Aces Wrestlers Down Mt. Vernon

Mt. Carmel (MTCARMEL) 53.0 Mt. Vernon (H.S.) (MTVERNON) 28.0

106: Declan Stewart (MTVERNON) over Xane Simpson (MTCARMEL) (TF 19-4 0:00)
113: Mason Morris (MTCARMEL) over Ernest Dunklin (MTVERNON) (Fall 3:47)
120: Dalton St Angelo (MTVERNON) over Ezekiel Meier (MTCARMEL) (Fall 2:12)
126: Jack Clark (MTVERNON) over   (MTCARMEL) (For.)
132: Kyler Reisner (MTVERNON) over Kadin Melahn (MTCARMEL) (TF 18-3 0:00)
138: Emmitt Cooley (MTCARMEL) over Caleb Hicks (MTVERNON) (TF 18-2 0:00)
144: Gavin Pedigo (MTVERNON) over Carson Sloss (MTCARMEL) (Fall 0:38)
150: Isaiah Hall (MTCARMEL) over   (MTVERNON) (For.)
157: Cole Carmickle (MTCARMEL) over   (MTVERNON) (For.)
165: Dakota Woods (MTCARMEL) over Carson Smith (MTVERNON) (Fall 4:33)
175: Braxton Brown (MTCARMEL) over   (MTVERNON) (For.)
190: Paul-Ray Garrett (MTCARMEL) over Jaron Holmes (MTVERNON) (Fall 1:36)
215: Jackson Kling (MTCARMEL) over Bryson Upton (MTVERNON) (Fall 1:39)
285: Carter Pyatt (MTCARMEL) over Jack Banes (MTVERNON) (Fall 0:43)

Coaching Changes Approved By District #348 School Board

At this week’s District #348 school board meeting, the board hired long time local tennis coach Patty Bramlet to coach the Aces boys tennis team. That came on the heels of the board accepting the resignation of Elise Bramlet as boys and girls head tennis coach. Also, the board accepted the resignation of Cody Skees as junior high boys track coach.

Results for Mt. Carmel @ CWC Varsity Invite (01/19/2026)

Braxton Brown (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Champ. Round 1 - Felix Maynard (Harrisburg) over Braxton Brown (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 1:04)
Cons. Round 1 - Braxton Brown (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Cons. Round 2 - Rocco Giannavola (Marshall) over Braxton Brown (Mt. Carmel) (Dec 7-0)

Cole Carmickle (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Champ. Round 1 - Tevin Cribelar (Marshall) over Cole Carmickle (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 3:59)
Cons. Round 1 - Cole Carmickle (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Cons. Round 2 - Kellen Poole (Robinson) over Cole Carmickle (Mt. Carmel) (Dec 3-1)

Emmitt Cooley (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Champ. Round 1 - Emmitt Cooley (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Quarterfinals - Emmitt Cooley (Mt. Carmel) over Nolan Garner (Carmi (C.-White County)) (TF 19-4 1:53)
Semifinals - Emmitt Cooley (Mt. Carmel) over J.Q. Mezo (Harrisburg) (Fall 4:42)
1st Place Match - Broady Kelly (Robinson) over Emmitt Cooley (Mt. Carmel) (TF 21-5 4:52)

Paul-Ray Garrett (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Champ. Round 1 - Paul-Ray Garrett (Mt. Carmel) over Grant Jennette (Fairfield) (Fall 4:16)
Quarterfinals - Paul-Ray Garrett (Mt. Carmel) over Hayden White (Carmi (C.-White County)) (MD 19-7)
Semifinals - Daniel Jackson (Red Bud) over Paul-Ray Garrett (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 1:17)
Cons. Semis - Luke Monaghan (Centralia (H.S.)) over Paul-Ray Garrett (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 2:33)

Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Champ. Round 1 - Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) over Jazz Duckworth (Carmi (C.-White County)) (Dec 15-9)
Quarterfinals - Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) over Matthew Walsh (Breese (Central)) (Fall 3:54)
Semifinals - Gavin Slack (Carterville) over Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) (MD 12-4)
Cons. Semis - Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) over Michael Minor (West Frankfort (Frankfort)) (Fall 1:34)
Cons. Semis - Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) over Michael Minor (West Frankfort (Frankfort)) (Fall 1:34)
3rd Place Match - Matthew Walsh (Breese (Central)) over Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) (SV-1 6-3)

Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Champ. Round 1 - Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Quarterfinals - Carl Watkins (Carterville) over Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) (Dec 12-5)
Cons. Round 2 - Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Cons. Round 3 - Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) over Tanner Smith (West Frankfort (Frankfort)) (Fall 0:17)
Cons. Round 3 - Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) over Tanner Smith (West Frankfort (Frankfort)) (Fall 0:17)
Cons. Semis - Tucker Hill (Robinson) over Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) (Dec 10-5)

Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Champ. Round 1 - David Hooper (West Frankfort (Frankfort)) over Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 1:34)
Champ. Round 1 - David Hooper (West Frankfort (Frankfort)) over Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 1:34)
Cons. Round 1 - Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Cons. Round 2 - Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) over Jude Hoehn (Marshall) (Fall 5:02)
Cons. Round 3 - Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) over Eli Barks (Breese (Central)) (TF 20-2 3:14)
Cons. Semis - Isaac Wood (Carterville) over Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) (TF 19-1 2:38)

Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Champ. Round 1 - Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) over Miles Dennis (Edwardsville (Metro-East Lutheran)) (Dec 12-8)
Quarterfinals - Hudson Anderton (West Frankfort (Frankfort)) over Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) (TF 18-2 5:15)
Quarterfinals - Hudson Anderton (West Frankfort (Frankfort)) over Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) (TF 18-2 0:00)
Cons. Round 2 - Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) over Kyran Jackson (Centralia (H.S.)) (Fall 2:30)
Cons. Round 3 - Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) over Connor Benham (Carmi (C.-White County)) (TF 18-2 2:00)
Cons. Semis - Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) over Joseph Oswalt (Salem) (Dec 4-3)
3rd Place Match - Austin Campbell (Carterville) over Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 1:52)

Mason Morris (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Champ. Round 1 - Mason Morris (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Quarterfinals - Conner Crowder (Harrisburg) over Mason Morris (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 1:38)
Cons. Round 2 - Mason Morris (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Cons. Round 3 - Mason Morris (Mt. Carmel) over Braden Poskevich (Carterville) (Dec 11-5)
Cons. Semis - Gunner Fitts (Oblong) over Mason Morris (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 0:49)

Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Champ. Round 1 - Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Quarterfinals - Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) over Quentin Riley (West Frankfort (Frankfort)) (Fall 0:54)
Quarterfinals - Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) over Quentin Riley (West Frankfort (Frankfort)) (Fall 3:06)
Semifinals - Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) over Jessiah Lee (Robinson) (Fall 2:21)
1st Place Match - Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) over Gentry Michels (Olney (Richland County)) (MD 13-5)

Xane Simpson (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Champ. Round 1 - Xane Simpson (Mt. Carmel) over Grayson Slack (Carterville) (Fall 3:01)
Quarterfinals - Dalton Baker (Lawrenceville) over Xane Simpson (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 1:28)
Cons. Round 2 - Xane Simpson (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Cons. Round 3 - Hunter Fitts (Oblong) over Xane Simpson (Mt. Carmel) (Dec 3-1)

Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Champ. Round 1 - Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) over Gavin Chronic (Robinson) (Fall 1:35)
Quarterfinals - Kevan Moore (Salem) over Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 4:33)
Cons. Round 2 - Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) over Cameron Winter (Carmi (C.-White County)) (Fall 1:07)
Cons. Round 3 - Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) over Vance Vanway (Fairfield) (Fall 3:40)
Cons. Semis - Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) over Jay Klemish (Breese (Central)) (Fall 3:57)
3rd Place Match - Kevan Moore (Salem) over Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 0:41)

Dakota Woods (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Champ. Round 1 - Dakota Woods (Mt. Carmel) over Braxton Kirk (Fairfield) (Fall 3:33)
Quarterfinals - Oliver Hoke (Oblong) over Dakota Woods (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 3:22)
Cons. Round 2 - Jayden Mitcheff (Goreville) over Dakota Woods (Mt. Carmel) (Dec 8-6)

Results for Mt. Carmel @ CWC JV Invite (01/17/2026)

106: Xane Simpson (Mt. Carmel) - 5th
There are no match results associated with this wrestler at 106

120: Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) - 1st
There are no match results associated with this wrestler at 120

120: Mason Morris (Mt. Carmel) - 6th
There are no match results associated with this wrestler at 120

