2026 Evansville Semi-State Preview

106

In The Bracket (7 Ranked Wrestlers):

#3 Alex Huddleston-Brownsburg

#6 Joe Hamilton-Center Grove

#7 Cameron Schofield-Franklin Community

#13 Hunter Pierson-Floyd Central

#16 Kolten Land-Vincennes Lincoln

#17 Samuel Madsen-Evansville Mater Dei

#18 Nicholas Russell-Bloomington South

NR Aidan Butler-Indian Creek

NR Lucas Overton-Terre Haute South

NR Eli Meunier-Castle

NR Noah Goelz-Avon

NR Landon Smith-Whiteland Community

NR Quin Coleman-Gibson Southern

NR Dustin Collier-Charlestown

NR Angel Diaz-Jasper

NR Joel Smith-Columbus East

Weight Preview:

Brownsburg sophomore Alex Huddleston has finally grown into a full-sized 106-pounder and now looks to take home his first semi-state title this weekend. He will see a tough Samuel Madsen, Evansville Mater Dei, in the ticket round, a rematch from earlier this season in which Huddleston won 8-3. Huddleston should then see Bloomington South's Nicholas Russell in the semi-finals, as I do not see anyone in the first two rounds close to him. Up top, we should see a ticket round match between Center Grove's Joe Hamilton and Vincennes Lincoln's Kolten Land. I am taking Hamilton here just due to the results against common opponents. Below them, Franklin Community's Cam Schofield is another one who could win this weight this weekend. Schofield will have a tough path to do so, though, as he will have to get through Floyd Central's Hunter Pierson in the ticket round before setting up a rematch with Hamilton, where he lost 4-1.

2025 Champion: Traevon Ducking-Brownsburg 

Hoosiermat Top 4:

1st-Alex Huddleston-Brownsburg

2nd-Joe Hamilton-Center Grove

3rd-Cameron Schofield-Franklin Community

4th-Nicholas Russell-Bloomington South

113

In The Bracket (7 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Traevon Ducking-Brownsburg

#2 Kellen Schoeff-Plainfield

#3 Daniel Brown Jr.-Center Grove

#5 Spenser McCammon-Evansville Mater Dei

#7 Jaxsen Jean-Bloomington South

#10 Malachai Marlin-Decatur Central

#11 Broc Lillpop-Heritage Hills

NR Landon Yeager-Franklin Community

NR Karson Bachelder-Castle

NR Leonard Oatman-Switzerland County

NR Jack Cavallo-New Albany

NR Blaine Mead-South Spencer

NR Ryan Watkins-Bloomington North

NR Carter Mikels-Jennings County

NR Chase Koznarsky-Seymour

NR Austin Boltinghouse-Owen Valley

Weight Preview:

Six top 10 wrestlers are at this weight this weekend. Returning state champion, Brownsburg's Traevon Ducking, and Center Grove's Daniel Brown Jr., a returning state runner-up, headline this weight class. Ducking has been able to beat everyone in contention at this weight this season, two of the three he beat convincingly. Unless Brown can make it back to him, I do not see him having any competitive matches this weekend. A third guy I want to highlight is Plainfield's Kellen Schoeff. Schoeffhas jumped levels from a year ago, when he was a ticket round level kid to a state finialist level kid. While Schoeff does have a win over Brown this season, he did lose the most recent one. My fourth guy out here is Evansville Mater Dei's Spenser McCammon. I think he has a trap match right away against Decatur Central's Malachai Marlin due to the style matchup.

2025 Champion: Case Bell-Brownsburg

Hoosiermat Top 4:

1st-Traevon Ducking-Brownsburg

2nd-Kellen Schoeff-Plainfield

3rd-Daniel Brown Jr.-Center Grove

4th-Spenser McCammon-Evansville Mater Dei

120

In The Bracket (7 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Case Bell-Brownsburg

