Decided to give another update before getting on a plane tomorrow and being away from my computer for awhile. Still a lot of guesswork involved in predicting where some weights will look wrestler wise but some weight classes seem to be solidifying and in cases like 160 are starting to look extremely tough. If I have the team I will try to post Team Rankings in the next couple days, otherwise I will just have someone do the math for me, it's not that hard just time consuming
106
1. Zeke Escelera, Union County (1)
2. Austin Gibson, Christian County (UR)
3. Keaton Elliot, Calloway County (2)
4. Dylan Walls, Caldwell County (3)
5. Nathanial Jenkins, McCracken County (6)
6. Caige Clark, Ohio County (4)
With a KOB title and some wins over state level wrestlers Austin Gibson makes his rankings debut as a third name to throw in the hate against Elliot and Walls. I currently see this as a tight race between the three I mentioned as they compete for that second spot behind Escelera. Jenkins can slip in the top 4 on a good day.
113
1. Austin Grant-Hall, Christian County (1)
2. Gabe Adams, Union County (2)
3. Ethan Furtrell, Trigg County (UR)
4. Eli Peyton, McCracken County (3)
5. Colin Walls, Caldwell County (4)
6. Zander Bunch, Ohio County (6)
Few changes for this week outside of swapping Dubois and putting in Furtrell but the 4-6 spot appears to be closely contested. Also keep an eye on Paducah's Quinn Atnip.
120
1. Sam Bacon, Union County (UR)
2. Jakerion Merritt, Christian County (3@126)
3. Devonta Turner, Trigg County (3)
4. Ray Hamilton, Paducah Tilghman (4)
5. Ethan Wells, UHA (5)
6. Jack Probus, Ohio County (6)
Swapped in Bacon and Merritt but I don't see a reason to change their spot for now. Bacon has an outside shot at the state title, I was very impressed.
126
1. Dylan Martin, McCracken County (1)
2. Payne Carr, Union County (2)
3. Nick Dickerson, Calloway County (2@132)
4. Shane Grey, Ohio County (5)
5. Isaac Aguier, Trigg County (4)
6.
The top three at this weight are really tough. Four and Five are right next to each other, it's a toss up really. With the sixth spot I decided to just leave it blank because I couldn't decide between the remainder.
132
1. Saul Ervin, Union County (1)
2. Cameron Dearmond, Hoptown (2@138)
3. Ishmael Griffie, Christian County (3)
4. Jordan Snyder, Trigg County (UR)
5. David Conner, McCracken County (4)
6. Damien Crisp, Fort Campbell (5)
Dickerson moves down to 126, Dearmond comes down from 138 and appears pretty solid in the #2 spot for now
138
1. Bryce Sheffer, Union County (1)
2. Louie Regaldo, Fort Campbell (2@145)
3. Hunter Vlach, McCracken County (3)
4. Kaleb O'Campo, Caldwell County (5@145)
5. Timmie Dunham, Christian County (UR)
6.
Still couldn't find someone to finish out 138. It may be a little early but I will put Louie down here before he's actually made the drop. He is a potential state finals match up against Sheffer at this weight. Vlach hasn't had results in awhile so he can potentially be removed next rankings.
145
1. Chance Oxford, Union County (1)
2. Cameron Coleman, Christian County (UR)
3. Rey Vela, Fort Campbell (4@138)
4. Justin Crabtree, Trigg County (2@152)
5. Kestin McClain, McCracken County (3)
6. Jacob Kramer, Calloway County (4@152)
Behind Oxford is a really solid battle between 4-5 kids that should be good. McClain has a similar situation as Vlach
152
1. Micah Ervin, Union County (1)
2. Colin Stevens, Trigg County (4@160)
3. Klemmer Nicodemus, Ohio County (5)
4. Seth Slayton, Caldwell County (3)
5. Bailey Conley, Fort Campbell (6)
6. Kevonni Young, Hoptown (UR)
Stevens and Nicodemus are two young and solid coaches' kids I am excited to watch the next few year but Ervin is the top here, and also funnily a young tough coach's kid
160
1. Dylan Gray, Caldwell County (1)
2. Jack Hanes, Calloway County (2)
3. Corbin Ryder, Fort Campbell (3)
4. Antonio Abren, Christian County (5)
5. Landon Moore, Union County (UR)
6. Trevor Tilley, McCracken County (6)
We have a situation at 160 where 3, possibly even 4 people have shots at the podium as veteran Gray, Hanes, and Ryder have probably the closest and toughest 1-2-3 in most parts of the state let alone the region.
