A-J wrestler Mays competes at state tourney

Anna-Jonesboro Community High School’s Blake Mays lost 7-4 to Morrison’s Colton Linke to be eliminated in the wrestle backs in the Illinois High School Association Class 1A state wrestling tournament at the State Farm Center in Champaign Friday, Feb. 21.

Linke ended up finishing in fourth place.

Mays faced four-time state qualifier Peoria Notre Dame wrestler Tristan Dougherty, 45-0, and lost 20-5 in first round action on Thursday, Feb. 20.

Mays, a sophomore who wrestled in the 126-pound class, finished 36-12 overall.

A-J wrestling coach Chase Hargrave said Mays has a good chance to advance to state again next season, along with three or four other grapplers coming back. The Wildcats graduate only one senior this season.

A-J wrestlers Arojae Hart and Caleb Mays went to state as alternates, but didn’t compete.