Effingham Youth Wrestling Club Award Winners

The Effingham Youth Wrestling Club closed out its season on a high in March.

On March 12, seventh-grader at Effingham Junior High School, Julian Moon, came out victorious at the IKWF (Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation) State Tournament in Rockford, taking home third place in his weight division of 154 lbs. Novice (11-12 years).

Jonah LeDuc (Central Grade School) and Samuel Vineyard (Sacred Heart) rivaled in the 10-year-old and under State Championship in Bedford Park March 19-20. Jonah LeDuc competed in the 64 lb. weight division and Samuel Vineyard competed in the 70 lb. weight division placing eighth.

Hayden Bushue and Adam LeDuc, both Central Grade School students, competed at Bantam State Championships (8 yrs. & under) in Bolingbrook March 6. Bushue battled tough competition in the 46 lb. weight class and LeDuc brought home fifth place in the 49 lb. weight class.

Throughout the club’s season from December 2021-March 2022, the team brought home a variety of medals and trophies from tournaments across the state of Illinois. On February 20, the club participated in a 10u Team Dual Tournament in Vandalia bringing home fourth place.

At the end of the season celebration, coaches handed out awards for each age division in the following categories: MVP, Most Improved, Most Heart and Outstanding Achievement.

Awardees were as follows:

Tot MVP: Clayton Simmons

Tot Most Improved: Simon Nice

Tot Heart: Everly Schackmann

Bantam MVP: Adam LeDuc

Bantam Most Improved: Hayden Bushue

Bantam Heart: Sawyer Florey

Intermediate MVP: Samuel Vineyard

Intermediate Most Improved: Lincoln Nice

Intermediate Heart: Jonah LeDuc

Novice MVP: Julian Moon

Novice Most Improved: Jeremiah Giles

Novice Heart: Brendan Stewart

Senior MVP: Liam Bloehs

Senior Most Improved: Trent Reardon

Senior Heart: Trent Reardon

Outstanding Achievement: Julian Moon, Jonah LeDuc, Samuel Vineyard, Adam LeDuc, Hayden Bushue

Based in Effingham, the wrestling club seeks to include youth from throughout the county and neighboring counties. The club is co-ed and consists of youth ages five years through eighth-grade – prepping them for their journey into the high school wrestling program.

The club has been active in the Effingham community for many years but is still a growing program. Practices are held in the wrestling room at Effingham High School throughout the season. All coaches are volunteers and must complete training and background checks.

Coaches for 2021-22 were Bryan McMillan, Jeremy Patnaude, Dave Stewart and Greg LeDuc. For more information about the Effingham Youth Wrestling Club, contact Coach Patnaude at 815-370-6956 or find them on Facebook @effinghamyouthwrestling.