Following a strong performance at the Region 2 Tournament, several local wrestlers begin their quest for a state title today at the 2019 KHSAA State Wrestling Championships sponsored by Army ROTC. The two-day tournament will be held at Alltech Arena in Lexington.
Fifteen total individuals from Apollo, Trinity, Daviess County and Owensboro earned one of the four automatic bids in their respective weight classes to advance to state. Another five qualified as alternates with fifth-places finishes in the region.
Apollo leads the way locally with eight competitors, two of which finished in the Top 8 of their weight classes at the state tournament last season. Joseph Morgan (113) finished 8th, while Jake Insko (126) took 4th in the 2018 championships.
The Eagles had four wrestlers — Preston Mattingly (120), Jack Fuller (170), Morgan and Insko — who finished first in the region this year. Mattingly is undefeated this year with a 46-0 record. Also competing for Apollo are Samuel Ramirez (126), Cameron Baker (152), Travis Roby (145) and Cade Crume (220). David Gerkin (132) is an alternate.
The Eagles took third place in the Region 2 Tournament, and they nearly claimed the top spot despite having two less wrestlers than the top two teams. As a team, Apollo finished tied for 20th at state last year.
Trinity had a trio of individuals — Caleb Mills (195), Blaise Morris (160) and Briar Roberts (285) — advance with regional third-place finishes. Matthew Mills (152) is an alternate.
Daviess County also advanced three individuals. Landen Boone (138), Say Moe (285) and Conner Tolson (160) all took fourth place at region. Joseph Geralds (170) is an alternate.
Owensboro’s Jordan Neal (195) finished fourth in the region and is the team’s only automatic qualifier. Kadyn Davidson (160) and Andres Quintana (120) are both alternates.
There will be a full wrestle-back tournament in each weight class at the state tournament, which will be scored to eight places in each bracket. Trophies will be awarded to the top four teams and top eight individuals in each weight class. Alternates will only compete in the event that a seeded wrestler is not able to participate in the state tournament.
Schedule of Events
Friday
Session 1, 9:30 a.m. EST — Wrestling begins
-First Round Championship Bracket (8 mats, 224 matches, bouts 1-224)
-Second Round Championship Bracket (8 mats, 112 matches, bouts 225-336)
-First Round Consolation Bracket (8 mats, 112 matches, bouts 337-448)
-Second Round Consolation Bracket (8 mats, 112 matches, bouts 449-560)
-Third Round Championship Bracket (8 mats, 56 matches, bouts 561-616)
Saturday
Session 2, 9 a.m. EST — Wrestling begins
-Third Round Consolation Bracket (8 mats, 56 matches, bouts 617-672)
-Fourth Round Consolation Bracket (8 mats, 56 matches, bouts 673-728)
-Fourth Round Championship Bracket (semifinals) (4 mats, 28 matches, bouts 729-756)
-Fifth Round Consolation Bracket (4 mats, 28 matches, bouts 757-784)
-Sixth Round Consolation Bracket (4 mats, 28 matches, bouts 785-812)
Session 3, 3 p.m. EST — Medal and Championship rounds
-Consolation Bracket Finals (6 mats)
–Seventh Round Consolation Bracket (7th/8th place) (14 matches)
–Eighth Round Consolation Bracket (5th/6th place) (14 matches)
–Ninth Round Consolation Bracket (3rd/4th place) (14 matches)
-Championship Bracket Finals (1 mat, 14 matches)
Entries by school
| Apollo | ||||
| Name | Weight Class | Grade | Record | Qualifying Place |
| Cameron Baker | 152 | 10 | 30-10 | 2nd |
| Cade Crume | 220 | 10 | 14-16 | 4th |
| Jack Fuller | 170 | 12 | 43-5 | 1st |
| Jake Insko | 138 | 11 | 41-3 | 1st |
| Preston Mattingly | 120 | 12 | 46-0 | 1st |
| Joseph Morgan | 113 | 12 | 36-8 | 1st |
| Samuel Ramirez | 126 | 12 | 24-7 | 2nd |
| Travis Roby | 145 | 12 | 24-23 | 3rd |
| David Gerkin* | 132 | 10 | 10-6 | 5th |
| Daviess County | ||||
| Landen Boone | 138 | 11 | 30-17 | 4th |
| Say Moe | 285 | 10 | 27-15 | 4th |
| Conner Tolson | 160 | 9 | 32-13 | 4th |
| Joseph Geralds* | 170 | 12 | 29-19 | 5th |
| Owensboro | ||||
| Jordan Neal | 195 | 11 | 28-24 | 4th |
| Kadyn Davidson* | 160 | 12 | 18-14 | 5th |
| Andres Quintana* | 120 | 9 | 13-28 | 5th |
| Trinity | ||||
| Caleb Mills | 195 | 12 | 34-7 | 3rd |
| Blaise Morris | 160 | 12 | 23-4 | 3rd |
| Briar Roberts | 285 | 12 | 34-5 | 3rd |
| Matthew Mills* | 152 | 12 | 32-5 | 5th |
| *Wrestlers who finished 5th at the regional meet only advance as alternates. | ||||
