To my knowledge the random draw has not yet been determined so I will be going into this without brackets. But I am gonna to do short write ups for each team concerning their chances at state
1. Union County
Qualified- 14 Wrestlers
Potential Placers- 10
Potential Champs- 3
Key Weight- 138
Union qualifies their entire team as a good start for their attempt to topple Campbell County and win a state title. They have likely state placers at every weight except for 160, 170, 195, and 220. Even then those wrestlers have more then enough talent to score some points at the tourny. Union's big 3 of Ervin, Blackwell, and Carr should each win state titles and have a fairly easy run to the finals. Jayce has to be on the look out for the ever tough Paul Hamilton in a key matchup for the state title run.
2. Fort Campbell
Qualified- 5 Wrestlers
Potential Placers- 4
Potential Champs- 0 (but 2 potential finalists)
Key Weight- 138
While not having the regional tournament I expected them to, Fort Campbell was able to come through at the end and finish second. They qualify all but two members of their core group and all but their 220 (who is talented but only a first year wrestler) could place if they wrestle their A game. Haywood is one of those wrestlers who are either all in or all out and two years pulled off some exciting wins at the state tourny. Sahms is a returning placer and has the potential to reach the state finals depending on his draw. Ryder has some impressive results (Mink for example) and is definately one to watch
3. Christian County
Qualified- 8 Wrestlers
Potential Placers- 3
Potential Champs- 1
Key Weight- 145
You couldn't ask more of Christian County's wrestlers at the regional tourny today. They pulled off almost every win they needed to and came just short of a second place finish. They send a very sizable contigent led by Polley, Austin, and Matlock. All 3 of these wrestlers could find themselves in the finals depending on their draw with Polley having by far the best chance of a state title out of the group. Polley's lack of wrestling throughout the season seems to be hurting him alittle bit but he is still a hell of a wrestler and I want to see him win the title.
4. Ohio County
Qualified- 6 Wrestlers
Potential Placers- 1
Potential Champs- 0
Key Weight- 220
I could definately be shorting Ohio's chances at the state tournament here but they strike me as having a group of wrestlers who are very good but not quite great. However, I have been wrong before and Ohio holds an impressive record of turning it on when needed (evidenced by Miller's run to the regional finals today). Kyle Bunch is the leader of this group and currently holds the best shot of placing out of the group.
5. Apollo
Qualified- 3 Wrestlers
Potential Placers- 1
Potential Champs- 1
Key Weight- 106
Apollo's regional tournament was very bittersweet. It seemed as soon one of their wrestlers would pull off a big win another win would choke away a good spot. Ward is the biggest name out of the group and in his second trip to state should have all of the jitters out of the way and be ready for a run at a state title. Williams and Duvall both can win a couple matches but I am a little skeptical of their placing chances. In all honesty though I considered DeWitt having a decent chance at placing so I won't be surprised if Williams slips into the top 8.
6. Paducah Tilghman
Qualified- 5 Wrestlers
Potential Placers- 0
Potential Champs- 0
Key Weight- 120
Paducah qualified just about every wrestler they could've, surprising me with some of their results. The only returning state qualifier on the team is Derek Miller thus he will be the tone setter for the team as a whole. They are about a year away from having a wrestler place at state but they still have a chance of turning in a good result at this years tournament.
7. Caldwell County
Qualified- 3 Wrestlers
Potential Placers- 3
Potential Champs- 1
Key Weight- 132
Agnew and Gilkey are both big names in the state. Gilkey has been on a tear as of late and is eyeing a top 3 spot at state, while I expect Agnew to finish in the top 5 but finds himself at the same weight as Kevin Cooper which is a pretty decent hinderance towards their title hopes. Gray finished 4th in an extremely tough region and if he gets a decent draw he could easily finish in the top 8.
8. Hopkinsville
Qualified- 3 Wrestlers
Potential Placers- 1
Potential Champs- 1
Key Weight- 106
Thacker made me look like a fool in my skepticism of his chances as he looked great en route to a region title. With such momentum coming out of a super tough region he has placed himself perfectly for a run at the state title. Jaschen is a very good wrestler and could definately turn in some decent results at state. Hoptown kids always seem to turn out impressive runs at the state tourny out of nowhere.
9. Trigg County
Qualified- 3 Wrestlers
Potential Placers- 2
Potential Champs- 1
Key Weight- 195
Kline and Stevens like Gilkey and Agnew are both good wrestlers with impressive resumes. Stevens has a very outside shot at state but the shot is there regardless. Gallogly once again finds himself at state but I am not making any comments regarding how he got there. He has state experiance and Trigg is relying on him to turn in a couple wins.
10. UHA
Qualified- 1 Wrestler
Potential Placers- 1
Potential Champs- 0
Key Weight- 160 of course
A very dissappointing end for an excellent career in regards to Wade Willen. You couldn't ask for a more consistent wrestler then Wade he turned in impressive results match after match and never failed to bring his A game. I expect huge things from him as he starts his college career. UHA does send Montgomery to state who is as talented as they come and is eyeing a top 3 spot at the state tourny.
11. Calloway County
Qualified- 3 Wrestlers
Potential Placers- 0
Potential Champs- 0
Key Weight- 138
Calloway sends a couple kids but their main goal should be gaining experiance for next year. Frank is talented enough to win a match or two and qualifying for the state tournament puts him well on the way towards a good run next year.
12. Daviess County
Qualified- 1 Wrestler
Potential Placers- 0
Potential Champs- 0
Key Weight- 170
It is hard to have a good year when so many of your best wrestlers get hurt throughout the year. A disappointing finish for Daviess for sure but they just have to look towards rebuilding for the future at this rate.
13. Graves County
Qualified- 1 Wrestler
Potential Placers- 0
Potential Champs- 0
Key Weight- 170
Graves is still a brand new team and not having the rare talent like Shane Speed will have its mark. A few more things go there way and Graves could've done a lot better at regionals, but they are set pretty well for next year regardless
14. Owensboro
Qualified- 0 Wrestlers
Potential Placers- N/A
Potential Champs- N/A
Key Weight- N/A
I will hand it to Owensboro they had a region placer when I thought that even that was out of their reach. We will see how they look a few years down the line
Good luck Region 1, show those Region 6 snobs how Southwestern Kentucky does it!