132: Zane Swinson (Mt. Carmel) - 2nd
There are no match results associated with this wrestler at 132

144: Eli Baker (Mt. Carmel) - 4th
There are no match results associated with this wrestler at 144

144: Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
There are no match results associated with this wrestler at 144

150: Tucker Martin (Mt. Carmel) - 3rd
There are no match results associated with this wrestler at 150

157: Matthew Risley (Mt. Carmel) - 2nd
There are no match results associated with this wrestler at 157

190: Brock Schilb (Mt. Carmel) - 5th
There are no match results associated with this wrestler at 190

215: Mason Potts (Mt. Carmel) - 4th
There are no match results associated with this wrestler at 215

285: Carlos Lopez (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
There are no match results associated with this wrestler at 285

Group I I: Jack Keepes (Mt. Carmel) - 1st
Junior Varsity - Round 1 - Jack Keepes (Mt. Carmel) over Marvin Perez Juarez (Pinckneyville) (Fall 0:54)
Junior Varsity - Round 2 - Jack Keepes (Mt. Carmel) over Scout Puricelli (Salem) (Fall 5:30)
Junior Varsity - Round 3 - Jack Keepes (Mt. Carmel) over Cannon Cervantez (Carterville) (TF 18-3 4:09)
Junior Varsity - Round 4 - Jack Keepes (Mt. Carmel) over Juan Sebastian (Carterville) (TF 16-1 3:21)
Junior Varsity - Round 5 - Jack Keepes (Mt. Carmel) over Gabe Stapel (Murphysboro) (Fall 1:26)

Results for Mt. Carmel @ Little Illini Individual Tournament (01/17/2026)

Braxton Brown (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Varsity - Quarterfinals - Rocco Giannavola (Marshall) over Braxton Brown (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 1:01)
Varsity - Cons. Round 1 - Braxton Brown (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Varsity - Cons. Semis - Finn Lathrop (Olney (Richland County)) over Braxton Brown (Mt. Carmel) (TF 24-6 4:41)

Cole Carmickle (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Varsity - Quarterfinals - Cole Carmickle (Mt. Carmel) over Mirko Ferraro (Olney (Richland County)) (TF 19-3 4:00)
Varsity - Semifinals - Daniel Kiser (Lawrenceville) over Cole Carmickle (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 2:41)
Varsity - Cons. Semis - Cole Carmickle (Mt. Carmel) over Tevin Cribelar (Marshall) (MD 14-6)
Varsity - 3rd Place Match - Kellen Poole (Robinson) over Cole Carmickle (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 2:57)

Emmitt Cooley (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Varsity - Quarterfinals - Emmitt Cooley (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Varsity - Semifinals - Emmitt Cooley (Mt. Carmel) over Landyn Jones (Olney (Richland County)) (TF 19-4 3:55)
Varsity - 1st Place Match - Broady Kelly (Robinson) over Emmitt Cooley (Mt. Carmel) (TF 15-0 1:29)

Paul-Ray Garrett (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Varsity - Quarterfinals - Paul-Ray Garrett (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Varsity - Semifinals - Reese Baker (Robinson) over Paul-Ray Garrett (Mt. Carmel) (Dec 5-3)
Varsity - Cons. Semis - Paul-Ray Garrett (Mt. Carmel) over Levi Bartley (Paris) (Fall 1:43)
Varsity - 3rd Place Match - Paul-Ray Garrett (Mt. Carmel) over Thomas Stafford (Marshall) (Fall 1:24)

Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Varsity - Quarterfinals - Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Varsity - Semifinals - Connor Schrader (Robinson) over Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) (SV-1 7-4)
Varsity - Cons. Semis - Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) over Declan Cooper (Paris) (Fall 1:19)
Varsity - 3rd Place Match - Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) over Levi Ochs (Olney (Richland County)) (Fall 0:50)

Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Varsity - Quarterfinals - Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) over Gavin Marlow (Paris) (Fall 1:21)
Varsity - Semifinals - Zander Schrader (Olney (Richland County)) over Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 2:28)
Varsity - Cons. Semis - Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Varsity - 3rd Place Match - Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) over Gavin Marlow (Paris) (Fall 2:25)

Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Varsity - Quarterfinals - Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) over Lauren Richards (Marshall) (Fall 0:34)
Varsity - Semifinals - Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) over Coy Romero (Paris) (SV-1 10-7)
Varsity - 1st Place Match - Kaeden Davis (Olney (Richland County)) over Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 1:29)

Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Varsity - Quarterfinals - Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Varsity - Semifinals - Gentry Michels (Olney (Richland County)) over Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 3:50)
Varsity - Cons. Semis - Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) over Wyatt Scott (Lawrenceville) (Fall 1:38)
Varsity - 3rd Place Match - Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) over Jessiah Lee (Robinson) (Fall 2:43)

Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Varsity - Quarterfinals - Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Varsity - Semifinals - Samuel Dial (Olney (Richland County)) over Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) (TF 18-3 4:19)
Varsity - Cons. Semis - Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Varsity - 3rd Place Match - Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) over Gavin Chronic (Robinson) (Fall 1:27)

Dakota Woods (Mt. Carmel) - DNP
Varsity - Quarterfinals - Dakota Woods (Mt. Carmel) received a bye
Varsity - Semifinals - Dakota Woods (Mt. Carmel) over Rylan Bejosano (Olney (Richland County)) (M. For.)
Varsity - 1st Place Match - Joshua Lamour (Paris) over Dakota Woods (Mt. Carmel) (Fall 3:38)

You can browse the entire event on Trackwrestling using the following link.
https://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/predefinedtournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=954749132

Aces Wrestlers Come Up Just Short At Salem

Mt. Carmel @ Salem on 01/15/2026.


Salem (SALEM) 33.0 Mt. Carmel (MTCARMEL) 27.0

106: William Vincent (SALEM) over Xane Simpson (MTCARMEL) (TF 18-2 0:00)
113: Double Forfeit
120: Kameron Rasul (SALEM) over Mason Morris (MTCARMEL) (Fall 4:01)
126: Double Forfeit
132: Joseph Oswalt (SALEM) over Kadin Melahn (MTCARMEL) (TF 20-3 0:00)
138: Emmitt Cooley (MTCARMEL) over Isiah Findley (SALEM) (MD 24-13)
144: Kevan Moore (SALEM) over Carson Sloss (MTCARMEL) (Dec 7-2)
150: Kade Orrell (SALEM) over Isaiah Hall (MTCARMEL) (Dec 9-3)
157: Matthew Risley (MTCARMEL) over   (SALEM) (For.)
165: Killian Merrill (SALEM) over Dakota Woods (MTCARMEL) (Fall 1:12)
175: Kyler King (SALEM) over Braxton Brown (MTCARMEL) (TF 18-3 0:00)
190: Paul-Ray Garrett (MTCARMEL) over Phoenix Pilcher (SALEM) (TF 19-3 0:00)
215: Jackson Kling (MTCARMEL) over Caeden Miraglia (SALEM) (Fall 2:37)
285: Carter Pyatt (MTCARMEL) over   (SALEM) (For.)

IHSA Board calls special meeting of Legislative Commission to address 2026 football start date

During its meeting on January 14, 2026, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors approved action for Board President Dan Tully to call a special meeting of the IHSA’s Legislative Commission on January 27.

Based on a recommendation from the IHSA’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, the Board is asking the Legislative Commission to consider a by-law amendment that would move the IHSA football practice start date from Monday, August 10, 2026, to Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The proposal will also seek to reinstate that all high school football players in the state participate in 12 official practices prior to being eligible to participate in an IHSA football contest. 

“It is rare for the Board to call a special meeting of the Legislative Commission, underscoring the importance they place on this proposal for student-athlete safety,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “While the Board understands this change may impact summer scheduling for coaches and players, they are aligned with the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee in believing it is a necessary step to protect student-athletes.”

The Legislative Commission will meet on January 27 to consider the proposal. If they approve, all IHSA member schools will have the opportunity to cast one vote on the proposal beginning on January 29. The voting will conclude on February 12, and if the proposal receives a simple majority of support, it will go into effect this August for the 2026 IHSA football season.

The IHSA membership voted in December to expand the IHSA Football Playoffs in 2026. That proposal required the season start date to move forward one week, which impacted the practice start date and required number of practices.

“The IHSA follows a democratic, member-driven process for by-law changes,” said Anderson. “As such, no additional changes or proposals will be considered at this special meeting, which is being convened solely due to the significant safety concerns involved.”

