Free Press Advocate

Wildcat matmen honor coach Murph during senior night

Published by admin on Tue, 01/25/2022 - 4:50pm

by shawn long Sports writer The Wilmington matmen honored coach Rob Murphy on Tuesday night during their senior night dual team match with Clifton Central. Even though they dropped the match, 60-18 to the Comets, the night was about a whole lot more than a wrestling match. It was about celebrating their wrestling coach who has done so much for the program. It was a night when past wrestlers and even opposing coaches came out to support him, and he was grateful. “I just want to thank everybody that came here,” said Murphy. “To have success it takes a lot of people.

Wildcat matmen place three at ICE tourney

Published by admin on Tue, 01/25/2022 - 4:44pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
The Wilmington matmen competed well during the Illinois Central Eight Conference Tournament on Saturday as they earned sixth with 34 points.
The ‘Cats placed ahead of Herscher (30) and Streator (21) with Coal City (204), Reed-Custer (109.5), Peotone (104), Lisle (92) and Manteno (46) rounding out the top five.
The ‘Cats had all three of their wrestlers place as Jake Prescott (138) place third while Parker Adams (145) and Karsen Hansen (182) placed fourth.

‘Cats place three in Comet Classic

Published by admin on Tue, 01/18/2022 - 3:36pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
The Wrestling Wildcats placed 18th out of 22 teams during the Comet Classic on Friday and Saturday.
The ‘Cats scored 62 points while Bradley Bourbonnais placed first with 191.5 points Reed-Custer second with 190 points.
The ‘Cats had Landon Dooley (120) place fifth while Hunter Hayes (170) and Blake Shirey (285) placed sixth.
Dooley upends state
honorable mention

Humphries will never forget the play that ended the state title game

Published by admin on Tue, 01/18/2022 - 3:34pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
Wilmington senior Kaden Humphries got in the Class 2A state championship football game for only one play.
It was the last play of the game as the injured quarterback took a knee to give the Wildcats a 24-7 win over Nashville in November.
Humphries notes that whole state experience was something he’ll never forget.

Lady ‘Cats fall to Coalers in a fight to the very end

Published by admin on Tue, 01/18/2022 - 3:34pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
The Wilmington girls basketball team came up short 36-28 to Coal City on Thursday.
Both teams started fast as Coal City had the lead by not by much as the ‘Cats brought it back to a three-point game at half-time.

Comets, ‘Cats matmen will face challenges at Comet Classic

Published by admin on Tue, 01/11/2022 - 3:30pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
If the pandemic stays out of the way, the Comet wrestling Classic Invite is back.
In 2020, the Reed-Custer Comets and the Wilmington Wildcats competed against a 17-team field.
The Comet Classic will take place Friday and Saturday in the Reed-Custer Fieldhouse after a year’s absence.
In 2020, Reed-Custer placed fourth while Wilmington was 15th in the 17-team event.

Wildcat matmen place two at PIT

Published by admin on Tue, 01/11/2022 - 3:29pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
The Wildcats placed two of five wrestlers during the 58th Annual Lyle King Princeton Invite tournament that took place on Friday and Saturday Friday in Princeton, IL.
The Wildcats placed 20th as a team with 50 points. Wilmington wrestling coach Rob Murphy was happy with the way his team wrestled.
“Everyone wrestled hard against some very good competitors.” said Wilmington wrestling coach Rob Murphy.

Lady ‘Cats bounceback with two straight

Published by admin on Tue, 01/11/2022 - 3:28pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
The Wilmington girls basketball team got by Grant Park, 49-45 on Saturday, thanks to a great game from Anna Liaromatis.
The ‘Cats shot 25 percent from the floor, hitting four threes with a 50 percent conversion rate from the line.
They were led by Liaromatis, who put up 18 points, hitting six shots from the floor with six free-throws. She also led the team with a team-high, 18 rebounds for a double-double.

Lady ‘Cats can’t catch the Lions

Published by admin on Tue, 01/04/2022 - 4:05pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
The Wilmington girls basketball team was upended 46-22 to Lisle on Monday night.
Lisle took the early advantage with two big runs to lead 23-9 at the half.
The Lady ‘Cats had their highest scoring quarter in the third as they put up seven but that wasn’t enough as the Lions outscored them there and in the fourth quarter to close them out.
The ‘Cats were led by Clara Smith with nine points.
Anna Liaromatis added five points while Lexi Liaromatis chipped in three points.

Wildcat matmen sixth in 9 Copper during Abe’s Rumble

Published by admin on Tue, 01/04/2022 - 4:04pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
It was tough sledding for the Wilmington matmen during the Abe’s Rumble wrestling dual team tournament on Wednesday and Thursday in Springfield as they had only seven wrestlers forcing them to forfeit key weight classes.
They did pick up a win while in the 9 Copper Bracket but the rest of the two days were a struggle. They earned sixth place in the 9 Copper bracket.