Trevor Edwards finished in third place, with a 31-2 record.
Trevor Edwards finished in third place, with a 31-2 record.
Mattoon’s Trevor Edwards came third at the Class 2A state wrestling tournament March 19 at the State Farm Center, finishing with a 31-2 record.
According to illinoismatmen.com, Edwards is ranked No. 9. However, he became the No. 1 seed at the tournament as he won matches against eighth, 10th and 11th-ranked wrestlers. However, he had tough matches ahead, as he was supposed to fight wrestlers ranked No. 1, No. 3 and No. 6.
Edwards was outsmarted by only one wrestler in the tournament. Top-ranked Travis Ford-Melton of Marian Catholic, who was undefeated in the tournament, beat Edwards 10-3 in the semifinals. The top-ranked wrestler eventually won the title.
Despite the update, Edwards won against Riley Palm of Carmel, ranked No. 6, 6-0. He also beat Trey Keeley of Washington, ranked No. 3, with only one second to go.
According to Mattoon coach Brett Porter, everyone in the postseason has a 0-0 record.
“We try not to look at rankings, try not to look at how tough the kids are -- just because at this level, everyone is tough,” he said.
Edwards considered it an amazing achievement to win the third.
“It’s a huge accomplishment after not even making it to state last year,” he said.