Tony Wright submitted this report and photos of the MHS Wrestling team’s State Tournament performance.
Editor’s note: En route to Bloomington, IL, the team relaxed at Bass Pro Shop for a team photo with four “mustang” hobby horses. Left-to-right are Caleb Modglin, Eli Modglin, Caleb Carroll, Cael Wright, Patrick Schaefer, and Noah Stout.
The IHSA State Tournament is always wild and a privilege to compete/coach at. This year proved no different, on February 19-20, 2026. Early upsets, dark horse runs, defending State Champions losing, and so on. The intensity in the State Farm Center (forever known as Assembly Hall) is tangible. The tension is felt by competitors and fans alike, and it is a weekend filled with both triumphs and heartbreaks.
Four Mustangs (Caleb Modglin, Eli Modglin, and Noah Stout, and Cael Wright) qualified. They entered the weekend with aspirations and dreams of State titles and podium finishes. These individuals worked endlessly through this past off-season and were extremely dedicated in-season, to get to this point. Their extra work made deposits in the bank of competition, so they could hopefully earn the opportunity at State glory.
Noah Stout went 1-2 in his first trip to the big show. He wasted little time becoming accustomed to the stadium lights. In his first round match Stout faced Sam Shaw of Williamsville. Stout engaged Shaw immediately, snapping him to a front headlock and hitting a “twister” to secure a fall. His next two bouts would prove different. In the quarterfinals he faced Vandalia’s Ross Miller. Stout wrestled a tactical match against an opponent that had previously beaten him. Both wrestlers jockeyed for position. They each fought for an escape point, but could not take each other down. It wasn’t until overtime number two, where each wrestler gets a choice in a 30-second period, that anyone scored. Miller chose down in his period, earning an escape. Stout then chose down and was unable to get away, losing a heartbreaker to the eventual third place finisher. In wrestlebacks Stout would face a familiar foe in Landen Vanecia of Seneca. These two split victories over each other this year. Venecia struck first, scoring a takedown in the first period, adding another in the second period. Needing points, Stout went for one of his patented moves and missed. He would lose a 12-2 major decision, ending his season with a 45-10 record.
Left-to-right are Caleb Modglin, Cael Wright, Eli Modglin, and Tony Wright.
Caleb Modglin went 2-2 finishing his Junior season with a 44-7 record. Modglin opened the State Tournament with a dominant 11-4 decision of Roxana’s Logan Riggs (now a two-time State medalist.) Modglin gave up an early takedown to start the match, but quickly recovered to score a takedown of his own, before the first period ended. He would take control of the match with another takedown, before scoring a third takedown in the third period to seal the deal. Wrestling in the Quarterfinals Thursday night didn’t fare as well for Modglin. He faced eventual runner-up Clinton VerHeeke of Unity Christian. Modglin looked as if he would score early in a scramble, but VerHeeke was able to knock Modglin to a hip and catch him in a cradle for a pin, ending Modglin’s championship side run. Picking up the pieces on day two Modglin faced Johnsburg’s Tanner Hansen. Caleb would use his hand fighting skills in a very workmanlike fashion, to secure three takedowns and a 10-0 major decision. This set up a Saturday morning showdown in the bloodround with Preston Richards of Dixon. They had a tightly contested match in the Quarterfinals of the Sectional Tournament a week prior, with Modglin winning and setting up his State run. Richards struck first, changing levels and hitting a double leg takedown at the one-minute mark of the first period, to take a 3-0 lead. Richards added an escape in a second period that saw both wrestlers exert a lot of effort without scoring. In the third period things heated up; Richards scored another takedown in the first ten seconds and held a 7-0 lead. Modglin responded with an escape, followed by an immediate takedown of his own. He immediately cut Richards, and–with 50 seconds remaining–put a massive amount of pressure on his Dixon foe. Richards, defending and evading, was penalized for stalling twice in a 30-second time frame, making the score 8-6 in favor of Richards. Modglin continued to press, putting on a sprint of hand fighting and attacks, but Richards’s defense held onto a 9-7 lead, ending Modglin’s season and bid for a medal.
Like brother Caleb, Eli Modglin started off strong in the first round with a controlled 7-1 decision over Pedro Rangel of Oakwood. Their match was scoreless in the first period. Modglin scored a takedown halfway through the second period to open up the scoring for the match. Choosing bottom in the third period, he added an escape followed by another takedown, after warding off several of his opponent’s attacks securing a win. In the Quarterfinals Eli faced Lisle’s Alexander Ferrari (4th place medalist.) Ferrari–with his low center of gravity and strength–scored a takedown a minute into the first period. Modglin escaped and the two spent the rest of the period hand fighting. Modglin scored an escape in the second period and Ferrari scored a reversal in the third, along with a Modglin escape. Ferrari’s defense was too much; Modglin was unable to score, losing 5-3. In the second round of wrestlebacks Eli made light work of Olympia’s Tucker Garey. He scored several takedowns and some nearfalls to roll to a 13-1 major decision. This set up a showdown against Coal City’s #4 ranked and returning medalist Owen Peterson. Peterson took an early lead with a high crotch takedown in the first period. Modglin created a wild scramble where he almost caught Peterson in a defensive pin, before the period ended. In the second period Peterson got off another attack and locked up a cradle. Modglin somehow scrambled, putting Peterson to his back while locked in a cradle! Referees questioned the position thoroughly and held off awarding any points. Somehow Peterson held onto the cradle and muscled out of the position, scoring another takedown to take a 6-0 advantage. Down 7-0 early in the third period, Eli mounted his comeback scoring a takedown with a minute remaining. He immediately released Peterson and kept his pressure on with a barrage of attacks. Modglin scored one last takedown with only seconds left on the clock. It was not enough to overcome Peterson’s advantage, and he lost a heartbreaker 8-6. Modglin ended his season with a 46-5 record. (The previous Season record was 45, held by Colton Linke.)
