CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When East ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ junior Pierre Walton slammed his opponent onto the mat and scrambled for the pin, the weight of 82 years came down with him.
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Scenes from the 2025 Illinois boys wrestling state championship meet
The grand march before the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
East ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ junior Pierre Walton gets his arm raised during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Wood River senior Drake Champlin celebrates during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
East ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ assistant coach Rayvon Foley celebrates after East ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ junior Pierre Walton win during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Belleville East junior Jonathan Rulo completed a 35-0 season by winning the Class 3A heavyweight championship February 22 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Belleville East junior Jonathan Rulo (right) battles against Round Lake senior William Cole during the Class 3A heavyweight championship February 22 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill. Rulo is the Post-Dispatch All-Metro boys wrestler of the year.
Lemont junior Judah Heeg celebrates during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
East ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ junior Pierre Walton pulls his opponent down during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Belleville East junior Jonathan Rulo grapples with his opponent during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Belleville East junior Jonathan Rulo (right) points out the video board to his coaches during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Waterloo sophomore Jaxson Mathenia sits on the mat during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Wood River senior Drake Champlin gets his hands raised during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Wrestlers are introduced before the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
East ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ coach Steven Doty celebrates with East ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ junior Pierre Walton during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Wood River senior Drake Champlin pushes his opponent during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
A disco ball hangs above the three mats before the IHSA wrestling state championship tournament on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Edwardsville junior Roman Janek calls for an injury timeout during the IHSA wrestling state championship tournament on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Edwardsville junior Roman Janek circles his opponent during the IHSA wrestling state championship tournament on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Red Bud freshman Danny Jackson gets his hand raised after a third-place finish during the IHSA wrestling state championship tournament on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Red Bud freshman Danny Jackson scores points during the IHSA wrestling state championship tournament on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Belleville East junior Jonathan Rulo grapples with his opponent during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Vandalia senior Tyson Waughtel celebrates during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Civic Memorial senior Bradley Ruckman attempts to score points during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Mascoutah junior Brock Ross gets taken down during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Waterloo sophomore Jaxson Mathenia escapes a takedown during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Mascoutah junior Brock Ross looks to score points during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
A fan with a shark head cheers during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Mascoutah junior Brock Ross attempts to escape a takedown by Providence Catholic freshman Justus Heeg during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Civic Memorial senior Bradley Ruckman stands on his head during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Wood River senior Drake Champlin celebrates with his coaches during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Wood River senior Drake Champlin throws his opponent during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Waterloo sophomore Jaxson Mathenia attempts to score points during the IHSA wrestling state championship round on February 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
