CHAMPAIGN – For the Civic Memorial Eagle Wrestling Team Saturday could lead to two state champions in Champaign at the IHSA State Wrestling Tournament. But Bryce Griffin and Abe Wojcikiewicz will have to battle to earn them titles.
For Griffin he started the tournament with a pin over Nicholas Asllani of Carmel. Griffin pinned Asllani in 1:38. In the second round he faced Hunter Daniel of Oak Forest and was able to get a quick pin in just 48 seconds to move onto the semifinals.
In the semifinals Griffin battled and was able to get the win and move onto the championship with a 6-5 decision over Caleb Nobilling of Antioch. But Griffin will have a tough opponent when he faces 49-0 Kannon Webster of Washington who won a state championship last year.
” It was a little tighter match then I would like but it is state and it’s just about the win and move on. This has been my dream forever to win state, I’ve never even made it to the finals so I’m happy to be here.” Bryce Griffin said.
For Wokcikiewicz he went through the bracket with ease. In Wokcikiewicz first match he was able to get a 17-2 techfall over Alec Miller at the 3:20 mark. In his second match he set the class 2A 170-pound record with the fastest tech fall. He beat Amare Overton in 1:58 16-0. to advance to the semifinals. In the semifinals he made quick work and pinned Cayden Parks in 1:02. Abe will now wrestle in the championship against Blake Hinrichsen of Washington.
“I’m looking to dominate my whole bracket but I have a very tough opponent tomorrow but I like to set the bar high so I can keep myself on my toes.” Wokcikiewicz.
Bradley Ruckman of CM was aiming to make it to the championship also but was beat by a very tough opponent. Gavin Rockey won a close 3-1 over Ruckman to advance to the championship. But it’s not over yet for Ruckman. Ruckman will place on the podium tomorrow.