Cael Wright’s State journey started slower than his teammates. He suffered a first round loss at the hands of Oakwood’s Weston Frazier (eventual runner-up.) Frazier’s frantic pace scored him two first-period takedowns, which Wright was unable to overcome, losing 10-1. Wright began his incredible marathon march through the wrestlebacks! On Friday he started with Coal City’s Tyson Price; Wright scored the first takedown and carried a 4-2 lead into the second period. Price chose down in the second period, giving Wright an opportunity to scoop up a chicken wing and pin his opponent. Wright’s road to a medal got even tougher. In round two of the wrestlebacks Wright faced Dixon’s Jack Ragan. Ragan defeated Wright 12-4 at dual team Sectionals a week-and-a-half ago. The first period went scoreless, with both competitors defending each other’s attacks. In period two Ragan got a reversal, and Wright escaped. Trailing 2-1 entering the third period, Cael chose bottom and tied the match at 2, in the first 20 seconds. Wright picked up his hand fighting pace, and Ragan counter-attacked. They got into a scramble: Wright gained control just long enough on the edge of the mat to score a takedown and the lead. With 55 seconds to go, Wright put on a ride in the top position. Ragan tried to roll with little time left on the clock. Wright was able to counter, putting Ragan to his back, scoring two nearfalls and securing a thrilling win. Saturday morning Wright faced Petersburg Porta’s Kainin Fillbright; he had tech-falled Wright earlier this season. Wright dictated the pace early and scored a takedown in the first minute. Fillbright escaped, and Wright kept his pace up. He went on the attack in short time, hitting a beautiful sweep dump, to score another first period takedown. Fillbright struck back in the second with a takedown, but Wright escaped and added his third takedown of the match. Wright’s lead was too much. He won a 12-4 major decision, putting himself in the medals, and he wasn’t done. In the Semifinal wrestleback match Wright faced Chase Vogel (below left with Wright) of Johnsburg. He had beaten Wright in overtime in the Semifinals of Sectionals the week before.
In a low-scoring tactical match, Vogel held a 1-0 lead going into the third period. Wright chose bottom and took over a minute to earn an escape to tie the match.
Wright nearly scored a takedown on the edge of the mat, and the two went back to the center with 15 seconds left in the match.
Vogel shot a low single on the whistle, and Wright countered with a downblock-go-behind to score a takedown.
Vogel attempted a desperation roll and, for a moment, looked as if he might catch Wright on his back.
Cael was able to turn down and hold onto an exhilarating 4-3 victory and put him into the third place match!
This matchup brought on Wright’s fourth-straight opponent that had beaten him earlier in the season. In this matchup he faced Dyllan Steele of Canton, an extremely tall and unorthodox wrestler. He entered the tournament undefeated and held a 12-2 major decision over Wright this season. Unaffected by prior results, Wright once again tactically navigated a scoreless first period, with each wrestler defending offensive attacks. Steele scored an early escape in the second period. At one point Wright got in on a leg attack. Steele awkwardly countered, almost scoring himself. Wright, with awareness of the situation, moved strategically to counter Steele’s counter. They fought here for almost a minute before the refs called for a stalemate. Entering the third period Wright chose neutral, not wanting to be underneath his lengthy opponent. Wright shot an outside single at the 1:30 mark; the two scrambled and fought for another minute, countering positions. Cael kept his ankles covered, limiting Steele’s options. After a long fight Wright was able to pop his head free and run the corner for the lead takedown. He put on a hard ride to finish the match 3-1 and earn a 3rd place finish. With that string of wins, Wright finished the season with a 47-9 record–staking claim to the “Most Individual Season Wins” in Mustang history!
Overall it was a great weekend and a privilege to be a part of! The State Tournament is the pinnacle of the High School Wrestling season. The Grand March is a spectacle, and the level of wrestling continues to get better and deeper. We Mustangs suffered some heartbreaking losses, and those are felt deeply. But like they are trained to do, these young men are already back to work pursuing greatness and State success, as next season has already begun.
Moreover, as a Coach I always want to bring back hardware. I am extremely proud of Cael’s accomplishment–and his incredible effort and performance–to earn a third place medal. However, as a Father this experience held more significance. The privilege to be in his corner, share in this journey, and witness his grit, perseverance, and humbleness was a real blessing! He hates the spotlight, loves to grind in obscurity, and wants his teammates to have as much success, or more, than he does.
Thank you for all the support from the Mustang Nation. For those that aren’t Mustang Wrestling fans yet, get on board. There are more great things to come!