Region Eight wrestling: Leading the way: Golden Eagles hold on to title; Boyd, Ashland send multiple wrestlers to State
· Yahoo Sports
PIKEVILLE Johnson Central continued its stranglehold on Region Eight wrestling Saturday, but the other programs continue to make strides.{/span}
The Golden Eagles claimed another team title, defeating second-place Martin County by 14 points. Boyd County and Ashland finished third and fourth, respectively.
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Johnson Central recorded three individual region championships, six runner-up finishes and will send 13 wrestlers to the state meet in Lexington this weekend. Carson Matney (120 pounds), Ryan Smith (138) and James Morris (144) stood atop the championship podium at Pike County Central High School.
Boyd County had eight competitors move on to State, along with one alternate, after another solid showing at the region. Tony Leader led the way again, claiming the 165-pound crown, while improving his season record to 39-1 and named Most Outstanding Wrestler.
“Tony has always led by example,” Boyd County coach Clayton McClelland said, “No one could ever question his character. It’s his ability to continue to work on his craft, and he continues to put in the time in and outside of the season. The results on the mat show that work ethic.”
Bentley Brown pinned Johnson Central’s Landon Howard to win the 132-pound championship. Chase Gillum won by decision in the 150-pound final. Jace Bowling, Kaiden Diaz, Kaiden Nottingham, Cayden Thompson and Cameron Thompson secured state spots for the Lions. Cameron Thompson ended his day as runner-up in the 285-pound division.
McClelland believes the program’s experience on the big stage enables them to confidently pursue their goals.
“It definitely helps,” McClelland said. “Most of these kids that are going back to the state tournament have been there two or three times before. They are pushing themselves in the regular season to get ready. It’s the life of our program, leaning on that experience.
“Next year, when we transition,” he added, “we will be youthful. We lose a lot out of this class. It’s something that we want to prepare them for now to get ready for next year.”
Ashland will send five wrestlers to the state tournament, including the region champion duo of Wyatt Riley and Nathaniel Williams.
Williams collected all four region wins by fall on his way to defeating Martin County’s James Begley in the 175-pound final. Riley stood on top of the winner’s podium after winning the 285-pound division. Taner Woodman finished in second place at 150 pounds. Cameron Burnside (215 pounds) and Branden McGee (190 pounds) advanced to State with top-four region finishes.
“I could not be happier with their performance Saturday,” Ashland coach Butch Scarberry said. “We finished in fourth place with only six wrestlers behind three really good teams.”
Eighth graders Braxton Bradford and Liam Skinner will represent Rowan County at the state tournament. Skinner won the 126-pound region title. East Carter (Dylan Burton and Parker Fouch), Paintsville (Jace Hunter and Carter Lauffer), Greenup County (Hunter Crabtree and David Craig), and West Carter (Peyton Walker) will also have wrestlers on the state mat.
The state tournament begins today at the Alltech Arena in Lexington and continues through Saturday.