The 2026 wrestling season kicked off over the weekend, and area teams are all hoping to take a step forward this year. Here’s a look at what the coaches said about their teams.
Apollo: Apollo enters this season with 11 starters from last year’s boys’ team including Kevin Lopez, Brayden Mattingly, Jaxton Howard, and Clayton Pendley.
The girls team has seen an uptick in numbers, entering the year with 10 athletes compared to six a year ago. Seriah Turner leads the way, while Head Coach Courtney Johns said sophomore Nee Song has been looking really solid. Crystal Souza has transferred from Missouri, and Johns stated he believes she will do fairly well for the team.
“I want us to return to the state dual tournament,” Johns said. “As a team, I would like to see us finish top five regional tournament. Individually, I want to see us have five to six kids reach the State Tournament, which I think we have the potential to do.”
Daviess County: Now in his second season as the head coach of Daviess County, Colton Gonzalez is ready for his program to take the next step. Last year, Jackson Stoner, Jah Patterson, and Kaden Nichols all qualified for state, while Kali Nichols became Daviess County’s first-ever state finalist, finishing runner-up.
Stoner, Patterson, and Nichols all return for the Panthers and are joined by Aiden Ranburger and Aiden Elliot. Koby Nichols is also back, having recovered from last year’s injuries.
For the Lady Panthers, Nichols returns alongside Kaylee Klee, who also reached the State Tournament a year ago.
“I would like to have a pretty big record-breaking season,” Gonzalez said. “I want us to qualify the most student athletes we’ve had to date. I think we tied that number, bringing five last year to state.”
Owensboro: Once again, the Red Devils’ wrestling program enters the season with more than 20 members, and around 10 of the 14 weight classes are filled on the boys’ side. Kameryis Rodriquez Cline and Isrell Roberts lead the way and are joined by Adam Quintana Melton, who Head Coach Griffen Kelley is looking to take a step forward.
On the girls’ side, Graycen Roberts has emerged as a leader, and she is joined by new faces in Karma Grant and Flavia Sales Perez.
“I really just want them to be consistent,” Head Coach Griffin Kelley said. “Just keep doing the little things right, showing up each day, and having good character.”
Owensboro Catholic: The Aces return the majority of last year’s roster and are still awaiting a few athletes from the football team. Teddy Brauer, Sam Brauer, and Tristan French all return and are joined by Simon Thompson, who missed the majority of last year due to injury.
Owensboro Catholic will also be seeing an infusion of youth, including freshman Logan Mongold and some new faces from the football team. Owensboro Catholic Head Coach Matt Allen has been pleased with Mongold’s offseason and acknowledged he is expecting big things from him.
“First and foremost, everything we do is setting us up for the regional tournament and getting these kids to the State Tournament,” Allen said. “I would love to see some of these wrestlers finish top four in Region One, which is an extremely difficult task. Our region has proved to be the toughest region year after year. Even with those obstacles in the way, I foresee us coming out and sending several kids to state this year.”
Trinity (Whitesville): In only the program’s second year, Trinity (Whitesville) has added two new members to this year’s team, including the school’s first-ever girl wrestler in Kali Patton.
The boys return all but one athlete from a year ago including sophomores Tristan Ward and John Hamilton, and Head Coach Curtis Martinson has been pleased with the amount of effort they have put in this offseason.
“After last season ended, I suggested they take a break before getting back to work. They shocked me by saying, let’s get to work on Monday,” Trinity (Whitesville) Head Coach Curtis Martinson said. “So, we got right back to work. They are dedicated, work hard, and don’t miss anything. You can’t ask for more.”
