Williamsville High School senior Sam Shaw set a new Tradition of Excellence for WHS on Saturday, February 14, 2026, as he became the first Bullets wrestler in school history to qualify for the IHSA State Championship Tournament.

Williamsville wrestling first hit the mat during the 1963–1964 school year, when Joe Coverdill started the program with nineteen wrestlers competing in the same gym where our high school and junior high programs wrestle today. The program continued the following school year but went dormant after Coach Coverdill left Williamsville following the 1965 school year.

Wrestling was revived in Williamsville when the district formed a cooperative agreement with Riverton beginning with the 2011–2012 school year. Williamsville student-athletes competed as Hawks under this co-op for the next twelve seasons before wrestling proudly returned to Williamsville High School in the 2023–2024 school year. During that time, several Williamsville wrestlers qualified for the IHSA State Tournament, but they competed under Riverton High School.

All of that changed on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

With a second-place finish at the Olympia Sectional in the 190-pound weight class, Sam earned his place in Bullets history by qualifying for the IHSA State Championship Tournament — becoming the first wrestler to do so while representing Williamsville High School.

Williamsville High School and the WCUSD #15 Athletic and Activity Department are incredibly proud of Sam and the dedication, perseverance, and hard work he has demonstrated over the past three years to reach this historic milestone. His achievement not only represents personal excellence but also marks a defining moment in the proud resurgence of Bullets wrestling.

We wish Sam the very best as he competes at the State Farm Center on the campus of the University of Illinois beginning Thursday, February 19.

Congratulations, Sam — and Go Bullets!

Three Bullet Wrestlers advanced to the IHSA 1A Olympia Sectional that will take place on Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14.

• Rhett Wilson - 113 lbs
• Owen Alderson - 175 lbs
• Sam Shaw - 190 lbs.