OREGON — The Oregon High School varsity wrestling team advanced three wrestlers out of the IHSA 1A Oregon Sectional over the weekend. Nelson Benesh, Isaiah Perez and Josiah Perez have each qualified to compete in the IHSA State Championship meet in Champaign.
Josiah Perez (37-9) finished fourth at 113 pounds during the sectional tournament. Perez earned a fall over North Boone’s Drew Patel and a 23-6 technical fall over St. Bede’s Michael Benge during the quarterfinal round. After a loss in the semifinals, Perez clinched a spot in the state tournament with a 12-2 major decision over Kewanee’s Tyson Currie in the wrestlebacks.
Isaiah Perez (37-9) finished fourth at 120 pounds during the sectional tournament. A regional champion, Perez reached the semifinals after a fall over Ottawa Marquette’s Koby Clark in the quarterfinals. After a loss in the semifinal round, Perez earned a state berth with an 8-2 decision over North Boone’s Gabe Marella in the semifinal round of the consolation side of the bracket.
Nelson Benesh (40-8) finished fourth at 132 pounds during the sectional tournament. Benesh earned a first-round bye as a regional champion and scored an 11-5 decision over Sterling Newman’s Landon Blanton in the quarterfinals. After a semifinal-round loss, Benesh sealed a state tournament bid with a first-period fall over Sandwich’s Colten Stone in the wrestlebacks.
Oregon had 12 athletes wrestling in the sectional tournament. Ethan Mowry (30-14) finished as an alternate at 157 pounds, while Andrew Young (25-8) finished as an alternate at 175 pounds. Preston LaBay (28-7), Levi Benton (20-6) and Jackson Messenger (33-16) each reached the third round of the consolation wrestlebacks. Jordan Lowe (27-17), Jayden Berry (21-18), Seth Rote (14-13) and Briggs Sellers (31-17) all bowed out in the second round of wrestlebacks.
