CHAMPAIGN — The Coal City varsity wrestling finished fifth last week at the St. Thomas More New Year's Challenge at Huff Hall at the University of Illinois. Seneca did not place.

The Coalers beat Benton 54-18, Bismark-Henning 63-6, Vandalia 43-24 and University 61-12 in Pool 5 competition. They then defeated Beardstown 57-15 and lost 40-29 to Plano before winning 37-31 over Litchfield for fifth place.

Cody Minnick (106/113), Casey Brown (126) and Ryan Naples (170/182) went 7-0 for the tournament for the Coalers. Jake Czaja (145) was perfect the 5 times he wrestled. Corey Jurzak (120) was 6-1. Terry Blondin (160) and Kenton Clayburn (220/285) compiled 5 wins. Ricky Benitez (106/113), Michael Czaja (152/160), Riley Kauzlaric (170/182) and Jake Frost (195/220) won 4 bouts. Dylan Pierard (138) and Brayden Barker (145/152) won 3 times. Jonah Englert (132) and Allen Potter (182/195) won twice.