#6 Josiah Stanton-Bloomington South

#9 Justus Thrasher-Center Grove

#13 Case Bridge-Avon

#14 Max Stevens-Gibson Southern

#15 Alden Walker-Evansville Mater Dei

#17 Germaine Johnson-Tri-West

NR Cody Ellis-Jasper

NR Silas Garpetti-Silver Creek

NR Chase Key-Princeton Community

NR Luke Merchant-Franklin Community

NR Michael Gross-Switzerland County

NR Jace Forgy-Boonville

NR Kasyn Ingle-Tell City

NR Cole Schreck-Corydon Central

NR Isaiah White-Owen Valley

Weight Preview:

Just like last year, no one is stopping Brownsburg's Case Bell from winning the semi-state again this year. The returning state champion has been dominant all year, and that should continue into next weekend. In the semis, Bell should have the winner between Evansville Mater Dei's Alden Walker and Tri-West's Germaine Johnson. This is a coin flip match for me, with the two not having a lot of common opponents this season. On top of the bracket, we will see a ticket round matchup between Gibson Southern's Max Stevens and Center Grove's Justus Thrasher. Thrasher gets the nod here from me. Below them, Avon's Case Bridge and Bloomington South freshman Josiah Stanton will meet in the ticket round. Bridge was a 5th placer a year ago, but Stanton might be too much for him.

2025 Champion: Revin Dickman-Brownsburg

Hoosiermat Top 4:

1st-Case Bell-Brownsburg 

2nd-Josiah Stanton-Bloomington South

3rd-Justus Thrasher-Center Grove

4th-Germaine Johnson-Tri-West

126

In The Bracket (7 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Dominic Brown-Center Grove

#4 Ryan Hockaday-Brownsburg

#9 Wyatt Ulrey-Evansville Mater Dei

#11 David Bowman-Monrovia

#12 Eli Ogle-Tri-West

#16 Nolan Mullins-Jasper

#17 John Orman-Edgewood

NR Drew Zuckschwerdt-Madison Consolidated

NR Matteo Cirignano-Evansville Reitz Memorial

NR Aillan Hartley-Switzerland County

NR Jude Pratt-Bloomington South

NR Parker Wehmer-North Posey

NR Donta Henderson-Vincennes Lincoln

NR Ty Brueche-Columbus East

NR Kodi Hughes-Floyd Central

NR River Lilly-Franklin Community

Weight Preview:

The Mooresville regional is making a clean sweep here. Center Grove's Dominic Brown is the favorite here this weekend after winning the regional over the same guys a week ago. His likely finals opponent should be Brownsburg's Ryan Hockaday. Hockaday has jumped from being a backup a year ago to being a legit title contender this season. He will have a tough Wyatt Ulrey, Evansville Mater Dei, to make it to next weekend. Monrovia's David Bowman should see Hockaday in the semis in a rematch from last weekend. Returning 4th place finisher, Tri-West's Eli Ogle, is my fourth guy out at this weight.

2025 Champion: Nate Rioux-Avon

Hoosiermat Top 4:

1st-Dominic Brown-Center Grove

2nd-Ryan Hockaday-Brownsburg

3rd-David Bowman-Monrovia

4th-Eli Ogle-Tri-West

132

In The Bracket (5 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Nate Rioux-Avon

#3 Caleb Schaefer-Evansville Mater Dei

#4 Royce Malone-Center Grove

#16 Kylle Riley-Plainfield

#19 Lucas Day-Brownsburg

NR Luke Enlow-Corydon Central

NR Mark Hand-Bloomington South

NR Ethan Poling-Columbus East

NR Maddex Salee-Mount Vernon (Posey)

NR Isaac Temple-Floyd Central

NR Owen Blessinger-Southridge

NR Ty Whitten-Gibson Southern

NR Ethan Rose-Switzerland County

NR Jayden Harris-New Albany

NR John Vaughn-Franklin Community

NR Berke Eisenhauer-Heritage Hills

Weight Preview:

A week ago, Avon's Nathan Rioux would have been the unanimous pick to win the weight this weekend, but after taking a loss last weekend, there is a lot less certainty there. Rioux will have a much tougher ticket round match against Evansville Mater Dei's Caleb Schaefer. Rioux has beaten Schaefer twice this year, but one match did go into overtime. In the semi-finals, he should see Brownsburg's  Lucas Day. Due to Brownsburg's schedule, Day comes in with a deceptive record, but he is definitely good enough to make it out this weekend. On the bottom side, you have the kid who beat Rioux last weekend, Center Grove's Royce Malone. Malone has two state medals already and will be looking to take home his second semi-state title this weekend. Even though Malone beat Rioux last weekend, Rioux has owned the series, so I am still giving him the nod this weekend. My last guy out is Plainfield's Kylle Riley, which gives the Mooresville regional another weight class sweep.

