THS Rusher, Blue advance to IHSA Wrestling Sectionals
Lucas Domonousky
Breeze-Courier Sports Editor
JACKSONVILLE — The Taylorville wrestling team traveled to Jacksonville to participate in the 2022 IHSA 1A Regionals. Senior Gage Rusher and junior William Blue both were selected for the number one seed for their respected weight class.
“They both showed up ready to prove to everybody why they’ve been in the rankings all year.” Head Coach Jake Smothers commented on the two top Tornadoes. “I couldn’t be more proud of either one.”
Both Rusher and Blue have approached every weight and diet training, practice and meet with the same hard work mentality at every turn.
Rusher now sits just one win away (99) from his previous set goal of 100 wins for his high school tenure. His chance to reach his goal will send him to the IHSA State Championship in Champaign.
“These two guys have been monumental in keeping our program alive.” Smothers states. “Making the sacrifices necessary to prove to the rest of the state the level of wrestling we have become accustomed to here in Taylorville.”
Sectionals will be held this Friday and Saturday in Vandalia. Both THS wrestlers again have first round byes but will face off in quarter-finals in the second round on Friday night. Both need just two wins to advance to State. First match of Sectionals will begin at 5pm.
