CHARLOTTESVILLE — With all programs, regardless of school enrollment, in the same classification for the IHSAA Boys Wrestling tournament series, Eastern Hancock will have to eventually go up against the state’s bigger schools.
But, with the latest in tournament sectional alignment, that head-to-head meeting will be delayed.
In an Executive Committee meeting earlier this year, Eastern Hancock was taken out of the wrestling sectional that rotates between Warren Central and Shelbyville, and includes New Palestine, Greenfield-Central and Franklin Central, all schools considerably larger in enrollment size.
Beginning this season, the Royals will go to the 11-team Tri Sectional, which includes, along with the hosts and the Royals, Blue River Valley, Cambridge City Lincoln, Centerville, Hagerstown, Knightstown, New Castle, Northeastern, Richmond and Shenandoah. Most all, except for New Castle and Richmond, are close to the same size as Eastern Hancock.
For second-year head coach Sam Pfaff, the change of scenery could be a big boost for his wrestlers’ confidence.
“It helps us and is huge for our program,” Pfaff said. “Kids are going to be able to see that you can have success and you can advance and it’s not this Mt. Everest you have to climb in the first part of the tournament. With it not being classed, and we’re in a tough area in the state, your dudes still have to be dudes to get to the big dance.
“It’s great for a lot of our guys. It’s great for our program, great for the team, great for the school, but our guys that we want to get to state still have to punch it through at the end.”
Senior Brayden Tincher, in the 170-pound class, got all the way to the semi-state last year, placing third in both the sectional and regional rounds. He won his first semi-state match before being eliminated in the ticket-round by North Central’s Clifton Johnson.
Tincher is slated to be at 182 this season.
Juniors Cameron Volz (126), Zane Badgley (120), Logan Gilman (113) and Kolton Gilbreath (132) all return with some varsity experience.
Gilman, at 106, was third in last year’s sectional before being eliminated in his regional opener. Volz, a fourth-place finisher in the sectional, also had one match at the regional tournament.
Badgley and Gilbreath were both sixth-place finishers in last year’s sectional. Gilbreath wrestled at 120 last season, but has bulked up some and is scheduled to go at 132 this year. Badgley moves into the 120 spot after wrestling 113 a year ago.
Pfaff said junior Dom Shelby is back to wrestle at 160. Gabe Johnson, a sophomore transfer in from Greenfield-Central, is expected to be in the lineup at 170.
The coach said competition is still strong among a number of wrestlers fighting for varsity spots at 138, 145, and 152. They will start the season with open classes at 106, 195 and 220, but Pfaff said he expects to have the 195 and 220 spots filled with late additions soon.
The Royals were seventh in last year’s nine-team sectional. With the new route, Pfaff believes his team can compete for a sectional championship.
“(We) will have to eventually go up against (those bigger schools), but I think we can really compete for first place in the new sectional. Finishing in the top three would be huge for us,” he said. “Conference-wise, I think we can compete for (a Mid-Eastern Conference championship). Cowan will be tough but I think we could finish first or second and that would be big for us, too.”
Eastern Hancock opens the season today at the Hurrle Invitational at Tech High School.
2022-23 Eastern Hancock wrestling schedule
Date;Opponent;Time
Nov. 19;at Hurrle Invitational (Tech);9 a.m.
Nov. 22;at New Palestine;6 p.m.
Dec. 6;vs. Triton Central;6 p.m.
Dec. 10;at Union City Super Six;9 a.m.
Dec. 17;at Wapahani Raider Rumble;9 a.m.
Dec. 29;at Spartan Classic (Conners.);9 a.m.
Dec. 30;at Spartan Classic (Conners.);8:30 a.m.
Jan. 6;at Centerville Invitational;TBD
Jan. 7;at Centerville Invitational;TBD
Jan. 10;at Knightstown;6 p.m.
Jan. 12;vs. Greenfield-Central;6:30 p.m.
Jan. 14;at Lapel Invitational;9 a.m.
Jan. 21;at MEC (Daleville);9 a.m.
Jan. 28;Sectional;TBD
Feb. 4;Regional;TBD
Feb. 11;Semi-State;TBD
Feb. 17;State;TBD
Feb. 18;State;TBD
