Senior Tatum Allen has achieved the fifth most pins in a season in Sterling High School wrestling history during the 2025 season.
In 2004, Ben Zulauf achieved first with 32 pins. Second and third both with 31, In 1964 Dan Kraft in second, and Ben Zulauf again in 2003 in third with 31 pins. In fourth, Gage Tate had 26 pins in 2023, and finally 2025 with the fifth most pins, Allen with 25.
Allen has been wrestling since he was four years old with Mat Men, a little league for beginning wrestlers. Allen continued with Sauk Valley Wrestling before he reached middle school where he wrestled at Challand Middle School.
At C.M.S. in seventh grade, Allen defeated his opponents at sectionals and was prepared to head to state for 100 pounds. Unfortunately, COVID cases spread and the state tournament for wrestling was canceled.
At S.H.S., Allen was on the varsity wrestling team for three years and captain for two. Allen wrestled at 157 and 165 pounds for these seasons. Allen is known to be a motivating teammate and an overall exceptional athlete.
Allen explained, “I’m proud of myself and glad my hard work paid off.”
Allen’s teammate junior Elian Rascon shared, “He worked very hard and was very disciplined, he deserves it.”
Along with pulling off the fifth most pins in a season in S.H.S. history, he also was awarded with the Ryan Schafer Wrestling Scholarship.
The Ryan Schafer Wrestling Scholarship is awarded to a wrestler who displays the traits of Ryan Schafer who was a respectful person, a loyal friend, and a humble winner.
Allen’s 2025 season record was 30-16 at 157 pounds and 83 percent of the matches Allen won were by a pin.
