Triton Central’s Hadyn Ball and Shelbyville’s Jacob Harker will have to defeat a state-ranked wrestler to advance to the IHSAA State Championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
To advance from the New Castle Semistate Saturday, wrestlers must win their first two matches to qualify for the state finals.
To get to the “ticket round” Saturday, Ball (18-5), a senior, will face Northeastern’s Michael Henderson (36-1) in his semistate opener at 220 pounds.
The winner then faces either Sheridan’s Peyton Cross (38-1), ranked No. 17 in the state poll, or Hamilton Heights’ Josh Brown (35-7), ranked No. 21.
There are six state-ranked wrestlers competing in New Castle at 220.
Harker (26-5) is faced with his own tough task. The junior opens against No. 6 Hunter Branham (30-1) of Frankton.
The winner then faces either No. 12 Dom Burgett (31-2) of Hamilton Southeastern or Richmond’s Grant Long (28-11).
Seven of the top 20 ranked wrestlers at 285 are part of the field at New Castle.
The state championship meet is Feb. 17-18 in Indianapolis.
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