Coalers third in state

For the third time in four years the Coal City wrestling team has brought home a state trophy from the Class 1A dual meet held Saturday in Bloomington.

The Coalers upended Althoff Catholic from Bellevile 36-34 to claim third place, meaning the Coalers will add the state trophy beside a second place in 2016 and a third in 2015..

Coal City built a 30-19 lead thanks to three pins and one forfeit with four matches to go. After Alex Friddle won by forfet at 120 to make it 36-19, Belleville would have to pin the final three Coalers to get the victory. Coal City's Lane Kutemeier avoided the pin at 132, losing 7-2 to give Belleville only three team points and this a team victory for the Coalers.

Coal City made it to the Final Four by beating El Paso 40-22 in the quarterfinal round. In the semifinals, Aurora Christian spoiled things for Coal City with a 36-20 defeat, setting the Coalers up for the battle With Belleville to decide third place. Aurora Christian would go on to win the state champiosnhip with a 48-18 victory over Vandalia.