Potter wrestlers busy at Joe Bee Memorial

Morton was 10th Dec. 15 among 16 wrestling teams at the Joe Bee Memorial Tournament in Springfield.

The Potters' 68 points, which included a runner-up finish from Joe Geiger, gave them the most among the three Mid-Illini Conference teams entered.

Canton was 14th with 52 points, while Pekin was last with 35.

Geiger (10-4) was second to Ryan Marlett of LaSalle-Peru in 195 pounds.

The Morton grappler got to the final with a pin in the quarterfinals, followed by a 4-3 decision.

Potter Kartal Bakirdan (8-10) won four of his five matches on the day to place fifth in the 160 bracket.

After a quarterfinal setback, Bakirdan prevailed in his final three bouts, including a 7-3 decision over Chatham Glenwood's J.D. Roesch.

Gabe Pleasants and Clay Cone both were sixth-place recipients for Morton.

Pleasants (9-2) won back-to-back matches in 138, one of which was by pin, after a quarterfinal loss.

Cone (11-5) pinned both of his wrestleback competitors to reach the fifth-place bout in 182.

Brandon Bland, Brock Kelley, Cliff Yerby, Reid Butler and Josh Diggs also won at least once for the Ed Henderson-coached Potters.

Cahokia, with 190.5 points, had a 27.5-point margin over second-place Springfield for the team championship.

Back in action: Morton returned to the mat Thursday morning in a four-team gathering at Rock Island Alleman, ending a 12-day break from competition.

Besides the Potters and host Pioneers, Morris and Sterling also will be present.