By RICHARD TORRES
For The Reporter
NEW CASTLE – Fishers’ Chayce Yant hopped off the winner’s podium Saturday evening as a first-time New Castle Semi-state champion, and the 120-pounder immediately believed he could have done better.
Ranked 10th in the state, according to Indianamat, Yant entered the morning session inside New Castle Chrysler Fieldhouse on a mission, and even in victory, the junior knew there was more work ahead.
“It means a lot. Last year, I wasn’t able to make it out,” Yant said. “I’m glad that it went my way this year, but I don’t feel like I wrestled very good today. I still came out on top, so I’m excited for state.”
Last year, Yant fell one win short of advancing to the IHSAA wrestling state finals as a sophomore despite 31 victories to his credit.
With the top-four placers in each weight class moving on to state, Yant (39-3) wasn’t looking for a repeat of his sudden-victory loss during the quarterfinal round in 2023 – also known as the state tournament’s ticket round.
“That loss motivated me a lot. It kind of changed the way I looked at the sport. I took it a lot more seriously after that. I wanted it a lot more,” said Yant reflecting on his 10-8 overtime loss to Mt. Vernon’s Elijah Broady. “I didn’t really know what it felt like before that, so once I felt that I knew I had to come back and win it this year.”
Yant’s march towards first-place began with a forfeit win. His state qualification was punctuated with a pinfall in 5 minutes, 39 seconds against Perry Meridian’s 19th-ranked RJ Taylor (24-8) during the quarterfinals.
He moved into the title round following an 8-7 decision against Franklin Central’s 13th-ranked Richard Rogers (32-7) in the semifinals. He wrapped up the title with a 3-2 decision over Greenfield-Central’s Jeff McGuire (29-5), who is ranked 14th overall.
Joining Yant at state will be sophomore teammate Xavier Smith (37-3), a first-time state qualifier, who placed third at 165.
Noblesville’s Austin Hastings (40-2), who is ranked seventh in the state, qualified for his second straight state finals by winning the 285-pound semi-state title.
Hastings tallied two pins in 4:24 and 5:34 to qualify for state and won by decision 6-3 over Batesville’s Max Amberger (40-4) in the semifinals. Hastings seized the title with a 3-1 decision in the finals against eighth-ranked Hosia Smith (37-7) of Cathedral.
By meet’s end, Hamilton County had eight state qualifiers, including Noblesville freshman Aidan Kincaide (35-5), who placed second at 157.
Kincaide trains with Contenders Wrestling Academy in the offseason and has already earned an ISWA folkstyle state and middle school state championship in his career.
“It feels good, but the job is not over yet. Obviously, I didn’t do what I wanted to do today, but I’ll be preparing all week to get on top of that podium next weekend,” Kincaide said. “I approached it with confidence and trusting the Lord, knowing that He’s by my side and in every match.”
Kincaide scored three consecutive falls in 1:58, 0:31 and 2:34 before losing to fifth-ranked senior Anthony Cashman II (35-3) of Warren Central in sudden victory 4-2.
Much like his father, Brian Kincaide, a former standout and state-placing wrestler from Hobart, Aiden is making a name for himself early.
“I know my abilities. I know where I’m supposed to be, and honestly as a freshman, this is my year to show everyone I want to be here and stay,” Kincaide said.
For Yant, the sentiment is the same, except this time on the largest stage next weekend.
“I’m so proud of Chayce. I’m so proud of Xavier. They’ve just put in all the offseason work, and now it’s finally paying off,” Fishers head coach Cameron Diep said.
“He had a heartbreaker last year in overtime. For him to put in the offseason and come back and not give up or quit, it reveals a lot about his character. That kid is such a good kid.”
Hamilton Heights pushed three wrestlers through with senior Carson Fettig leading the group as a semi-state runner-up at 150.
The Huskies’ 11th-ranked Michael Cain (40-7) placed fourth at 157 to qualify for his first state finals, and fellow first-timer Isaac Kuhn (30-6), who is ranked 19th in the state, took fourth at 132.
Fettig (42-2) wasted little time in his first two matches to make a run at the title.
Fettig, who is ranked 16th in the state, scored a first-round pin in 1:33 to move into the quarterfinals where he won by major decision 14-5. In the semifinals, Fettig pinned Western Boone’s Mason Adams (30-6) in 47 seconds.
His march towards the championship narrowly ended in the finals against Roncalli’s eighth-ranked Braden Getz (38-3), who won by decision 5-4.
Guerin Catholic senior Peter Nguyen (33-4), who is ranked 14th in the state, became a three-time state qualifier with a fourth-place finish at 126 after posting back-to-back pins to move into the semifinal round.