ACTION
1. The Board approved a recommendation to implement the following election cycle for the four new members of the Board of Directors who will represent Superintendents or Heads of School. In order to help bring balance to the Board elections, the new seats will be elected as follows:
one member elected for a three-year term
two members elected for a two-year term 
one member elected for a one-year term

2. The Board approved a recommendation to update the language to IHSA Board Policy 15 based on the by-law amendment changes in December to By-law 3.101. The updated language for Policy 15:

15. GUIDELINES FOR NON-SCHOOL COMPETITION
During the school term, special permission may be granted to permit a student to compete in a non-school event during the school season in two competitions and a third competition which is directly sanctioned by the National Governing Body or its junior or official Illinois affiliate. No student may participate in more than three (3) non-school competitions during a sports season. Schools must submit a request for approval in the Schools Center and provide a National Governing Body or its junior or official Illinois affiliate URL for the 3rd event. An event is limited to no more than five (5) contests conducted within seven (7) consecutive days.

3. The Board approved a recommendation to approve a Cooperative Agreement in the sport of 8-player football between Bement High School and Cerro Gordo High School that will encompass the 2026 and 2027 seasons.  


APPEALS & ELIGIBILITY RULINGS
Appeals 1-5 were held with the IHSA Hearing Board, a subset of the IHSA Board of Directors, virtually on January 8, 2026:

1. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Illinois Valley Central in Chillicothe. The student was ruled ineligible in one sport for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.042.

2. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Larkin in Elgin. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.030.

3. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Mt. Carmel in Chicago. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.030.

4. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Rock Island High School. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.030.

5. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Palatine High School. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.047.

6. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Palatine High School. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.047.


DISCUSSION ITEMS
At each meeting of the Board of Directors, there are certain items the Board discusses, but upon which no action is taken. The following is a report of those items from the January 14, 2026, agenda:

1. The Board discussed the by-law amendments that were passed by IHSA member schools in December, including which of the 12 by-laws will require Board interpretations and the implementation of each. 

2. The Board reviewed and discussed letters from administrators at Camp Point Central High School and Coal City High School regarding the IHSA membership vote to expand the football playoffs in 2026.

3. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on the NFHS Winter Meeting in early January.

4. The Board heard a report from staff members on the recent Let’s Connect meeting hosted by the IHSA in Rosemont.

5. The Board heard a report on the nomination process for the 2026 IHSA All-State Academic Team. The nomination deadline is February 13. Learn more about the nomination process here.
 

Aces Wrestlers Down Olney

Mt. Carmel (MTCARMEL) 41.0 Olney (Richland County) (RICHLAND) 30.0

106: Xane Simpson (MTCARMEL) over   (RICHLAND) (For.)
113: Double Forfeit
120: Hayden Hazel (RICHLAND) over Ezekiel Meier (MTCARMEL) (Dec 14-11)
126: Declyn Paddock (RICHLAND) over Mason Morris (MTCARMEL) (Fall 1:44)
132: Kaeden Davis (RICHLAND) over Kadin Melahn (MTCARMEL) (Fall 1:15)
138: Emmitt Cooley (MTCARMEL) over Landyn Jones (RICHLAND) (Fall 4:03)
144: Jack Keepes (MTCARMEL) over Levi Ochs (RICHLAND) (Fall 3:19)
150: Carson Sloss (MTCARMEL) over James Flectcher (RICHLAND) (Fall 2:50)
157: Isaiah Hall (MTCARMEL) over Mirko Ferraro (RICHLAND) (TF 15-0 0:00)
165: Rylan Bejosano (RICHLAND) over Cole Carmickle (MTCARMEL) (Fall 5:32)
175: Braxton Brown (MTCARMEL) over Nicholas Harned (RICHLAND) (Fall 5:09)
190: Jaime Bernaldo (RICHLAND) over Brock Schilb (MTCARMEL) (Fall 2:31)
215: Zander Schrader (RICHLAND) over Jackson Kling (MTCARMEL) (Dec 8-2)
285: Carter Pyatt (MTCARMEL) over Gentry Michels (RICHLAND) (Fall 5:29)


You can find more details regarding this dual using the following link.
https://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/seasons/LoadBalance.jsp?pageName=DualMatches.jsp&dualId=8785151132

Football Playoff Expansion Among 12 Proposals Approved By IHSA Member Schools

Illinois High School Association (IHSA) member schools approved all 12 amendment proposals that appeared on the all-school ballot during the annual by-law referendum process that concluded on December 15, 2025. The voting was independently certified on the morning of December 16.

