BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School’s wrestling team demonstrated strong performances last week, defeating Belleville West 73-12 and Granite City 54-24 in dual meets. The team, coached by Jeremy Christeson, continues to build momentum as the season progresses.
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The wrestlers competing included Cody Weidner (106 pounds), Brady Johnson (120), Leland Logan (126), Avery Jaime (138), Greg Harkey (144), Knox Verbais (150), Alonzo Lofton (157), James Wójcikiewicz (165), Tristan Ward (175), Luke McCoy (190), Kevahm Flanagan (215), and Hudson Davis at heavyweight.
Coach Christeson expressed satisfaction with the squad’s depth and character.
“We are pretty solid top to bottom," he said. "We have always had really good teams at Civic Memorial."
He also praised the team’s camaraderie, noting the support for a special needs wrestler.
“We have a special needs wrestler, and they rally around him and take care of him," the coach said. "They are not just good wrestlers, but good kids,” Christeson said.
Recently, seven Civic Memorial wrestlers participated in the Beast of the East Wrestling Tournament at the University of Delaware. The group included Weidner, Jaime, Harkey, Verbais, Wójcikiewicz, McCoy, and Flanagan. While no team members placed, Coach Christeson highlighted close matches and valuable experience gained.
“No one placed but they were close,” he said. Weidner went 4-2 and lost in a tiebreaker in his final match at the tournament. Verbais also advanced close to the finals.
Christeson described the tournament as an opportunity to observe top-level wrestling and college coaching.
“It was a blast. Every college coach in the country is there to find out what you’re doing wrong and right. Everybody is going to college, what they’re doing,” he said.
The team plans to continue its competitive schedule with upcoming events, including a tournament in Evans, Indiana, and a meet against Mater Dei. Coach Christeson remains optimistic about the team’s prospects.
“I think next year really good shot at making deep runs at the Beast of the East Tournament,” he said.
Civic Memorial’s wrestling team has a history of sending wrestlers to national tournaments, consistently gaining experience and helping in statewide competition. The program emphasizes both athletic development and personal growth among its athletes.
The CM wrestlers were able to run the steps and see the Rocky statue in Philadelphia on the trek back home. The statue is there for the famed movie boxer Rocky Balboa portrayed by actor Sylvester Stallone, maybe one of the highlights of the trip for the Civic Memorial youth, Coach Christeson said.
