Cardinal, Pekin, Van Buren sending wrestlers to state

Two to represent Pekin at state

EDDYVILLE ? Pekin junior Thomas Slaney and senior Aaron King are still standing as the high school wrestling field continues to narrow.

Slaney was crowned champion at 182 pounds and King took second at 120 during Saturday?s district meet in Eddyville. Both Panthers have qualified for the state tournament beginning Thursday.

Slaney, who claimed the sectional title one week ago, pinned two opponents on his way to topping the field. The junior is a first-time state qualifier.

?Thomas was focused. You could just see it in his eyes in the morning,? said Pekin head coach Al Chapman. ?This is the second year in a row he hasn?t missed a practice, so he?s a great example for the younger teammates to follow.?

King rebounded from a first-round loss to win a second-place wrestleback. After placing runner-up at last year?s district meet, King is now a two-time state qualifier.

?He did a good job to come back from an opening loss,? Chapman said. ?He?s had experience [at state] and the butterflies won?t be as bad this time around. I look forward to seeing what he can do.?

Slaney opens the state tournament vs. Troy Hunt (39-2) of Maquoketa Valley, and King is going up against Nodaway Valley?s Taylor Hagen (43-2).

?We told the two of them afterwards, ?Let?s be happy about this but let?s not be satisfied.?? added Chapman. ?There?s plenty of work still ahead.?

Pekin racked up 46 points to finish fifth out of 12 schools. Eddyville-Blakesburg won the team title scoring 139.5 points and West Marshall was second with 115.5.

Corman wins district title

EDDYVILLE ? Van Buren?s Zach Corman continued his late-season surge Saturday, adding a district title to his growing list of postseason accolades.

Corman, who has lost just one match all season, beat Connor Johnston of Tri-County in the 195-pound finals match to become the Warriors? lone state qualifier. The Warrior senior lost to Johnston, a two-time state placewinner, at last season?s district meet.

?He wrestled like he wants to stand on the podium in Des Moines,? said Van Buren coach Richard Daugherty. ?He continues to wrestle smart and aggressive.?

The senior?s first trip to the state tournament will pair him against Chet Willer of Akron-Westfield to start.

As a team, the Warriors ended up with 38 points for sixth place.

Cale, Hemm advance

EDDYVILLE ? Cardinal sophomore Ryan Cale and senior Andrew Hemm will be making their first appearances at the state tournament following runner-up finishes Saturday.

Cale (113), who has a 23-11 record this season, will square off against JD Rader of South Hamilton in the state tournament?s first round. Hemm (220), meanwhile, carries his 35 wins to Wells Fargo Arena where he will face 40-win Derrick Miller of West Branch.

Cardinal finished seventh in the team standings with 34 points.