 There were several significant changes approved by the membership, including expansion of the IHSA Football Playoffs from 32 teams per class to 48 teams per class, increasing the number of total playoff qualifiers from 256 qualifiers to 384. There are no changes to the number of playoff classes in football, which remains at eight. The season start date remains the same (August 10 in 2026), but the first regular-season games will be played one week earlier (August 20 in 2026), eliminating the Week Zero scrimmage.

 "Too often throughout the years, football decisions have negatively impacted other sports at IHSA schools,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. " We are hopeful that this football playoff expansion will provide intended relief to our schools by stabilizing conference movement and eliminating the difficulty of scheduling football games that many of our schools face each year. It may create some short-term complications for some schools, conferences, and coaches, but we remain optimistic it will create long-term stability in football and beyond.”

 Other significant changes include the IHSA Board of Directors expanding from 11 elected members to 15 elected members, with four new seats being created specifically for Superintendents (or Presidents, Heads of School, etc.). Cooperative sports teams made-up of 3,500 students or more will no longer be eligible to compete for IHSA State Series team awards, while the IHSA’s no-contact period in the summer will be moved from early August to the week of the Fourth of July beginning this summer.

 Over 90% percent of the IHSA's 802 member high schools took part in the 2025 voting process.

Aces Wrestlers Finish 6th At Lawrenceville

113

Xane Simpson (0-3) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Xane Simpson (Mt. Carmel) 0-3 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Quarterfinal - Julian Perez (Paris) 2-2 won by tech fall over Xane Simpson (Mt. Carmel) 0-3 (TF-1.5 4:00 (17-2))

  • Cons. Round 2 - Gage Anderson (Carmi-White County) 3-3 won by decision over Xane Simpson (Mt. Carmel) 0-3 (Dec 11-10)

120

Ezekiel Meier (6-5) placed 6th and scored 13.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) 6-5 won by fall over Gunner Fitts (Oblong) 0-3 (Fall 1:49)

  • Quarterfinal - Brennan Jeralds (Herrin) 3-3 won by tech fall over Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) 6-5 (TF-1.5 2:32 (19-4))

  • Cons. Round 2 - Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) 6-5 won by fall over Drennan Aud (Carmi-White County) 2-3 (Fall 5:19)

  • Cons. Semi - Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) 6-5 won by fall over Eli Barks (Breese Central) 0-2 (Fall 0:51)

  • 5th Place Match - Jude Hoehn (Marshall) 4-2 won by decision over Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) 6-5 (Dec 9-7)

132

Kadin Melahn (5-5) placed 4th and scored 13.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) 5-5 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Quarterfinal - Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) 5-5 won by fall over Lane Witucki (Fairfield) 0-2 (Fall 3:34)

  • Semifinal - Braden Berndt (Herrin) 5-1 won by fall over Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) 5-5 (Fall 3:53)

  • 3rd Place Match - Coy Ramero (Paris) 3-1 won by fall over Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) 5-5 (Fall 1:19)

138

Emmitt Cooley (7-3) placed 3rd and scored 15.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Emmitt Cooley (Mt. Carmel) 7-3 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Quarterfinal - Emmitt Cooley (Mt. Carmel) 7-3 won by fall over Landyn Jones (Olney) 8-3 (Fall 3:40)

  • Semifinal - Broady Kelly (Robinson) 5-0 won by tech fall over Emmitt Cooley (Mt. Carmel) 7-3 (TF-1.5 4:22 (18-3))

  • 3rd Place Match - Emmitt Cooley (Mt. Carmel) 7-3 won by decision over Owen Griffin (Oblong) 2-2 (Dec 12-9)

144

Carson Sloss (4-4) placed 6th and scored 10.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) 4-4 won by fall over Declan Cooper (Paris) 0-3 (Fall 2:42)

  • Quarterfinal - Jude Wirey (Oblong) 4-0 won by tech fall over Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) 4-4 (TF-1.5 2:28 (17-2))

  • Cons. Round 2 - Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) 4-4 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Cons. Semi - Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) 4-4 won by major decision over James Fletcher (Olney) 3-7 (MD 14-6)

