Season ends for wrestlers

Wrestlers from Corydon Central entered Saturday’s Jeffersonville Regional as underdogs.
Each of the three qualifying grapplers ‘ Seth Simmerman, Keith Murray and Robby Leuthart ‘ squared off against top seeds in their respective weight classes.
Eight slotted in each class, it was win or go home during the first-round bouts. Those taking the first round were assured a spot in next weekend’s Evansville Semi-state. Unfortunately for the Panthers, they failed to send a wrestler to the next series on the journey to the state final.
‘I felt like all three came out and competed well,’ said Corydon Central coach Eric Rowland. ‘They all wrestled hard and did the best they could. I was really proud of how they performed against the eventual regional champions.’
Locking up with Jennings County’s Cole Chandler at 160 pounds, Corydon Central’s Simmerman had his hands full. A little more than a minute into the match, Chandler had the upper hand and put Simmerman’s shoulders to the mat for a pin.
Simmerman’s season ended with an 8-19 record.
Corydon Central’s next opportunity came with Murray at 195. Jennings County’s Christian Redmond scored on a take-down 30 seconds into the first period. Murray, in the down position, fought to keep Redmond from turning him.
Redmond, however, ended up with the advantage in the second period, winning by pin, closing Murray’s mark at 18-13. Murray was the lone freshman to compete in the weight class.
At heavyweight, Leuthart closed first-round action on mat 2 at the recently renovated Johnson Arena. The 285 pounder nearly went the distance with Columbus East’s Sean Galligar.
Leuthart scored on an escape in the opening period but gave up a pair of take-downs to the Olympian. Galligar continued to control on the mat, leading 9-2 after two periods.
Galligar went on to close Leuthart’s campaign at a 10-10 record with a pin in the final minute.
It was the second appearance at regional for Leuthart, who last made the trek his freshman season. Leuthart and Simmerman are juniors.
All three wrestlers who put out the Panthers went on to win individual regional titles in their respective weight class.
‘Overall I am pleased with our wrestlers this season,’ Rowland said. ‘It was tough to lose our two seniors before the season started. It changed how we did everything. We had to change our practices a little and it was hard for the younger wrestlers to not have that leadership.’
Previous semi-state qualifiers ‘ Ezra Paden and Mason Kaufer ‘ missed their entire senior season with injuries.
‘We finished the season well and hopefully we will use that momentum to carry us into working hard in the off season to prepare for next year,’ Rowland said.
Within the team standings, Jennings County won the regional title with a cumulative total of 170 points. Columbus East (155) was the runner-up followed by Floyd Central (113).

Team scores ‘ 1. Jennings County 170, 2. Columbus East 155, 3. Floyd Central 113, 4. Jeffersonville 81, 5. New Albany 72, 6. Greensburg 56.5, 7. Columbus North 56, 8. Seymour 29, 9. Brown County 22, 10. Scottsburg 13, 11. Eastern (Pekin) 6.

Individual results ‘ 106: Rooks (CE) tech fall Antunez (JC) 19-3; 113: Craig (JC) dec. Schoenegge (CE) 3-2; 120: Rooks (CE) maj. dec. Peetz (CN) 8-0; 126: Combest (CE) dec. South (JC) 7-2; 132: Sellmer (FC) dec. Pollitt (CE) 7-3; 138: Wathen (JC) dec. Johnson (Sey) 3-1; 145: Crowl (FC) maj. dec. Davidson (CN) 9-1; 152: Herrin (JC) pinned Hauser (FC) 2:54; 160: Chandler (JC) dec. Chapman (CN) 4-2; 170: Fuller (Jeff) pinned Park (CE) 1:01; 182: Dial (BC) dec. Sonner (NA) 6-2; 195: Redmond (JC) dec. Philpot (FC) 4-3; 220: Cain (Green) tech fall Long (Jeff) 21-6; 285: Galligar (CE) dec. Sutton (JC) 4-2 OT.