The Central High School wrestling team qualified four participants to the IHSA State Wrestling Meet beginning on Thursday, February 20.
Senior Gianni Panozzo (pictured above) will wrestle at the state meet for the third time, qualifying the previous two years. Gianni has gone 1-2 in both previous state meet appearances. Last year, he was defeated by the eventual third and fourth-place finishers. This year, Gianni wrestled at 150 pounds and has gone 44-6 this season. He finished runner-up at last week’s IHSA 1A Sectional at Coal City. Gianni opens with a match against Holden Brazelton from Tolono Unity.
Junior Giona Panozzo (pictured above) will be wrestling in his second state meet. Last year, he wrestled at 138 pounds and lost both of his matches. This year, he is wrestling at 157 pounds and enters the state meet with a 37-13 record. Giona finished third at last week’s IHSA Sectional. Lucas Maier of Pontiac is Giona’s opponent in the first round.
Junior Evan Cox (pictured above) will be wrestling at his first IHSA State Wrestling Meet. Evan was runner-up at 144 pounds at the IHSA Sectional and enters with a 42-10 mark. Evan will face Warrensburg-Latham’s Charlie Wittmer in an opening-round match.
Junior Brody O’Connor (pictured above) enters the state meet with a 32-15 record at 215 pounds. It will be Brody’s first appearance at the IHSA State Wrestling Meet. Brody finish fourth at last week’s sectional meet. Brody faces top-seeded Drake Champlin from East Alton-Wood River in the first round.
In addition to Thursday, wrestling takes place Friday (February 20) and Saturday (February 21), with wrestle-backs and championship bouts occurring Saturday.
Nine Comets have placed at the IHSA State Meet. Justin Coggins and Parr Schoolman are the highest placing Comets, as both placed second. Coggins finished runner-up at 195 pounds in 2018, while Schoolman took runner-up at 103 pounds in 1989.
(Picture credits: Michelle Hull)
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