Macomb’s Ladd, Central’s Louderback take third at sectional, earn spots at state wrestling tourney

GENESEO, Ill. — A pair of local wrestlers finished third in their respective weight class at the Geneseo Sectional and will grapple at the girls state wrestling tournament.

Macomb’s Kelly Ladd and Camp Point Central’s Amber Louderback both rebounded from semifinal losses by winning their final two matches.

Ladd, a sophomore at 135 pounds who is a returning state qualifier, opened by pinning Minooka’s Eva Beck in 2:27 before suffering a third-period loss in the semifinals. She rebounded with a pin of Burlington Central’s Soraya Walikonis in 1:41 and a 12-3 major decision over Kankakee’s Makyala Jones in the third-place match.

Ladd takes a 29-5 record to state.

Louderback, a freshman at 125 pounds, won her first two matches by pinfall, sticking Rochester’s Joseylu Weber in 3:06 and Minooka’s Sophia Rausa in 1:36. After losing in the semifinals, Louderback earned another battle with Weber in the consolation semifinals, earning the pin in 3:24.

In the third-place match, Louderback scored a 9-0 major decision over Lincoln’s Ashley Villa. She now has a 26-24 record.

The girls state wrestling tournament is scheduled for Feb. 24-25 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.