Two 'Dogs move on to State

Kyle Cavender (21-4) had Harrisburg's best finish of the day, finishing second after losing to Hoopeston's Ezra Elliott (37-0) in the championship bout Saturday afternoon at Carterville High School.

Cavender started his day with a first-round bye and then knocked off Monticelo's Austin McConaha by a 13-6 decision. Cavender then won a 10-0 major decision over Carterville's Matt Jones to get to the finals.

Kody Cavender (34-6) also advanced to the state tournament, losing in the third-place bout to Unity's Pate Eastin.

Cavender got a first-round bye and then lost to Anna-Jonesboro's Nate Kisat. Cavender then beat Carterville's Kaleb Ward, before losing to Eastin in a 7-6 decision in the third-place match.

Landon Hicks (23-8) who wrestled in the 120-pound weight class, beat Oakwood's Brian Reagan in the first round and then lost to Pinckneyville's Ryder Pason. Hicks then beat Anna-Jonesboro's David Kester, before falling to Robinson's Elliott Stifle.

Brandyn Whiting (18-15) wrestled in the 152-pound weight class and lost his first-round matchup to Vandalia's Bradyn Kasier and then lost to West Frankfort's Caleb Gaylor.

Tucker Bryant (19-14) was Harrisburg's other wrestler at the IHSA Sectional. In the 220-pound weight class, Bryant got the first round bye and then lost to Litchfield's Jefferson Thomas. Bryant then beat Lawrenceville's Jayden Miller, before losing to Hoopeston's Anthony Colunga.