run.”

Grau, who gained state-wide notoriety last week when he gave his regional title medal to a child with Down syndrome, intends to keep his first and only sectional champion medal to complete his collection.

Grau was one of three Geneseo wrestlers who won a sectional as senior Justin Scott was victorious at 195 pounds, while junior Zach Humphrey won the 220-pound title.

Claiming Crowns

Many other wrestlers excelled with sectional titles on Saturday.

Peoria Notre Dame senior Dom Tudor continue to roll as he won at 285 pounds, while Burlington Central sophomore Austin Macias prevailed in the loaded 120-pound weight class.

Kaneland junior Austin Kedzie won a difficult 106-pound weight class, while Hampshire senior Wylie Allen prevailed in the tough 152-pound weight class.

Bloomington sophomore Savion Haywood won the 126-pound weight class, while Morton sophomore Mikie Hartnett was victorious at 138 pounds.

Jared Bell can be reached at (815) 220-6938. Follow him on Twitter @NT_SportsJared.