QJHS wrestler Smith wins state championship

DEKALB, Ill. — Quincy Junior High School’s Todd Smith won the Class AA 275-pound state wrestling championship last weekend at the Illinois Elementary School Association state tournament at the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center.

Smith pinned three consecutive opponents — DeKlab Huntley’s Will Bryant in 53 seconds, Lake Zurich North’s Julian Buller in 1:14 and Vernon Hills’ Leviticus Williams in 3:12 — to reach the title match. In the championship, Smith beat Minooka’s Robbie Murphy 7-3.