The boys wrestling team clinched the Southwestern Conference title, their 13th in a row, with a 42-27 win over the Belleville East Lancers on Jan. 26.
The Tigers went into the match knowing a win would secure them the SWC.
“We were feeling ready to scrap for sure,” senior Max Miller said. “Belleville East always brings a solid lineup, so we knew we had to focus up.”
Junior Tyler Perry kickstarted the win with a technical fall in the 120-pound weight class, giving the Tigers an early 16-0 lead.
“Sometimes when I go later, it gives me more time to think and get in my head,” Perry said. “Getting thrown out there and going first is really good for me. It felt really good to feel the atmosphere and get that momentum started for the team.”
The Tigers worked off Perry’s momentum and eventually built a 26-6 lead over the Lancers.
“We were definitely amped up when we saw him do well,” junior Brendan Landau said. “When our first guys get things rolling, we generally keep that momentum going forward into our later matches.”
Though Belleville East won about 6-0 at 157 pounds, Landau and Miller brought the Edwardsville lead to 32-12 with 4-0 and 5-0 wins, respectively.
“Even though we were out on a big lead, I was definitely going all out,” Landau said. “I needed to wrestle as best as I could just in case I wrestle [the same opponent] in [regionals].”
For Miller, it was about keeping the team hot for the rest of the match and securing the title.
“I am thankful that I was able to notch that win for my teammates and keep our momentum rolling,” Miller said.
The Tigers’ win took their record to 6-0 in the SWC and brought their conference win streak to 60. The Lancers have never beaten the Tigers at the Jon Davis Wrestling Center and have a 26-game losing streak against Edwardsville dating back more than two decades.
“[The streak] comes from the foundation of hard work and preparation that our coaches and whole team put in,” Miller said. “The guys know what it means to win the SWC. It’s tradition, and it’s a point of pride for our program.”
The night’s match served as the season’s senior night for Miller, Aidan Stamp and Ryan Smith. Though Stamp lost his bout, Miller and Smith won theirs.
“It’s … always nice to notch a win at home, especially since it was the last dual for the seniors,” Miller said. “It’s a good feeling to win my last home match, too. It was a great experience to go out there with [them] as a senior class.”
The Tigers will head north to Quincy Feb. 2 for regionals, where they have won 13 straight titles.
“The expectation is the same,” Miller said. “The work has been put in, now it’s time to have some fun in the postseason.”
