Apollo’s Preston Mattingly became the first wrestling state champion in program history Saturday by taking down Ryle’s Shay Horton in a 7-2 decision.
The senior, competing in the 120-lb. weight class, finished the season 51-0 after winning five matches en route to his title at the 2019 KHSAA State Wrestling Championships sponsored by Army ROTC. He led Apollo to a 9th-place finish as a team.
Mattingly won the first two rounds Friday with a pair of quick pins, and his win by decision (8-1) in the quarterfinals earned him a spot in the semifinals Saturday. Mattingly beat Conner’s Sam Grandstaff in a 4-0 decision to earn his place in the championship match.
Jake Insko (138) took third place and Jack Fuller (170) earned fourth to add a pair of podium finishes for the Eagles. They both started the day with a loss in the semifinals of the championship bracket, but then won their next match to advance to the consolation finals.
In their final matches, Insko beat Union County’s Trevor Pogue in an 8-4 decision, while Fuller lost in a 10-5 decision to Scott’s Jared Kelsay.
Apollo’s Joseph Morgan (113), Samuel Ramirez (126) and Cameron Baker (152) all lost their third-round consolation matches on Saturday. The trio each won their opening match of the tournament before falling in Championship Round 2. With wins in the second round of consolation, they advanced to the second day.
Trinity’s Briar Roberts (285) also lost in the third round of consolation. Roberts lost his first match Friday but won in the first two rounds of consolation to advance to Saturday.
For full first round results, including all wrestlers from Apollo, Trinity, Daviess County and Owensboro, click here.
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
120 – Preston Mattingly – 1st place
Championship Semifinal – Mattingly won by decision (4-0) over Sam Grandstaff (Conner)
1st Place Match – Mattingly won by decision (7-2) over Shay Horton (Ryle)
138 – Jake Insko – 3rd place
Championship Semifinal – Jordan Bates (Boyle County) won by fall (5:21) over Insko
Consolation Semifinal – Insko won by decision (5-3) over Dylan Preston (Woodford County)
3rd Place Match – Insko won by decision (8-4) over Trevor Pogue (Union County)
170 – Jack Fuller – 4th place
Championship Semifinal – Clayton Boyd (Conner) won by fall (2:25) over Fuller
Consolation Semifinal – Fuller won by decision (5-4) over Elijah McCune (Meade County)
3rd Place Match – Jared Kelsay (Scott) won by decision (10-5) over Fuller
113 – Joseph Morgan
Consolation Round 3 – Ashur Jones (McCracken County) won by decision (7-4) over Morgan
126 – Samuel Ramirez
Consolation Round 3 – Eli Peyton (McCracken County) won by major decision (10-1) over Ramirez
152 – Cameron Baker
Consolation Round 3 – Keagan Hoffman (Fern Creek) won by fall (1:40) over Baker
285 – Briar Roberts
Consolation Round 3 – John Stone (Ashland Blazer) won by decision (10-4) over Roberts
