Loss to top seed in semifinals forces Quincy’s Uppinghouse to focus on third-place medal

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Quincy High School’s Owen Uppinghouse hopes of winning a state championship game to an end on Friday night. 

Now, the focus is on capturing a third-place medal.

Uppinghouse lost to undefeated and top-seeded Ethan Stiles of Conant by pinfall in 3:03 in the semifinals of the 160-pound division in the Illinois High School Association Class 3A individual state wrestling tournament. Uppinghouse (43-2) now falls into the consolation bracket and will meet either Downers Grove South’s Luke Swan or Royce Lopez of Warren.

If he wins that match, Uppinghouse will wrestle for third place.

Uppinghouse started his day by defeating Aaron Hernandez of Hersey by technical fall in 3:27 in the quarterfinals.

Bryor Newbold, Quincy’s other representative at the state meet, was eliminated with one victory and two losses in the 182-pound bracket. He finished with a 41-10 record.

Newbold defeated Caleb Baczek of Libertyville 5-0 in the consolation bracket on Friday morning, but lost Friday afternoon to Matty Lapacek of Downers Grown South 5-3.

Two Macomb wrestlers will in the the consolation bracket of their respective weight classes in the Class 1A tournament.

Ethan Ladd is still alive in the consolation bracket at 220 pounds after defeating Drake Dearth of Coal City 1-0. He meets Craig Markello of Robinson on Saturday and needs three victories Saturday to claim third place. Ladd now has a record of 49-7.

Max Ryner also stayed alive in the 195-pound division. Ryner (50-5) pinned Vandalia’s Wyatt Dothager in 2:49, then decisioned William Blue of Taylorville 7-3. Next up for Ryner on Saturday is Eddie Solis of Marengo. Ryner also needs three victories on Saturday to win the third-place medal.

Carter Hoge lost his consolation match at 152 pounds to Landin Benson of Coal City by pinfall in 4:22. Hoge’s season ends with a 45-10 record.