Students, teachers and staff at Cambridge Lakes Charter School in Pingree Grove cheered three members of the CLCS Coyotes wrestling team on Friday morning, before they left to compete at the state wrestling meet at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.
The Pingree Grove Fire Department fire truck and Pingree Grove Police Department vehicles participated in the parade around the school that honored the students.
The three CLCS wrestlers are: eighth grade students Victor Perez and Darius Nguepi, both of Pingree Grove, and sixth grade student Logan Witt of Gilberts.
“The Coyotes wrestling team started three years ago,” said Michelle Witt, Logan’s mother. “In the first year, one student was sent to the state competition. Last year, two students competed. This year, we sent three students to the state meet. They have worked hard all season, and they did well. The Coyotes beat some schools that are twice our size. We sent 11 students to regionals, and we placed fifth overall.”
According to CLCS officials, Perez qualified for State with a 3rd place win in his weight class. Nguepi won 1st place in his weight class and is the first Coyote athlete to qualify for State in three different sports. Witt is a two-time regional and sectional champion.
Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
