Two of Ayden Nufio’s best minutes of the season on the wrestling mat propelled the Triton Central senior to his first sectional championship.
On Saturday at William L. Garrett Gymnasium, Nufio (photo) scored a pinfall victory in the semifinal match at 113 pounds then defeated Shelbyville freshman Tripp Garner, 12-4, in the championship match to earn a berth in the Perry Meridian Regional on Feb. 3.
Nufio and Garner met twice this season, splitting the two meetings. Nufio relied on his experience Saturday afternoon as a two-time regional qualifier to get the first takedown in the championship and then extended his lead to 8-0 after two periods.
“I wanted to come out there with intent, grab it by the reins so he wouldn’t have a chance to show his offense,” said Nufio. “It was a solid strategy.”
Nufio now needs one win at the regional to become a first-time semistate qualifier.
“I am really going to try my hardest and give it everything I can for that six minutes and try to make it to the semistate,” he said. “My coaches have pushed me every single day. I am thankful they push me hard. I am happy to have great teammates that push me every day and great friends who support me in everything I do.”
Garner also advanced to the Perry Meridian Regional with a runner-up finish in his first sectional.
A total of seven Golden Bears and three Tigers advanced out of the Shelbyville Sectional Saturday to extend their season at least one more week. The top four finishers at the regional move on to the New Castle Semistate on Feb. 10.
Shelbyville senior Jacob Harker, a semistate qualifier in 2023, finished third at 285 pounds while dealing with a knee injury.
Shelbyville sophomore Julian Eads also placed third at 157 pounds to earn a second straight trip to the regional round.
Those finishing fourth at the sectional and advancing to the regional were Triton Central freshman Chance Uhls (106 pounds), Triton Central sophomore Conner Phipps (126), Shelbyville sophomore Brady Bryant (150), Shelbyville junior Andrew Burton (165), Shelbyville freshman Reuben Martins-Thomas (175) and Shelbyville junior Brayden Schultz (190).
Warren Central won the sectional team title with 265 points. New Palestine was runner-up at 223, finishing ahead of Greenfield-Central (216), Franklin Central (167), Shelbyville (109), Purdue Polytechnic (82.5), Triton Central (78), Indianapolis Lutheran (57) and Indianapolis Scecina (20).
Steve Bush photos.
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