With just two and a half weeks until the boys wrestling season officially gets underway with the first day of allowed practice, Vandalia senior wrestlers Preston Waughtel and Max Philpot have started receiving some preseason attention and recognition. Illinois Matmen recently released its Individual Preseason #1 Rankings by Weight. In Class 1A, Waughtel earned the #1 ranking at 132lbs while Philpot earned the #1 ranking at 144lbs. The pair were in action over the weekend as they competed in the Test of the Best 2026 held at IC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst. The showcase featured wrestlers from all three IHSA classes squaring off against each other. Waughtel got a win in his bout at 126lbs beating Kai Enos of Batavia (2A) by Decision, 16-4. Philpot, wrestling at 138lbs, lost to Jeffrey Dunaway of St. Charles East (3A) by Decision, 11-8. They now head into their senior seasons looking to run it back after Waughtel claimed the state championship at 126lbs and Philpot captured the state championship at 132lbs in 2026. Both athletes are two-time state champions with each also adding a 2nd place finish as well to both finish in the top 2 in each of their three years in high school.
