The road to the state tournament at Assembly Hall in Champaign continues this weekend as the IHSA wrestling sectionals take place across Illinois.

In Class A, Herrin and Harrisburg came up big at regionals, each winning its respective competition to earn a place in the team duels following the state individual brackets.

"Most of us did pretty well," Herrin coach Kelsey Lewis said. "A few of us did a little better, a few did a little worse. We won, I can't really complain that much."

Tigers freshman Marshall Anderson won his 112-pound weight class, improving to 23-5 on the year. Standout Jake Holliday remained undefeated at 32-0 by winning the 119-pound class. At 152, returning state qualifier Casey Colp advances. In total, Herrin placed first or second in eight out of 14 classes.

"I think we've got a good chance of qualifying five kids for state," Lewis said. "Jake's been one of our top-ranked kids all season and is probably going to be one of the favorites. John (Kesler), who won the 145-pound class, is 32-2 and another favorite going in like Holliday."

Harrisburg beat out Benton, 203-181, to take the top spot in the Bulldogs' regional and nine of its wrestlers finished first or second to advance to the next round. The top three in each class advance to sectionals.

"We wrestled pretty well on the day and we were able to advance 12 out of 14 weight classes," Harrisburg coach Greg Langley said. "We've got seven seniors and they really provide great leadership and the way they approach things really rubs off on the younger guys."

Harrisburg's senior core includes standouts Joe Lane, Jeremy Gulley and Phillip Morgan. Junior John Fuller (23-7) has been a pleasant surprise in the 145-pound class.

"Those four have probably had the most successful year," Langley said. "I don't want to single anybody out, but they are probably the ones opposing teams focus on."

Benton has had success against Harrisburg twice this season in duel meets, but it's been a different story in tournaments.

"We had five champs (at regionals), but for whatever reason we don't match up well with Harrisburg in tournaments," Benton coach Neal Wilson said.

The Rangers are sending a school-record 11 wrestlers to sectionals, including a pair on the cusp of the century mark in victories. Junior Zach Wilson (33-1) in the 135-pound class and senior Casey Campbell (30-3) in the 152-pound class both have 99 wins.

"There's some good wrestling in Southern Illinois and we're slowly starting to catch up with the metro area and some teams up north," Wilson said. "We've been pleased with our season, but the competition keeps growing and growing."

Other wrestlers eyeing a state berth in Class A are Murphysboro's Jake Miller (103), Deven Tyrone (119), Michael Rodriguez (125), Josh Hale (130), Tarek Aldroubi (135), Shea Baker (140), Josh Easton (152) and Matt McLaughlin (285). Pinckneyville, Carterville, Anna-Jonesboro, Johnston City and West Frankfort are also sending representatives.

In Class AA, Carbondale is sending six to the next round, including freshman Alli Ragan in the 112-pound class. The Terriers finished second behind Mascoutah in the Effingham Regional.

"We had a terrible week of practice last week due to illness," Carbondale coach Dennis Ragan said. "I didn't know what to expect going into regionals, but thankfully the illness hit early in the week and the kids got healthier as the week went on."

Ragan points to seniors Morgan Krummrich (135 pounds) and Zach Lomax (145 pounds) as two who have really influenced Carbondale's season. Krummrich is 32-12 this season, while Lomax has gone 35-5.

"Zach has really had an excellent season," Ragan said. "He's one of the hardest-working kids in practice and Morgan has been counted on all year to win."

Others in Class AA vying for a chance at state are Marion's Seth Basler (103), Zach Luth (135), Aaron Schoenecke (140), Jack Mills (152) and Kyle Shea (171). Mount Vernon's Eric Pierce (119), Kyle Lonas (130), Jordan Echols (160) and Yonas Habtemariam (285) are also competing.

"Above all, I want to wish everybody in Southern Illinois a good tournament," Wilson said. "I want to see us do well and bring home some medals."