Sending 13 athletes to the Middle School Wrestling State tournament, the Aces Middle School Club finished 13th out of 88 teams. Eagles Wrestling Club sent eight athletes and finished 22nd, while Lights Out Wrestling Academy had one athlete compete.
“All of our guys wrestled great,” Aces Middle School Club coach Matt Allen said. “It was an electric atmosphere with the best 30 kids in each weight class from all over the state competing. We had several kids go 3-2 on the day.”
Leading the way was Thomas Brauer who became the team’s first ever Middle School State Champion at 150 pounds. He went undefeated with two pins, a tech fall, & a major decision, while not allowing any points to his competition throughout the tournament.
“I am so proud of the team for finishing 13th overall at State,” Allen said. “Last year we finished 33rd and only qualified four wrestlers. We worked all year and made some major improvements. We are competitive at an elite level and it’s due to the hard work these kids have put in the offseason and throughout the regular season. Brauer taking first was no surprise to me. He’s one of the hardest-working wrestlers in the state and has proved to be one of the best pound-for-pound middle school wrestlers in Kentucky. He’s a nightmare for his competition on the mat but as nice of a kid as there is off the mat. He truly lives a champion lifestyle both on and off the mat. It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to be in his corner and I couldn’t be prouder of him.”
For the Eagles Wrestling Club, Jaiden Carver finished fourth, going 7-2 on the day with four pins. Haxton Howard placed fifth after finishing 4-2, falling to Case Simmons in the semi-finals. Simmons went on to win the championship. Grayden Grant finished 3-2, while IKR Moreno went 2-3.
