February 05, 2025
NewsSportsNewslettersShaw Local RadioeNewspaperLocal EventsStarved Rock Country

BCR boys wrestling regional preview

By Kevin Hieronymus
Princeton's Casey Etheridge works on making a fall against Rockridge’s Levi Junis on Friday night. He won both matches by fall as the TIgers clinched the Three Rivers Conference championship.

Princeton's Casey Etheridge works on making a fall against Rockridge’s Levi Junis on Friday night as the Tigers clinched the Three Rivers Conference championship. He is one of five Tigers ranked in the top 10 in Class 1A. (Photo provided by John Morris)

1A St. Bede Regional

When: 9 a.m. Saturday.

Local teams: Amboy co-op, Mendota, Ottawa Marquette, Princeton, Putnam County-Hall, St. Bede. Other teams: Aurora Central Catholic, Lisle, Sandwich, Somonauk.

Worthy of note: Princeton is fresh off winning the Three Rivers Conference championship on Friday, its first conference title in 14 years. Senior Ace Christiansen, one of four returning state qualifiers (three medalists), said the Tigers look to carry their momentum into the postseason. “Coming off this big conference win will push us off forward into regional and maybe even have a shot at winning it as a team,” he said. Christiansen, the reigning BCR Wrestler of the Year, stands 37-3, ranked No. 4 at 144. He placed third at state at 138 last year. Casey Etheridge (40-2), a 2024 state qualifier, heads the Tigers with a No. 3 ranking at 165. Heavyweight Cade Odell, who placed fourth at state last year, checks in at 27-1, ranked No. 5 in Class 1A. Junior Augustus Swanson (22-7), fifth at state last year, is ranked No. 10 at 120. Freshman newcomer Kane Dauber (41-2) is ranked No. 7 at 132. Etheridge, Swanson and Odell are defending regional champions while Christiansen was a runner-up. ... St. Bede returns three sectional qualifiers - seniors Logan Pineda (165), Garrett Connelly (190) and Grady Gillan (215), a regional champion.

Next: Top four finishers at each weight class will advance to the Oregon Sectional on Feb. 14-15.

Have a Question about this article?