Three Spartans to compete at IHSA State Tournament
By Fred Kroner
Sectional champion Holden Brazelton (132 pounds) and two St. Joseph-Ogden teammates secured berths in the Class 1A boys’ wrestling state tournament by virtue of their performances at the Stanford Olympia Sectional on Saturday (Feb. 10).
Brazelton (45-1) extended his winning streak to 30 matches by beating all three sectional foes. He pinned his way to the finals, including a quarterfinal-round pin in 1:30, and then dominated his title-match opponent, posting a 15-0 technical fall victory.
Emmitt Holt (106 pounds) had his 35-match winning streak snapped in the finals when he suffered a 1-0 setback. To reach the finals, Holt (37-2) produced a pin in 1:07 and followed with an 8-1 semifinal triumph.
The third SJ-O state-qualifier is sophomore Coy Hayes (150 pounds). After losing in the first round, Hayes won three consecutive wrestleback bouts – each of which would have ended his season had he lost – and he placed fourth.
Hayes (29-8) had wins by pin in 3:09, by decision 10-7 and by pin in 5:00 before falling in the third-place match, 5-1.
The state tournament at the UI State Farm Center will start on Thursday (Feb. 15).
