Effingham's Jon Perry Competes At State

This year the State Meet was run by the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association.

Perry lost his opening match to Jake Sinclair but came back to take his second match with a win over Carter Watkins. He then fell in the third match to Joseph Norton to exit the tourney.

Perry will be a senior next season and wrestled in the 152 pound class. He placed second in regionals and fourth in sectionals to advance to the State Meet.

Jon's dad, Greg Perry, shared a personal note:

"It's been said wrestling exposes character," said Perry. "Jon lost to a young man from Goreville in the championship match at regionals and the boys' record was something like 33-1 at the time. A week later, Jon worked his way through the sectionals bracket and faced the same boy at sectionals. This time, whoever won advanced to State and whoever lost went home. Jon won.

"Fast forward a few days later at State and Jon needed someone to warm up with. The Goreville boy, who was there to watch the tournament, offered to warm him up. That's the character of the kids competing at this level. They understand it's a "sport" and not a "fight".