The 2014-2015 Downers Grove Wrestling season has officially come to a close. Junior Tyree Johnson finished in 6th place at 138 lbs earning All-State status. Johnson becomes the eighth Mustang wrestler in the last nine years to earn All-State in their respective weight class.
Johnson entered the tournament with a record of 31-6 and faced undefeated and #1 ranked Bobby Alexander from Conant HS. Johnson and Alexander battled and went into the 3rd period tied, when Alexander earned an escape and takedown to win 5-2. When Alexander won his next match, this gave Johnson a second chance in the wrestle backs. Johnson's road to the podium started with a rematch vs. a wrestler from Plainfield Central who had previously defeated Johnson in the season. Johnson jumped out to a 4-0 first period lead, and held on for the 7-3 win. Johnson then faced Brad Green from DeKalb and dominated from start to finish to earn the 7-0 and guarantee an All-State finish. Johnson then faced Qarin Jahnic from Wheaton-Warrenville South, who was a returning State Place-winner. Johnson earned the first points of the match, but Jahnic settled in and defeated Johnson. This put Johnson in the 5th place match vs. returning 3rd place finisher Andrew Merholz from Deerfield. The two wrestlers battled throughout the match and with the score tied at 1 with less than five seconds left, Johnson was called for a controversial head scissors to give Merholz one point and the win.
Although Johnson dropped the last match of the season, it was a memorable one for the Downers Grove South Junior. Johnson becomes the first Junior to place at the state tournament since two-time state place-winner Willie Anaya placed 3rd as a junior in 2012. Johnson has continued to improve each year and earning All-State in his first trip to Champaign will set him up for a run for a State Championship in 2016.
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