Walsh makes history and signs to continue wrestling at McKendree

    Matthew Walsh continues to make history with the Central wrestling program.
    After a senior season where he became the first Central wrestler ever to qualify for the IHSA state finals, Walsh has now become the first ever Central wrestler to sign a college scholarship.
    Walsh made his college decision official on Wednesday, April 29, when he signed to continue his wrestling career at McKendree University, an NCAA Division II school located in Lebanon.Future Bearcat - Central senior Matthew Walsh, has signed to continue his wrestling career at McKendree University. PHOTO BY MATT WILSON
    "I think McKendree is a good school and the coaching is really good," Walsh said. "Overall, it's just a good school for careers."
    Central wrestling coach Brian Walsh, who is Matthew's father, said it was a big day for the Central program.
    "This is about eight years of hard work and to see it finally come to fruition is incredible," Brian Walsh said. "Four years ago, I didn't think this day was going to happen, but dedication, mat time and being resilient has paid off. It will be fun to see him stay in purple and be right down the road."
    Walsh wrestled at 150 pounds during his senior season. After a successful regular season, he opened the postseason by placing second in the regional at East Alton-Wood River. After receiving an opening-round bye, No. 2 seed Walsh beat Wood River's Matthew Woolverton by tech fall in the quarterfinals and beat Salem's Kade Orell by an 11-6 decision in the semifinals. Walsh lost to No. 1 seed Logan Riggs from Roxana by fall in the championship match.
    Walsh placed second during the sectional at Vandalia to qualify for state. He beat Taylorville's Lincoln Coffey by a 7-0 decision in the opening round, beat Benton's Peyton Robinson by a 12-0 major decision in the quarterfinals, and beat Sparta's Braxton Glode by a 3-2 decision in the semifinals. Walsh lost to Vandalia's Dade Kleinik by a 7-3 decision in the championship match.
    Walsh picked up his historic 100th career win during the sectional.
    In his first ever state appearance, Walsh lost to Preston Richards from Dixon by a 8-0 decision in the opening round and lost to Austin Kinser from Olympia by a 2-0 decision in the consolation bracket.
    Walsh finished his senior season with a 40-5 record.
    "Going to state was bitter sweet," Walsh said. "The amount of support I have gotten throughout all of my years has been amazing. Just the grind that it took, it really meant a lot to get to state this year."
    Walsh also qualified for the sectional his junior year after winning the regional at Roxana at 157 pounds.
    Walsh was the only Central wrestler his freshman year. The Central program has grown since then and now is a recognized school sport. It was previously a club sport.
    Walsh started wrestling his sixth grade year, but it was nothing serious until he came to Central.
    "Wrestling at Central for four years has meant a lot," Walsh said. "Nothing is really guaranteed, but being a part of this program means more than what people would think."
    Walsh said he is ready for the next step.
    "High school was fun, but I'm really excited for a new career, a new facility, just a new everything," Walsh said.
    Walsh said he is going to do a lot of private lessons over the summer to prepare for college wrestling. He also will be in the McKendree wrestling room along with getting trained by a couple of coaches.
    "I will probably be pretty active this summer," Walsh said.
    Matthew's older brother, Justin, is a middle linebacker for the McKendree football team.
    Brian Walsh said he hopes Matthew Walsh's signing will be a motivator for other wrestlers in the area.
    "These wrestlers can be like 'Hey, if he can do it, there is no reason I can't do it,'" Brian Walsh said. "It will give a lot of other kids another opportunity to try it."
    McKendree placed third in the NCAA Super Regional Championships in Oklahoma this past winter. The Bearcats had two regional champions and five national qualifiers. They won the Great Lakes Valley championship after a 22-13 win over the University of Indianapolis in the semifinals and a 20-18 win over Maryville in the championship. They finished with a 16-5 overall record.
    Walsh plans to major in education at McKendree.