East Peoria lost by the narrowest of margins, but also won in a landslide Jan. 19.
The Illinois Valley Central wrestling team knocked off the Raiders, 37-36, but Mendota was no match for East Peoria in a 71-12 final in Chillicothe.
The Trojans left most of the weight classes vacant.
Among the contested matches, East Peoria’s Jeremy Gumm, Luc Joseph and Nate Joseph all won.
Gumm (145 pounds) and Luc Joseph (189) pinned their foe in the second period.
Nate Joseph scored points in bunches in a 25-10 technical fall in 215.
Raiders Austin Harper, Courtney Clark, Austin McGraugh, Cody Largent, Lindsay Clark, Jesus Rivera, Nick Philyaw, Kade McDonald and Billy Newport all received forfeits.
East Peoria swept the three heaviest divisions against IVC.
Luc Joseph earned a 17-2 tech fall, Newport a 6-1 decision and Nate Joseph a forfeit.
In the lower weights, Largent recorded a pin, McGraugh a 14-5 major decision and Rivera was handed a forfeit.
Gumm pinned a Grey Ghost midway through the second period.
The former Mid-Illini Conference foes evenly split the 14 bouts.
Morton 34, EP 33
The Raiders lost to the host Potters Thursday in a make-up match to complete the Mid-Illini Conference dual season.
East Peoria is 2-4, tied with Canton for fifth place, heading into the seven-team M-I tournament.
The clash with Morton actually was tied, but the Potters prevailed using the first takedown criteria.
Largent got the Raiders’ first win of the evening with a 10-4 decision in 125. Gumm won by the same margin, 7-1, in 140.
Conrad Bray and Philyaw posted back-to-back victories in 152 and 160 with the latter wrestler producing a first-period pin.
The string of pins continued through 215 as McDonald, Luc Joseph and Nate Joseph all pushed aside their Potter counterparts.
Conference: The Mid-Illini Conference tournament is set for 10 a.m. Saturday. Pekin is this year’s host.
East Peoria has an opportunity to improve its standing with five teams bunched between 4-2 and 2-4.
“For our kids, this is going to be a lot of individual success,” EPCHS head coach Phil Johns said. “As a team, we will do the best we can.”
With five of the league teams also in the Class 2A Washington Regional Feb. 6, Raider wrestlers have a chance to improve their seeds for the postseason.
“In essence, the conference, regional, sectional and state meets are for individual gratification,” Johns said.
State rankings: One Raider held his spot and one moved up from the previous poll in the Illinois Matmen individual rankings for Jan. 20.
Joseph stayed fourth in 215, while Largent moved up to No. 10 in 119 from 12th in 125 in the Jan. 13 edition.
East Peoria, Ill. —
