Two of the four Junior Kahoks wrestlers that qualified for the Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation State Tournament this weekend earned top five finishes; three of the four lost to the eventual state champion.
Alfred McIntosh (white shirt) on the podium after winning 3rd place at the IKWF Wrestling State Tournament / submitted photo
Aaron Engle (white shirt) on the podium after taking 5th place at the IKWF Wrestling State Tournament / submitted photo
Eighth grader Alfred McIntosh won third place at 275 pounds. McIntosh had a first round bye before winning his first two matches by 10-6 and 5-2 scores respectively, before dropping a decision to the eventual state champion. McIntosh regrouped to win his next two matches to take third.
Aaron Engle (138 pounds) earned a 5th place. The eighth grader won his first two matches before also losing to the eventual state champion. Engle won two of his next three matches to claim the fifth-place spot on the podium.
Patrick Grzywacz (108 pounds) had a first-round bye, then won his first match before losing to the eventual state champion. In the losers bracket, Grzywacz lost to the person who went on to finish in third place.
The only Junior Kahoks wrestler to not lose to an eventual state champion was 7th grader Sam Blaha, at 115 pounds. Blaha bowed out on the first round.
