By: Damon Sloss

This past Saturday, the Mount Carmel Golden Aces wrestling team made their mark at the Lawrence County High School Tournament. In a field stacked with talent, the Aces proved they were up for the challenge. Competing across nine weight classes, the team showcased determination, resilience, and a never-quit attitude.

For Mount Carmel, this tournament was a test of grit. Facing stiff competition, several wrestlers found themselves battling through tough brackets, navigating quick pins, grueling decisions, and even heartbreaking losses. Despite this, the Aces had several standout performances, with two wrestlers—Carson Sloss (132) and Johnny Askren (165)—earning podium finishes.

Carson Sloss demonstrated exceptional skill and heart in his journey to third place. After an early-round bye, Sloss pinned Carterville’s Quimaine Jennings in just two minutes. Although he fell to Johnston City’s Benjamin Harris in the semifinals, Sloss rebounded in the 3rd place match, outlasting Dylan Blain of Vandalia with a hard-fought 10-5 decision.

Johnny Askren also turned heads at 165 pounds, finishing third. Askren, known for his tenacity on the mat, opened with a bye before pinning Johnston City’s Randy Fuqua in the quarterfinals. While Parker Ray of Vandalia stopped Askren’s semifinal run with a technical fall, Askren regrouped in spectacular fashion, pinning Carmi-White County’s Branson Burnett in just 1:22 to claim his spot on the podium.

Heavyweight Carter Pyatt delivered an electrifying performance at 285 pounds, thrilling the crowd with a first-period pin in his quarterfinal match against Breese Central’s Luke Pruett. Though Pyatt fell short in subsequent rounds, including the 3rd place match against Carterville’s Jeremiah Bouchard, his effort epitomized the team’s fighting spirit.

While not every Ace reached the podium, the team displayed significant promise across all weight classes. Wrestlers like Eli Baker (120) and Isaiah Kasinger (144) navigated deep consolation rounds, proving their ability to bounce back after early setbacks. Others, like Aaron Sanor (138) and Paul-Ray Garrett (175), showed flashes of brilliance in their matches, earning pivotal wins and valuable experience along the way.

The Golden Aces left Lawrence County with lessons learned, heads held high, and an eye toward the rest of the season. This team, young but fearless, is laying a foundation for future success and, as Saturday proved, they are ready to compete with anyone.

The Golden Aces will look to build on their tournament experience as they return to action on Wednesday, December 11, for a dual meet at Lawrenceville High School. With action set to kick off at 6:00 p.m., Mount Carmel will face off against Lawrenceville in what promises to be an exciting showdown. Fans won’t want to miss the intensity and determination as the Aces continue their march through the season.

Tournament Results for Mount Carmel Wrestlers

120:
• Eli Baker
Champ. Round 1: Won by major decision over Bentley Hornbrook (Paris) (16-6)
Quarterfinal: Lost by fall to Drew Seitzinger (Lawrenceville) (0:57)
Cons. Semi: Lost by decision to Max Etherton (Johnston City) (11-9)

132:
• Carson Sloss (3rd place)
Quarterfinal: Won by fall over Quimaine Jennings (Carterville) (2:00)
Semifinal: Lost by fall to Benjamin Harris (Johnston City) (0:39)
3rd Place Match: Won by decision over Dylan Blain (Vandalia) (10-5)

138:
• Aaron Sanor
Champ. Round 1: Won by fall over David James (Carmi-White County) (1:06)
Cons. Round 2: Won by fall over Chase Heimann (Breese Central) (0:13)
Cons. Semi: Lost by fall to Owen Griffen (Oblong) (3:24)

144:
• Isaiah Kasinger
Champ. Round 1: Won by fall over Brody Shellabarger (Vandalia) (2:00)
Cons. Round 2: Won by tech fall over Micah Jones (Carterville) (3:14)
Cons. Semi: Lost by major decision to Samuel Dial (Olney) (15-6)

150:
• Isaiah Hall
Quarterfinal: Lost by fall to Jazz Duckworth (Carmi-White County) (2:39)
Cons. Semi: Lost by fall to Nic Masterson (Fairfield) (0:18)

165:
• Johnny Askren (3rd place)
Quarterfinal: Won by fall over Randy Fuqua (Johnston City) (2:47)
Semifinal: Lost by tech fall to Parker Ray (Vandalia) (1:37)
3rd Place Match: Won by fall over Branson Burnett (Carmi-White County) (1:22)

175:
• Paul-Ray Garrett
Champ. Round 1: Won by fall over Hayden White (Carmi-White County) (5:20)
Cons. Round 2: Lost by fall to Noah Fonner (Paris) (1:45)

215:
• Lukas Madlam (4th place)
Quarterfinal: Won by fall over Joseph Hercules (Johnston City) (3:16)
Semifinal: Lost by fall to Zander Schrader (Olney) (0:28)
3rd Place Match: Lost by fall to Brody Beckmann (Breese Central) (1:24)

285:
• Carter Pyatt (4th place)
Quarterfinal: Won by fall over Luke Pruett (Breese Central) (0:57)
Semifinal: Lost by major decision to Bentley Rogers (Fairfield) (13-3)
3rd Place Match: Lost by tech fall to Jeremiah Bouchard (Carterville) (4:06)