2025 Champion: Jake Hockaday-Brownsburg

Hoosiermat Top 4:

1st-Nate Rioux-Avon

2nd-Royce Malone-Center Grove

3rd-Lucas Day-Brownsburg

4th-Kylle Riley-Plainfield

138

In The Bracket (5 Ranked Wrestlers):

#2 Mason Goelz-Avon

#4 Peyton Richards-Switzerland County

#9 Landen Haines-Brownsburg

#15 David Altstadt-Evansville Mater Dei

#19 Xavier Flores-Center Grove

NR Stephen Goodman-New Albany

NR Brian Conley-Bloomington South

NR Damian Hernandez-Perez-Southwestern (Hanover)

NR Aslan Templeton-North Posey

NR Parker Wanke-Vincennes Lincoln

NR Gavin Jones-Jasper

NR Vaughn Wyatt-Franklin Community

NR Elijah Hedges-Heritage Hills

NR Charlie Hutchison-Cascade

NR Luke Kirchner-Jennings County

NR William Rader-Terre Haute South

Weight Preview:

Avon's returning state runner-up, Mason Goelz, is on the short list of title contenders this year and is the favorite to win the semi-state this weekend. Goelz has not taken any losses to anyone in the state so far this season. In the finals, he should likely see Switzerland County's Peyton Richards. The two met earlier this year, with Goelz winning it 5-2. Brownsburg's Landen Haines was a state placer his freshman year, finishing 6th at 126, and will look to cap off his career with another medal. I see him punching his ticket in his senior season. The last guy out here is Heritage Hill's  Elijah Hedges. He has a tough path, having to first get through Cascade's Charlie Hutchison before likely seeing Jennings County's Luke Kirchner in the ticket.

2025 Champion: Braylon Reynolds-Brownsburg

Hoosiermat Top 4:

1st-Mason Goelz-Avon

2nd-Peyton Richards-Switzerland County

3rd-Landen Haines-Brownsburg

4th-Elijah Hedges-Heritage Hills

144

In The Bracket (7 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Braylon Reynolds-Brownsburg

#2 Peyton Hornsby-Center Grove

#5 Quinten Schoeff-Avon

#9 Patrick Dowty-Indian Creek

#11 Amrin Pratt-Bloomington South

#12 Asa Spencer-Evansville Mater Dei

#19 Kegan Jochim-Franklin Community

NR Jackson Smith-Heritage Hills

NR Cameron Cooper-Columbus East

NR Traevaun Hopkins-Bloomington North

NR Michael Roesch-Evansville Harrison

NR Dalton Jones-Plainfield

NR Caydan Ramos-Jasper

NR Reid Lanman-Owen Valley

NR Landen Pegram-Evansville North

NR Brady Franks-Jennings County

Weight Preview:

Brownsburg Braylon Reynolds has separated himself from his peers this season and looks a step above everyone. He will win the semi-state this weekend. The one kid who may be able to slow Reynolds down is Center Grove's Peyton Hornsby. Hornsby has been the only wrestler who has been able to hold Reynolds to a decision, but Reynolds did pin him a week ago. Outside of those two, Avon's Quinten Schoeff was a state qualifier in 2024 and looks to end his career downtown. I do have him making it out, but he does have a tough path. First, he will see Evansville Mater Dei's Asa Spencer before likely seeing Bloomington South's Amrin Pratt in the ticket round. My last guy out is Franklin Community's Kegan Jochim. Due to the strength of his schedule and the level of kids Jochim has wrestled this year, is why he gets my nod here.

