It wasn’t the final outcome Apollo’s Kevin Lopez and Daviess County’s Jackson Stoner aspired for, falling in the finals of the 2026 KHSAA Wrestling State Championships, yet the duo emerged as two of the best wrestlers statewide in their respective weight classes.
The runner-up at 113, Lopez made quick work of Simon Kenton’s Kaiden Dauenbaugh (22-5), Oldham County’s Lukas Shuck (8-1), and Greenwood’s Thomas Sang (12-5), before outlasting Martin County’s Jeremy Mollett 4-3 in the semi-finals. In the finals, he lost to Union County’s Peyton Fowler 24-4.
“Kevin looked really good both days, upsetting some high-ranked kids,” Apollo Head Coach Courtney Johns said.
Lopez was joined by Jaxton Howard, who finished the weekend 3-3 at 120 – landing eighth on the podium.
“Jaxton Howard is only an eighth grader and is a kid who is wrestling with grown men and dominating them,” Johns said. “He finished the State Tournament 3-3 with a pin and two major decisions on really tough kids. I was really impressed with the way both kids wrestled at State. The duo made their mark in Kentucky wrestling, and that just shows the difference in what offseason work can do.”
Wrestling at 132, Stoner’s path to the finals saw him cruise past Montgomery County’s Daxton Baker (21-5), Fairdale’s Mohamed Talasow (16-7), and Conner’s Cordion Abernathy, before beating the reigning State Champion Corban Nance of Anderson County 19-9. In the finals, he fell to Union County’s Brennen Clifford 14-2, a rematch from this year’s Region 1 Tournament.
“This was so big to have a state finalist,” Daviess County Head Coach Colton Gonzalez said. “He just went out there and wrestled like he should. We have believed as a coaching staff that he belongs and deserves to be a top five, top three competitor. But for him to go out there, prove it, and actually do it was nice to accomplish and achieve.”
Stoner was joined this weekend by fellow Panthers Jah Patterson (1-2, 126), and Kaden Nichols (0-2, 165).
Owensboro’s Kameryis Rodriquez Cline just missed the podium at 157, finishing his outing 3-2. After dropping his first match, he won three straight matches in the consolation bracket, before losing a heartbreaker to Johnson Central’s Zac Scott. He finished the season 45-4.
“We are very proud of his performance,” Owensboro Head Coach Griffin Kelley said. “Losing the first match and fighting all the way back to the second day shows a lot of toughness and growth. He exceeded projections and proved he can compete with the top wrestlers in Kentucky. This was a great step forward for both Kam and our program.”
Owensboro Catholic was represented by Thomas Brauer, who finished 2-2 at 157. The eighth grader won his opening match before falling into the consolation bracket. He won his third match 5-2 over Nelson County’s Jaxon Cox, but his tournament run came to an end against Ryle’s Callen Schmidt.
“Teddy had a great showing in his first trip to the State Tournament, and we are all proud of his effort,” Owensboro Catholic Head Coach Matt Allen said. “Not a bad season either, finishing 26-2 at Varsity and a KHSAA Region 1 champion at 157 pounds and Owensboro Catholic’s first ever state qualifier. It has been a fun ride this season watching Teddy reach his goals and set the bar for the rest of the team.”
