Editor
Center Grove wrestlers added the Evansville Reitz Semistate team championship to their trophy case Saturday with 202.5 points, edging runner-up Brownsburg by 22 points. Whiteland was eighth with 36.5 points and one champion.
The Trojans competed with 12 wrestlers and qualified all dozen for the state finals. They also claimed two individual semistate blue ribbons.
CG junior Wyatt Krejsa (17-0) remains undefeated in the 135-pound class.
Whiteland junior Joey Butler (41-0) brought home a blue ribbon by defeating Evansville Reitz senior Odin Fortune in a close 132-pound final match, 3-1.
Perry Meridian placed third with 82.5 points in the IHSAA wrestling semistate Saturday at Warren Central. Roncalli was sixth with 67.5 points. Cathedral won the team title with 117 points.
At Warren Central, Roncalli senior Bryce Lowery remained undefeated in 40 matches by pinning junior Zach Lang of Hamilton Southeastern for the 152-pound title. Classmate Luke Hansen (40-0) stayed unbeaten by pinning senior Orian Foster of Connersville for the 195 crown.
The top four wrestlers in each weight class qualified for the upcoming IHSAA state finals Friday and Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Southside qualifiers (placement in semistate):
Center Grove (12): Champions-Charlie LaRocca, 113 pounds; Wyatt Krejsa, 145. Second-Reese Courtney, 138; Silas Stits, 152; Andre Merrill, 160; Julian Weems, 182. Third, Noah Clouser, 170; Nate Johnson, 220; Tyler Schott, 285. Fourth-Eddie Goss, 120; Hyatt Yeager, 126; Kaden McConnell, 195.
Perry Meridian (4): Champions-Hurai Lian, 106; RJ Taylor, 113. Second-Keaton Morton, 132. Fourth-Zach Huckaby, 160.
Roncalli (2): Champions-Bryce Lowery, 152; Luke Hansen, 195.
Whiteland (1): Champion-Joey Butler, 132.
Beech Grove (1): Fourth-John Broadwell, 285.
Admission (reserve seats only) to the state finals is $15 per session; $25 for all three sessions with tickets digitally only through mobile phone via Ticketmaster.com (service fee). Sessions begin Friday at 1:30 p.m., Saturday at 9 a.m. with consolations at 4:30 p.m. and title matches at 7:30 p.m.
Info: ihsaa.org.