Five Galesburg wrestlers will compete at the Illinois High School Association boys wrestling sectionals Feb. 13–14 following strong performances in recent postseason meets.
The qualifiers earned conference medals at the Western Big 6 Conference meet Jan. 24 before advancing through IHSA regional competition Jan. 31.
“I am thrilled for this group of five as they became conference medalists one weekend and sectional qualifiers the next,” Galesburg coach Greg Leibach said. “There was a lot of impressive grit and determination from our boys in the semifinal and third-place matches — moments I’ll remember.”
Leibach said he hopes the wrestlers take pride in their accomplishments but emphasized the postseason journey is not finished. Competition at the Geneseo sectional will determine which wrestlers advance to the IHSA state finals.
Western Big 6 Conference Tournament
Team finish: Fifth of eight teams
• Landon Darst — third, 132 pounds
• Jack Bernardi — second, 157
• Anthony Makwala — second, 165
• Mason Taylor — third, 175
• Cale Johnson — second, 190
IHSA boys regional at Sterling
Team finish: Fifth of eight teams
• Landon Darst — third, 132
• Jack Bernardi — third, 157
• Anthony Makwala — second, 165
• Mason Taylor — third, 175
• Cale Johnson — second, 190
It didn’t take long for the Silver Streaks to get back on track after a tough weekend loss in Quincy.
The Galesburg girls basketball team rolled past LaSalle-Peru 66-29 in a nonconference game Monday night, Feb. 2, in LaSalle.
The win improved Galesburg to 23-3 as the Silver Streaks head into their final three regular-season games, all against Western Big 6 Conference opponents. Galesburg hosts Geneseo at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, before closing the home schedule with a 1:30 p.m. game Friday, Feb. 7, against United Township. The Streaks travel to Rock Island on Feb. 12 before IHSA regional play begins Feb. 14.
Against LaSalle-Peru (9-13), Galesburg showed how its pressure defense can create turnovers and easy scoring opportunities. After the Lady Cavaliers tied the game at 4-4 early in the first quarter, the Silver Streaks turned up the pressure and closed the period on a 19-3 run.
LaSalle-Peru never mounted a serious challenge after that. Galesburg outscored the Lady Cavs 16-2 in the second quarter, even as several reserves saw extended playing time, to take a commanding lead into halftime.
The Lady Cavs had a brief scoring surge midway through the third quarter, but the Silver Streaks already led by more than 30 points. Galesburg continued to extend the margin with a 15-2 fourth quarter fueled largely by reserve players.
With three games remaining, the Streaks are one game behind Quincy in the Western Big 6 standings. The teams split their season series, with each winning at home.
