Aaron Kirchoff
Rushville Republican
RUSHVILLE —
By finishing in the top four at the regional, three Lions earned a berth in the semistate this Saturday at New Castle. Rushville’s Garrett Hittle (170), Robbie Hadley (220) and Joe Garland (285) will represent the Lions in the semistate.
Joe Garland won the regional championship at 285. Garland opened his day with a 1:09 pin of New Castle’s Dakota Myers. Garland then pinned Union County’s Drew Dielkes in 1:34 to reach the title match. In the final, Garland defeated state-ranked Nate Trawick of Richmond 6-4 to claim the regional crown. Garland is 34-1 on the season.
Garrett Hittle finished third at 170. Hittle defeated Eastern Hancock’s Hunter Knopp by pin as the final horn sounded. Lawrenceburg’s KC Hedger defeated Hittle 9-5 in the next round. Hittle came back to take third place with a 10-5 victory over New Castle’s Spencer Sargent.
Robbie Hadley took third at 220. Hadley pinned Hagerstown’s Gabe Cox in 1:11 in the first round. East Central’s Ricky Brown pinned Hadley in 3:47 in the next round. Hadley came back to pin South Dearborn’s Dustin Conely in 1:34 to take third place.
Bailey Ford opened his day at 113 with a tough 13-11 loss to Cambridge City Lincoln’s Aaron Isaacs. Ford returned to pin Richmond’s Blake Hillard in 4:12 and fell to East Central’s Wes Braiser by pin in the fifth place match.
Blake Wood lost his opening round match by major decision 14-6 to Eastern Hancock’s Nathan Kell. Wood then advanced past Richmond’s Titus Twine by injury default and lost a close match to Lawrenceburg’s Collin Solomon 9-7.
Connersville won the team title with 144.4. East Central took second with 107 and Milan was third with 100. The Lions finished seventh with 64.
Contact: Aaron Kirchoff at 765-932-2222 ext. 114
