Isaac Decker represents Railer Nation at the 2023 Illinois State Wrestling Finals

 

[February 21, 2023] 

Over the course of three days, 672 Wrestlers entered three classes and 42 different weight divisions, competing to be the Champion of 16 man brackets where only six individuals take home a State Medal.

Issac Decker, wrestling for Lincoln Community High School, is not new to this tournament.

Decker qualified for the IWCOA State Wrestling finals as a sophomore when IHSA did not have the tournament due to the Coronavirus shut-down. The only difference between the two tournaments was the venue where each was held. The Springfield Capital Convention Center held the IWCOA State tournament during Covid. In 2023, the Tournament was held at the State Farm Center in Champaign.

This year, though an overwhelming experience for many, Decker was ready to go. His first match of the tournament was against a top program in Illinois; Aurora Christian’s #3 seeded Taythan Silva. After a very tough and hard-fought match, #3 seeded Silva edged out the win over Isaac to a 15-3 Major Decision.

Silva would go on to pin his next opponent in the second period, to defeat his opponent 23-8 in the Semifinals before being crowned the State Champion in the 2A finals of the 2023, 152 pound Wrestling Championship match.

Decker said he was happy with how he wrestled and had this to say about his opponent. “He was very strong, I wrestled well but was very limited in the things I could do”.

In Decker’s second match on Friday morning of the tournament, he faced off against Sophomore Steve Strelow from Oak Forrest. Strelow came out at Issac with everything he had. He was wrestling with an intensity and determination to become a state placer.

Decker, however, would not be strayed and battled hard and capitalized on Strelow’ s mistakes to win the match by Technical Fall in the Second Period 20-4. It was a stellar performance by Decker.

Decker advanced to the top 12 wrestlers in his weight class. The matches also set a milestone record for Decker and Lincoln Wrestling as he became the wrestler with the most wins in a season at 46, and the LCHS record of most varsity wins at 145.

Decker faced Aidan Potzma from Trinity Triad his next match. Potzma won his place in the state tournament by knocking off the No. 5 State Placer Aden Byal from Chatham Glenwood in the Sectional Tournament.

Decker came out and wrestled hard in a tough fought match. He fell short of advancing from the match losing to Potzma who was at the top of his game in the State Finals tournament.

Decker said “I did not place but I met my goal of winning at least one match at the State Tournament that I made at the beginning of the season. I have no regrets for my performance at the tournament”.

When asked about his overall tournament experience he had this to say. “This weekend was definitely an experience unlike any other. I was beyond excited, but super nervous. The entire time I was in the tunnel, I was anxiously waiting for my name to be called. I am very glad I was fortunate enough to have the experience, and I do not regret anything. It is definitely a weekend that I will remember for the rest of my life”.

Head Coach Justin Dietrich for Lincoln High School wrestling had this to say about Decker. “We’re really proud of Issac and his leadership this season. Picking up his final win (46) at the state tournament that broke Austin O’Donahue’s record was a great accomplishment.

Decker’s wrestling career prior to LCHS includes Lincoln Youth Wrestling Club championed by Walt Landers and the Lincoln Junior High Trojans coached by retired Head Coach Al Dawson.

After graduating from Lincoln Community High School, Decker plans to major in finance and play football for Illinois College in Jacksonville.

Lincoln Wrestling wishes Isaac great success in his future endeavors.

[Jason Lawrence]