Roncalli Wrestling Wins Sectional Crown
Roncalli High School’s wrestling team totaled 254.5 points to capture the Warren Central sectional title and defeat 10 teams, including Warren Central, the defending state champions. The Warriors finished second with 190.5 points. Today’s title is the Rebels’ ninth wrestling sectional championship and the first since 2011. Warren Central had won the previous five sectional titles.
“This sectional championship is a big deal for our program,” said first-year head coach Wade McClurg. “We are very proud of this team and how hard they work. We have continued to get better as the season has progressed, and that’s a testament to our kids trusting the process.”
“We have bigger matches ahead in the coming weeks of the state series, and we will be ready,” added coach McClurg. “Our team will continue to build and improve on a daily basis. We want to thank Rebel Nation for showing up and supporting the team today, all the way from alumni, administration, down to the future Rebel wrestlers. Today was evidence that the #southsideREBELlion is real.”
Three Rebels won individual titles today. Junior Sam Hansen won the 182-pound class. Sophomore Elijah Mahan won the 160-pound class and freshman Alec Viduya won the 113-pound class. Those three wrestlers will be joined at next week’s regional by 10 of their teammates, who advanced on the basis of finishing in the top four of their respective classes. Seniors Marc Roland (second place, 285), Pat Waugh (second place, 145), Josh Hiatt (third place, 132) and Grant Duncan (third place 195), sophomores Trent Smith (second place, 152), Brian Keeney (third place, 138), Lorenzo Salazar (third place, 170) and John Harris (third place, 220), along with freshmen Sam Slivka (second place, 106) and Tyce Freije (second place, 120), all moved on to the regional round.
The Rebels will compete next Saturday (February 4) morning at Perry Meridian in the regional. The tournament begins at 9:00 a.m. The top four wrestlers in each weight class will advance to the semi-state.