JOHN CURTIS - Daily Union Sports Editor
On the first day of the IHSA Class A State Wrestling Tournament, the Shelbyville Ram trio got two wins and two losses.
Jeff Gill (160 pounds) was a sectional runner-up, so he had to wrestle in the first session. He won 10-4, getting a take down and leading 2-1 after the first period. He came out of the second period leading 6-2, then finished out the match in control.
Buddy Holmes (103), a sectional champ, didn't wrestle until the quarterfinal round. He took on a wrestler who had to go in the morning session. That guy beat Holmes on points. Holmes must wait to see if the one who beat him keeps winning. If so, Holmes will get the chance to wrestle more.
Dalton Brown (135), also a sectional champ, started today in the quarterfinals. He got an early lead then got caught and turned on his back long enough to fall behind on points. However, in the second period he put his opponent in a cradle and stuck him at the 2:38 mark of the match for the win.
Brown will advance to the semis to take on the one guy who beat him this year. Brown lost 1-0 at the PORTA tourney earlier this season. The kid that beat him earlier in the year also wrestled today and won an a controversial overtime decision in the last few seconds to advance and face Brown again.
Gill wrestled in the quarterfinals but fell behind 2-1, then 3-1. He had a chance to tie the match in the last minute, but while he was working towards a take down, the official called him out of bounds, a border line call, at best. Gill had to start over for a take down and although he got his man to the mat couldn't establish control before the buzzer sounded. Gill also has to hope his man continues to win, to continue Gill's season.
*Watch for web updates from State and for photos.
