Isaac Decker represents Railer Nation at the 2023 Illinois State
Wrestling Finals
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[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.
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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.
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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] |