2025 Champion: Tommy Gibbs-Brownsburg

Hoosiermat Top 4:

1st-Braylon Reynolds-Brownsburg

2nd-Peyton Hornsby-Center Grove

3rd-Quinten Schoeff-Avon

4th-Kegan Jochim-Franklin Community

150

In The Bracket (8 Ranked Wrestlers):

#2 Tommy Gibbs-Brownsburg

#4 Cohen Long-Columbus North

#5 Chase Kline-Avon

#8 David Falola-Decatur Central

#9 Marcus Malone-Center Grove

#12 Caleb Kirkpatrick-Columbus East

#13 Hunter Banet-Floyd Central

#14 Grant Voelker-Evansville Mater Dei

NR Segar Ralston-Madison Consolidated

NR Jordan Emmick-Washington

NR Cayleb Stephens-Edgewood

NR Gerardo Hernandez-Ibarra-Bloomington South

NR Spencer Howard-Boonville

NR Hunter Sloan-Owen Valley

NR Logan Mitchell-Mount Vernon (Posey)

NR Jonah Strain-Franklin Community

Weight Preview:

Brownsburg's returning state champion Tommy Gibbs is the clear favorite to win the weight this weekend. I do not believe Gibbs has lost to anyone in the state that has not wrestled for a state title during hishigh school career. That will not change this weekend. I have him wrestling Columbus North's Cohen Long in the semifinals. Long is a returning state placer, finishing 7th at 144 last year. He does have a tough David Falola, Deatur Central, in the first round. Avon's Chase Kline and Columbus East's Caleb Kirkpatrick meet in the first round, and I have the winner of this match punching their ticket the next round. My last guy out is Center Grove's Marcus Malone, assuming he can get through Floyd Central's Hunter Banet in the ticket round.

2025 Champion: Seth Syra-Avon

Hoosiermat Top 4:

1st-Tommy Gibbs-Brownsburg

2nd-Chase Kline-Avon

3rd-Cohen Long-Columbus North

4th-Marcus Malone-Center Grove

157

In The Bracket 6 Ranked Wrestlers):

#3 William Vander Luitgarden-Center Grove

#4 Parker Reynolds-Brownsburg

#9 Cale Bonenberger -Evansville Mater Dei

#10 Deacon Dressler-Gibson Southern

#11 Wyatt Cooksey-Bloomington South

#16 Caleb Cooper-Columbus East

Luke Hartmann-Evansville Reitz Memorial

Nathanie Day-Plainfield

Micah Tonte-Franklin Community

Riley Martin-Owen Valley

Zane Skinner-Madison Consolidated

Nolan Thomas-Whiteland Community

Alex Zaslavsky-Castle

Varric Wright-Floyd Central

Julian Worley-West Washington

Decker Ruhe-Jasper

Weight Preview:

Center Grove's William Vander Luitgarden was a surprise state qualifier back in 2024, and two years later, he is a legit state title contender. Luitgarden brings in the only undefeated record in the weight, and I see him taking it into next week as well. His finals opponent will be someone with whom he is familisar with, Brownsburg's Parker Reynolds. Reynolds, a state champion a year ago, is looking to win his first semi-state title this weekend. Reynolds has dropped his last two matches to Luitgarden, by scores of 9-8 and 4-1. My two others I have getting out are Bloomington South's Wyatt Cooksey and Columbus East's Caleb Cooper. Cooksey has the tougher draw out of the two, but he has already shown he may be too much for Franklin Community's Micah Tonte, whom he would see in the ticket round. 

2025 Champion: Silas Stits-Center Grove

Hoosiermat Top 4: 

1st-William Vander Luitgarden-Center Grove

2nd-Parker Reynolds-Brownsburg

3rd-Wyatt Cooksey-Bloomington South

4th-Caleb Cooper-Columbus East

165

In The Bracket (7 Ranked Wrestlers):

#4 Camden Baumann-Evansville Mater Dei

#5 Oliver Hallett-Indian Creek

#6 Griffan Larson-Avon

#11 Brendan Bentz-Madison Consolidated

#12 Miguel Tedrow-Bloomington North

#15 Owen Porterfield-Center Grove

#16 Cameron Sommers-Franklin Community

NR Malaki Johnson-Decatur Central

NR Collin Willen-Owen Valley

NR Braxton Whitfield-Mount Vernon (Posey)

