The Noblesville boys wrestling team dominated the Elwood sectional on Saturday, Jan. 31. The Millers scored 327.5 points for the team trophy and sent all 14 of their wrestlers to the championship match of their respective weight classes, winning nine. (Photo provided)
The REPORTER
Is it possible to have a perfect day at a wrestling sectional?
The Noblesville boys tested that possibility at the Elwood sectional on Saturday, Jan. 31. The Millers had an incredibly dominant day, sending someone to the championship match of all 14 weight classes.
Noblesville won nine of those championship bouts, and finished with a team score of 327.5 points, well ahead of runner-up Alexandria’s 186.5. Also, the Millers send all 14 of their wrestlers on to the Pendleton Heights regional, which takes place this Saturday, Feb. 7.
It was a special day, even more so for Noblesville coach Michael Weimer. This is his ninth year coaching the Millers, not just in high school, but in the youth wrestling program as well – “all of these kids have been together since Day 1 when I started as a coach,” said Weimer.
“These kids are special because they believe in each other and they’ve had a relationship built for the past nine years,” said Weimer.
Noblesville was dominant out of the gate, easily getting everyone into the semifinals. Remarkably, the Millers increased their level even more in that round. Thirteen of the 14 Noblesville wrestlers won their matches by pin, with the 14th match a technical fall. That means none of the Millers had to be on the mat the full six minutes of their matches.
“At that point, I felt like I was floating,” said Weimer.
Noblesville kept things rolling in the championship, winning the first six matches. In order, the Millers got victories from Henry Antrobus at 106 pounds, Eli Kincaide at 113, Blake Weimer at 120, Brody Weimer at 126, Zach Nekolite at 132 and Justus Suddarth at 138.
Three more Noblesville wrestlers claimed titles later in the meet. Aidan Kinciade at 165 (keeping him unbeaten for the season at 27-0), Yan Tioua at 190 and Jackson Apple at 285.
What made Weimer the happiest was how the team was together the entire day, coming down to three things everyone was doing for each other – love, trust and fight.
“When everyone won, everybody celebrated that, when they lost in the finals everybody was there to console each other,” said Weimer. “Everybody was in the moment, doing something with their team.”
Weimer also credited his assistant coaches, calling them “phenomenal.” “They’re making the right calls and their keeping their kids dialed in,” he said.
Noblesville won its third consecutive sectional title and 24th in program history.
Huskies advance six, Kuhn wins
Hamilton Heights finished third as a team, scoring 171.5 points. The Huskies also had six wrestlers move on to the regional at Pendleton Heights.
Simon Kuhn won a championship for Heights, taking the 150-pound division with three first-period falls. Kuhn is now 35-1 for the season.
Jonah Wolfgang (126) and Kolter Galloway (132) both finished as runners-up, while Nathan Flanders (157) and Braxtyn Baber (165) took third place. Ezekiel Rice finished fourth at 113. The top four place winners in each class qualify for regional.
Guerin Catholic advanced four wrestlers to Pendleton Heights. Rafe Liechty (106) and Jack Hubbard (190) were runners-up, while Gabe Liechty (126) and Joseph Dunasky (132) placed third.
Team scores: Noblesville 327.5, Alexandria 186.5, Hamilton Heights 171.5, Pendleton Heights 136, Frankton 103.5, Tipton 100.5, Elwood 83.5, Guerin Catholic 82.5, Lapel 53, Anderson 6.
106: 1. Henry Antrobus (N), 2. Rafe Liechty (GC), 5. Asher Barrick (HH).
113: 1. Eli Kincaide (N), 4. Ezekiel Rice (HH), 5. Caden Muller (GC).
120: 1. Blake Weimer (N), 5. Jude Bailey (HH).
126: 1. Brody Weimer (N), 2. Jonah Wolfgang (HH), 3. Gabe Liechty (GC).
132: 1. Zach Nekolite (N), 2. Kolter Galloway (HH), 3. Joseph Dunasky (GC).
138: 1. Justus Suddarth (N), 5. Braden Rutledge (HH).
144: 2. Isaac Suddarth (N), 6. Jameson Mullins (HH).
150: 1. Simon Kuhn (HH), 2. Luke Chastain (N).
157: 2. Kyle Howard (N), 3. Nathan Flanders (HH).
165: 1. Aidan Kincaide (N), 3. Braxtyn Baber (HH).
175: 2. Evan Nicholls (N), 6. Seth Van Hook (HH).
190: 1. Yan Tioua (N), 2. Jack Hubbard (GC), 5. Hans Frymier (HH).
215: 2. Cale Metzler (N).
285: 1. Jackson Apple (N), 5. Samuel Van Hook (HH).