  • 5th Place Match - Hudson Meek (Lawrenceville) 3-1 won by fall over Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) 4-4 (Fall 3:57)

150

Isaiah Hall (6-2) placed 2nd and scored 19.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) 6-2 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Quarterfinal - Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) 6-2 won by decision over Samuel Dial (Olney) 4-5 (Dec 8-5)

  • Semifinal - Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) 6-2 won by major decision over Connor Schrader (Robinson) 4-1 (MD 17-8)

  • 1st Place Match - Cale Seitzinger (Lawrenceville) 3-0 won by decision over Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) 6-2 (Dec 14-8)

157

Dakota Woods (5-4) placed 4th and scored 13.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Dakota Woods (Mt. Carmel) 5-4 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Quarterfinal - Dakota Woods (Mt. Carmel) 5-4 won by fall over Grant Otey (Fairfield) 0-2 (Fall 0:25)

  • Semifinal - Garret Rigdon (Paris) 3-1 won by fall over Dakota Woods (Mt. Carmel) 5-4 (Fall 1:34)

  • 3rd Place Match - Daniel Kiser (Lawrenceville) 2-1 won by fall over Dakota Woods (Mt. Carmel) 5-4 (Fall 3:08)

165

Cole Carmickle (1-5) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Corbin Meyers (Vandalia) 3-1 won by major decision over Cole Carmickle (Mt. Carmel) 1-5 (MD 13-3)

  • Cons. Round 1 - Cole Carmickle (Mt. Carmel) 1-5 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Cons. Round 2 - Anakin Ricklefs (Breese Central) 2-2 won by fall over Cole Carmickle (Mt. Carmel) 1-5 (Fall 3:15)

175

Braxton Brown (2-7) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Brayden Rogers (Paris) 1-3 won by fall over Braxton Brown (Mt. Carmel) 2-7 (Fall 0:56)

  • Cons. Round 1 - Braxton Brown (Mt. Carmel) 2-7 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Cons. Round 2 - Garrett Ray (Herrin) 4-4 won by fall over Braxton Brown (Mt. Carmel) 2-7 (Fall 1:07)

215

Jackson Kling (4-6) placed 4th and scored 13.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) 4-6 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Quarterfinal - Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) 4-6 won by fall over Candin Pribble (Herrin) 1-3 (Fall 1:09)

  • Semifinal - Zander Schrader (Olney) 9-0 won by major decision over Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) 4-6 (MD 12-3)

  • 3rd Place Match - Tucker Hill (Robinson) 3-2 won by fall over Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) 4-6 (Fall 0:49)

285

Carter Pyatt (9-1) placed 1st and scored 27.5 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) 9-1 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Quarterfinal - Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) 9-1 won by fall over Jacksen Walker (Herrin) 0-5 (Fall 0:53)

  • Semifinal - Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) 9-1 won by fall over Logan Curl (Paris) 3-1 (Fall 1:09)

  • 1st Place Match - Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) 9-1 won by tech fall over Gentry Michels (Olney) 8-1 (TF-1.5 4:00 (15-0))

Team Scores

1Lawrenceville 204.5

2Robinson 169.5

3Vandalia 168.0

4Olney 163.0

5Paris 136.0

6Mt. Carmel 123.5

7Oblong 113.0

8Johnston City 112.0

9Herrin 108.0

10Carmi-White County 79.0

11Fairfield 54.0

12Breese Central 47.5

13Marshall 25.0

COACHES MIKE CHEESMAN COMMENTS:

We had a lot of great wrestling throughout the day, where we wrestled tough and gritted out some great matches. We saw improvements from earlier in the week, including guys getting revenge on some opponents. We, as coaches, talk to the wrestlers all the time about the process of effort, perseverance, grit, and work ethic is what we are looking for, and not necessarily the match outcome, because we know that if we improve those things every chance we can, then the desired outcomes of winning matches/duals/tourneys will eventually come. We are starting to get our wrestlers to buy into this culture, and we are seeing some great things and improvements. Although we may not have won every match, it was still a victory to build on for their next match or practice. We keep telling the kids that their efforts will pay dividends, and it's really neat to see them starting to believe it.

The next match is a HOME MATCH on 12/11/25 at 6:00PM at the Hilltop against a great team in Lawrenceville. Come support the wrestlers!