NR Sam May-Terre Haute South

NR Aiden Miller-Columbus East

NR Noah Jeffries-Evansville Central

NR Jaiden Loftson-Terre Haute North Vigo

NR Jared Guevara-Whiteland Community

NR Gabe Fankhouser-Castle

Weight Preview:

Evansville Mater Dei's Camden Baumann was up and down last year, but was able to put it together to make a run at state last season. This year, he looks like a potential state finalist. In the semis he should see Avon's Griffan Larson. Larson is another returning state qualifier here and will look to reverse the result from earlier this season, where Baumann beat him 7-3. In the finals, we will see another rematch from earlier this year between him and Indian Creek's Oliver Hallett. Hallett was a state qualifier back in 2024 and will look to reverse his 4-2 loss to Baumann and win his first semi-state title. Center Grove's Owen Porterfield is my last guy out here. 

2025 Champion: Evan Roudebush-Bloomington South

Hoosiermat Top 4:

1st-Camden Baumann-Evansville Mater Dei

2nd-Oliver Hallett-Indian Creek

3rd-Griffan Larson-Avon

4th-Owen Porterfield-Center Grove

175

In The Bracket (8 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Sean Breedlove-Center Grove

#2 Lincoln Cooper-Columbus East

#7 Asher Ratliff-Columbus North

#10 Tyson Barrow-North Posey

#12 Corwin Fuller-Franklin Community

#16 Matthew Schroeder-Evansville Mater Dei

#17 Mazeed Ishola-Speedway

#20 Conner Hoar-Evansville Reitz Memorial

Jedidiah McKinley-Tecumseh

Luke Burner-Owen Valley

Isaiah York-Whiteland Community

Alijah Gohl-Corydon Central

Denny Allgood-Bloomington South

Julio Rosa-Jasper

Noah Fields-Terre Haute South

Colton Gipson-Brownsburg

Weight Preview:

We may get a preview of next weekend's finals this weekend as the top two wrestlers inthe state headline this weight. Center Grove's Sean Breedlove has been the story at this weight this season, as he has beaten everyone on his way to a number-one ranking. He is also responsible for giving Columbus East's Lincoln Cooper his only loss of the year, a 4-1 decision. Outside of them, North Posey's Tyson Barrow is looking to become a two-time state qualifier this weekend, and I see him having little trouble completing that. Franklin Community's Corwin Fuller is my fourth guy out at this weight. I like his matchups to make it out and I think his tyle can outpace the two guys he will see.

2025 Champion: Julian Weems-Center Grove

Hoosiermat Top 4:

1st-Sean Breedlove-Center Grove

2nd-Lincoln Cooper-Columbus East

3rd-Tyson Barrow-North Posey

4th-Corwin Fuller-Franklin Community

190

In The Bracket (5 Ranked Wrestlers):

#2 Sam Howard-Boonville

#3 Colin McMahon-Columbus East

#5 Cori Tonte-Franklin Community

#7 Dalton Pledger-Heritage Hills

#9 Elijah Guyer-Indian Creek

NR Spencer Fain-Floyd Central

NR Darrell Hicks-Columbus North

NR Hunter Gradert-Center Grove

NR Grayson Baumann-Evansville Mater Dei

NR James Smith-New Albany

NR Nathan Morawska-Avon

NR Caleb Ayetomowo-Decatur Central

NR Eastin Hall-Mount Vernon (Posey)

NR Noah Ring-Southridge

NR Kaidin Cooper-Mooresville

NR James Ribolla-Terre Haute South

Weight Preview:

Half of the top 10 wrestlers in the state are at this weight this weekend. Even with that being said, Boonville's Sam Howard does not have any peers in his bracket this weekend. He should dominate and roll like he has done the entire year. Coming in behind Howard, Columbus East's Colin McMahon was a state qualifier a year ago and is looking to make another trip this weekend. He will first have to get by Dalton Pledger, Heritage Hills, to get there. The two are ranked 3rd and 7th in the state. Franklin Community's Cori Tonte jumped up weights this offseason and has not missed a beat. I see him punching his ticket for his first trip downtown this weekend. Decatur Central's Caleb Ayetomowo will be waiting for him in the ticket round, and the two have already wrestled a few times this season, with Tonte winning the last one on a penalty point. Evansville Mater Dei's Grayson Baumann got the nod late in the year and has made the most of it, being two matches away from the state tournament. I am going to pick Baumann here, but I am concerned that his size might hurt him in the ticket round against Floyd Central's Specner Fain.

