Wildcat wrestlers advance to state event

Anna-Jonesboro Community High School’s Arojae Hart won first place Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Illinois High School Association Class 1A wrestling sectional at Carterville.

Hart, 25-5, wrestled in the 113-pound weight class. He won the championship bout in four overtime periods, the ultimate tie-breaker, 3-2, over Oakwood’s Gage Reed.

A-J’s Nate Kisat also advanced to the state tournament with a second place finish at 145 pounds. 

He lost by a pin in the first period to Belleville Althoff’s Max Kristoff in the championship round.

Both A-J wrestlers qualified for the IHSA wrestling Class 1A state tournament this weekend at the State Farm Center in Champaign.

Alternates for the Wildcats were Amiyah Hart, 106 pounds, and Reid Morrison, 195 pounds. Both of them will advance to state as well.

“We had a great season and finished 21-8 in dual losses,” A-J coach Eric Massey said. “Our losses came to powerhouse ranked schools. It was the toughest schedule we ever put ourselves in.”

The Wildcats captured a Class 1A regional title.  and the team will advance to play next Tuesday, Feb. 19, at the Vandalia team sectional.

“I’m proud of all of them,” Massey said. “I see a state trophy in the next five years from one of them.”