Aces Wrestlers Finish 6th Out Of 10 Teams At Vincennes

On Saturday, the wrestling Aces finished 6th out of 10 schools at the Vincennes Invite, and went 2-3 on the day. Our order of the duals of the day was: Ev. Reitz, Terre Haute South, Ev. Harrison, Olney (Richland County.), and then Northview in the 5th/6th place match. We also had two wrestlers get a couple exhibition matches.

Coach Mike Cheesman Comments:

“Overall, we knew there would be good wrestlers and some stout teams there this weekend, and that’s why we came because of the competition. Even though we were the smallest school there, we geared up and wrestled tough all day. We saw some big steps of improvements, things we need to correct, but one of the most important things we gained was experience. We are growing as a team, and experiences like this invite are valuable. We are excited, as a coaching staff, to continue to watch our wrestlers grow and succeed throughout this year. “

NEXT MATCH IS WEDNESDAY 12/3/25 @ Carmi-White Co. starting at 6pm

Mt. Carmel Wrestlers Open Season With Win At Oblong

MCHS WRESTLING DUAL 11/25/25 @ Oblong

106: Thomas Stigler (OBLONG) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
113: Gunner Fitts (OBLONG) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
120: Ezekiel Meier (MTCARMEL) over Gunner Fitts (OBLONG) (Fall 0:30)
126: Mason Morris (MTCARMEL) over (OBLONG) (For.)
132: Kadin Melahn (MTCARMEL) over (OBLONG) (For.)
138: Emmitt Cooley (MTCARMEL) over (OBLONG) (For.)
144: Owen Griffin (OBLONG) over Carson Sloss (MTCARMEL) (Dec 8-2)
150: Jude Wirey (OBLONG) over Tucker Martin (MTCARMEL) (TF 20-5 0:00)
157: Isaiah Hall (MTCARMEL) over Jack Huddleston (OBLONG) (Fall 0:42)
165: Cole Littlejohn (OBLONG) over Cole Carmickle (MTCARMEL) (Fall 0:47)
175: Braxton Brown (MTCARMEL) over Keaton Davis (OBLONG) (TF 26-8 0:00)
190: Oliver Hoke (OBLONG) over Jesus Romero (MTCARMEL) (Fall 0:35)
215: Jackson Kling (MTCARMEL) over Bryar Shields (OBLONG) (Fall 1:54)
285: Carter Pyatt (MTCARMEL) over Ethan Miller (OBLONG) (Fall 2:34)

Dual Final Score:

Mt Carmel 47 - Oblong 32

Coach Mike Cheesman’s Comments:

“It was great to see the wrestlers to get on the mat and start the season off with great energy, focus, and confidence. For some, it was knocking off ‘the rust’, and others, it was getting rid of the their first ever match ‘jitters’. Overall, we went in to the match having a job to do, and our wrestlers responded by doing exactly that.  We want to keep that energy, focus, and confidence going throughout the season. It’s always great to start the season with a win,”

Our next match is the Vincennes Lincoln Invite 11/29/25 @ 9AM EST

Proposal to expand IHSA football playoffs

Roxana High School has authored a proposal to the IHSA that would expand the high school football playoffs from 256 qualifiers to 384 qualifiers and alter regular-season scheduling to a “flexed regional” format.

If adopted, the IHSA football postseason would have 48 playoff teams in each classification, which is up from the current number of 32 qualifiers. In Class 1A through Class 6A, the top eight seeds in the north and south brackets would receive an opening round bye, while in Class 7A and Class 8A, the top 16 seeds would automatically advance to the second round.

The “flexed regional” scheduling model would divide the state into regions of at least six teams determined by geographic proximity and enrollment. All playoff-eligible football-playing teams in the state would be divided equally into the eight classifications before the season, which would become the group of teams that are divided into each regional.

Schools would be able to schedule their non-regional games on their own.

Under this proposal, Week 1 of the season would start a week earlier to allow the state championship games to still be played during the week of Thanksgiving.

Roxana High School Assistant Principal Adam Miller explains why they feel the two parts of the proposal fit together.

The IHSA’s legislative council must approve the proposal before being placed on an all-school ballot for a vote from all IHSA member schools. If approved by a simple majority, the policy would go into effect next season.