Seven Hamilton County wrestlers punched their tickets for next weekend’s IHSAA state meet after their performances at the New Castle semi-state on Saturday.
Carmel and Westfield both had three qualifiers for state, with Hamilton Southeastern advancing one wrestler to next week’s event at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. All three teams placed high in the team standing as well: The Greyhounds took fourth with 86.5 points, the Shamrocks were seventh by scoring 50.5 points, and the Royals finished in 11th with 32 points.
Carmel’s three state qualifiers were led by senior Robert Major, who won the 160-pound division. Major won his first three matches by fall, then beat Cathedral senior Andrew Wilson in a 9-1 major decision. With the victory, Major remains unbeaten for the season at 37-0.
The Greyhounds’ Isaac Ward was the runner-up at 113 pounds, while Brac Hooper finished third at 132 pounds.
Braxton Vest led the way for the Shamrocks by placing second at 120 pounds. Westfield’s other state qualifiers were Dylan Driver at 113 pounds and Mihail Platonov at 285 pounds; both finished third in their respective divisions.
Max Broom finished third at 195 pounds for the Royals, ensuring himself a place at state.
Perry Meridian won the team competition with 148 points, with Cathedral second by scoring 135 points. Warren Central took third with 125.
