Dirksen Junior High Students Win at State Wrestling Meet

Congratulations to Dirksen Junior High School student athletes Jasper Harper and Kayden Miller who competed and placed at the 42nd annual Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) State Final Wrestling Tournament at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. (From left to right) Seventh-grade student Jasper Harper won the first place medal in the 135-pound weight class and sixth-grade student Kayden Miller came in fourth place in the 65-pound class.

"We are so very proud of both Jasper and Kayden for their hard work and dedication to being successful student-athletes," said Joliet Public Schools District 86 Physical Education, Health, and Athletics Program Coordinator Joel Sischo. "Both young men represented themselves and our school district very well at the IESA State Wrestling Tournament."

This is Jasper Harper's second appearance at the IESA State Wrestling Tournament. Last year, he came in sixth place. The students were coached by teachers Dr. Chris Hall (Dirksen Junior High), Dakota Jerzyk (Dirksen Junior High), Tim Jones (Hufford Junior High), and Jean Mondesir (Hufford Junior High). The students will also be recognized by the Joliet Public Schools District 86 Board of School Inspectors at their April meeting.