170
1. Diion Leavell, Christian County (1)
2. Matthias Ervin, Union County (2)
3. Ethan Tomerlin, Fort Campbell (4)
4. Kolby Morris, Hoptown (3)
5. John Predes, Caldwell County (5)
6. Connor Hideg, McCracken County (6)
Tomerling moves up with a win over Morris. I half expect Leavell and the other Christian County boys to drop come Christmas but we will see, until then he is #1 here. Hideg makes the 3rd in a row for McCracken
182
1. Avery Buckman, Union County (1)
2. Niko Bussell, Christian County (2)
3. Katayvon Anthony, Hoptown (3)
4. Colton Stoner, Trigg County (4)
5. Logan Deasal, McCracken County (5)
6. Dylan Bell, Calloway County (6)
No real results to report that I've seen. 1-2-3 remains extremely solid.
195
1. Ross Hicks, Union County (1)
2. Kjauwan Major, Christian County (2)
3. David Woods, Calloway County (2@220)
4. Raequan Lester, Paducah Tilghman (3)
5. Nautica Bonds, McCracken County (4)
6. Nick Owens, Hoptown (UR)
I'll keep Hicks at 195 but he has been wrestling at 220. Major and Woods are two major threats to unseat him in the region however. Speaking of Major I have noted that he hasn't wrestled since a DQ at KOB with Raven Knight in his place instead, eyes on that. Bonds like the other McCracken kids has a foot out the rankings door at the moment.
220
1. Chance Orr, Paducah Tilghman (1)
2. Colby Culver, Calloway County (2@285)
3. Deion Lane, Hoptown (4)
4. Michael Elkins, Christian County (5@285)
5. Sean Robles, Fort Campbell (6)
6. Jordan Ware, McCracken County (UR)
This weight is a bit of a mess at the moment because I am giving Orr one more week even though the word that he has quit seems reliable. Personally if I was talking to Orr I would advise him very strongly against such a decision but at the end of the day we can never make decisions for someone. Next week (maybe) expect a Culver #1 and a Fitzgerald #2. As for the rest of the weight I will try to figure it out
285
1. David Nikolao, Fort Campbell (1)
2. Payton Snyder, Union County (3)
3. Gavynn Davis, McCracken County (4)
4. Andrew Pottle, Ohio County (6)
5. Seth Riley, Christian County (UR)
6. Jay Emerson, Calloway County (UR)
Heavyweight is very empty right now, especially since Nikolao has yet to return to the mat. Technically Pottle is apparently competing at 220 but with heavyweight so open who knows
Team Rankings
1. Union County (52.5)
Another year, another virtually untouchable Union team. This may be one of the more complete teams Union has had since around 2013 or so. The definite state favorite right now led by long time studs in Saul Ervin and Bryce Sheffer amongst several other elite level wrestlers such as Chance Oxford, Avery Buckman, and newcomer Sam Bacon. The younger batch led by Zeke/Charles/Gavin Escelera and Micah Ervin shore up most remaining roster spots
2. Christian County (30)
I would say Christian County is one, maybe two, years away from contesting for the region title and a top 5 state finish. The young talent Christian County has is envied throughout the state with several young men such as Austin Grant-Hall and Niko Bussell who may finally break the Christian County state title drought sooner rather than later.
3. Fort Campbell (15.5)
I was honestly surprised the math placed Fort Campbell this highly but Fort Campbell does bring some truly elite wrestlers to the table this year. Speaking of title droughts Fort Campbell is seeking their first state champion since 1990, David Nikolao could potentially be the end of this title drought as one of the highest skilled heavy's I have personally seen come out of Kentucky. Besides Nikolao the likes of Louie Regaldo and Corbin Ryder should frighten any potential matchup in the state
4. McCracken County (14)
A lot of expectations got placed on McCracken this year by virtue of an elite coaching staff being brought in to an area rich with the resources through which one can build an elite program. If things fall into place then McCracken can be a dark horse threat for a trophy run at the regional tournament, if not this year then the following year. Whatever happens all eyes should be on McCracken for the near future.
5. Calloway County (13.5)
While sitting at 5th Calloway County is still well within striking distance of the coveted second place spot behind Union. Behind their state title threat in Colby Culver and several tough to elite wrestlers surrounding him such as Nick Dickerson, on a good day Calloway is a force to be reckoned with and on a bad day a force to be wary of. Behind them schools such as Trigg, Caldwell, and Hoptown are building up right behind them with talent and lots of potential.
6. Trigg County (10.5)
7. Caldwell County (9)
8. Hoptown (8.5)
9. Paducah Tilghman (7)
10. Ohio County (5.5)
11. UHA (0.5)
12. Mayfield (0)