2025 Champion: Gunner Henry-Brownsburg

Hoosiermat Top 4:

1st-Sam Howard-Boonville

2nd-Colin McMahon-Columbus East

3rd-Cori Tonte-Franklin Community

4th-Grayson Baumann-Evansville Mater Dei

215

In The Bracket (7 Ranked Wrestlers):

#4 Kellen Fellure-Franklin Community

#9 Clayton Miller-Columbus East

#10 Garrett Deuser-Madison Consolidated

#11 Dayton Mink-Cascade

#13 Camden Williams-Whiteland Community

#15 Caden Thacker-Evansville Mater Dei

#17 Jaran Kerney-Princeton Community

NR Devyn Orman-Northview

NR Wes Wolke-Brownsburg

NR Cristian Gomez-Jennings County

NR William Hollifield-Sullivan

NR Braydon Hughes-South Spencer

NR Mason Grubb-Bloomington South

NR Kalvin Grose-Heritage Hills

NR Braddock Nickless-Owen Valley

NR Connor Denaut-Plainfield

Weight Preview:

Franklin Community's Kellen Fullure and Columbus East's Clayton Miller have met three times already this year, and they are set to meet for a fourth this weekend. Fellure has won 2 of the first 3 matches, and I see him taking the fourth this weekend as well. Coming in at third and fourth this weekend, I have Pike's Jaran Kenney and Evansville Mater Dei's Caden Thacker. The two have split matches, with Thacker winning the most recent. Thacker does have to navigate a tough path to make it out. In the first round, he will have Madison's Garrett Deuser. Deuser is tough and has a win over Miller this season. If he beats Deuser, he will then have the winner of Bloomington South's Mason Grubb and Cascade's Dayton Mink. 

2025 Champion: Caden Brewer-Brownsburg

Hoosiermat Top 4:

1st-Kellen Fellure-Franklin Community

2nd-Clayton Miller-Columbus East

3rd-Caden Thacker-Evansville Mater Dei

4th-Jaran Kerney-Princeton Community

285

In The Bracket (4 Ranked Wrestlers):

#4 Hayden Smith-Heritage Hills

#9 Hank Redman-Columbus East

#11 Keenan Mowery-Shields-South Putnam

#15 Mansford Osburn-Terre Haute North

NR Gabriel Wheatley-Silver Creek

NR Elisha Johnson-Decatur Central

NR Lane Hewig-Tecumseh

NR Angus Machen-Tell City

NR Bryce Minks-Boonville

NR Grevin Fields-Brownsburg

NR Carson Andreas-Greenwood Community

NR Lincoln Getts-Edgewood

NR Noah Martin-Franklin Community

NR Bryce Bourne-Mount Vernon (Posey)

NR Servando Lozano-Columbus North

NR Elijah Stokes-New Albany

Weight Preview:

Heritage Hills's Hayden Smith is the best wrestler at this weight this weekend. Smith placed 7th in 2024, but was unable to make a run last season. This year, though, he has been dominant and brings in a spotless 51-0 record. Outside of Smith, this weight has a bunch of great matchups in the round of 16 and the ticket round. The first I want to highlight is in the opening round between Decatur Central's Elisha Johnson and Tecumseh's Lane Hewig.  The winner of this will wrestle returning state qualifier Mansford Osburn, Terre Haute North, in the ticket round. The next match I want to highlight is the potential ticket round match between North Putnam's Keenan Mowery-Shields and New Albany's Elijah Stokes. Mowery-Shields is a returning state qualifier and the on-paper favorite here, but this is heavyweight, and anything can happen. My last guy out at this weight class is Columbus North's Hank Redman. I do not see anyone preventing him from making the finals this weekend.

2025 Champion: Max Forrester-Brownsburg

Hoosiermat Top 4:

1st- Hayden Smith-Heritage Hills

2nd-Hank Redman-Columbus East

3rd-Keenan Mowery-Shields-South Putnam

4th-Lane Hewig-Tecumseh