Grapplers from Western, Kokomo, Tipton compete in inaugural IHSAA state tourney
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Six area grapplers qualified for the inaugural IHSAA Varsity Girls Wrestling State Finals on Jan. 15, writing their names into the Indiana athletics history books, and one of them stood on the championship podium at the dawn of a new age in the venerable sport.
Jade Chloe Johnson, one of four wrestlers from Western High School to make the finals, impressed as a freshman by fighting her way to a fifth-place finish in the 145 lbs. weight class.
Johnson entered the competition with a spotless 32-0 record and dispatched her first opponent, Elaine Leins of East Noble High School, by technical fall. She earned a 16-0 victory at the 4:48 mark of the match.
Johnson's second match ended the title run early, as she was pinned at the 3:55 mark by Leighna Prater of East Central High School. The loss pushed her into the consolation bracket.
Wrestling for bragging rights and a place on the podium, Johnson reeled off a pair of wins. She first pinned Eden Knight of Columbus East High School at 2:15 in the match, then broke Avionah Widner of Wheeler High School, forcing an injury default at 4:06 in the match. The run earned Johnson the fifth place spot on the podium and a 35-1 record for the season.
Unfortunately, the other five wrestlers from the Lantern coverage area were unable to fight their way out of the opening round, despite impressive regular-season success. Western High School had the strongest showing at the tournament, sending four wrestlers -- including Johnson -- to the meet.
Senior Rebekah McGuire (17-6) wrestled at 110 lbs., but lost by pin at 1:39 in the opening round to Reese Kasprzak of Lake Central High School.
Senior Regan McGuire (27-12) wrestled 115 lbs., but lost by pin at 0:34 in the opening round to Hailey Korporal of Eastbrook High School.
Freshman Ava Roe (21-5) wrestled at 140 lbs., but lost by pin at 3:07 in the opening round to Aubrey Belser of Franklin Community High School.
Tipton High School's Emersyn Adkins (26-4), a sophomore, wrestled at 170 lbs., but lost by pin at 5:22 in the opening round to Jacinda Brown of Fairfield High School.
Kokomo High School's Brielle Humphries (19-2), a senior, wrestled at 235 lbs., but lost by decision, 5-3, in the opening round to Keely Allen of Greenfield-Central High School.
See additional photos from the IHSAA Girls Varsity State Wrestling Finals, courtesy of Adam Hartsough, on the Lantern's Facebook page or group.