Fort Campbell will send five wrestlers to the state tournament following a fourth-place finish at Saturday’s Region 1 Tournament at Henderson County.
Fort Campbell scored 103 points to finish two points ahead of fifth-place Henderson County. Union County (335) won its 23rd straight region title with 335 points. Paducah Tilghman (252) was second, and Christian County (158) was third.
Coach Anthony Shingler said the Falcons’ finish was their best in 12 years, and the five qualifiers are the most since 2018.
Ryker Kramer (39-8) had Fort Campbell’s top finish, placing second in the 106-pound class. The senior will be making his second straight state tourney appearance following his third top-5 finish at the region.
Eithan Cassell (42-13) took third place in the 138-pound class after a 3-1 day, and Jaedon Carolina (34-23) came in third at 215. He won his final four matches after losing his opener to Union County’s Wylee Elders in the opener. Carolina came back to defeat Elders 6-3 in the third-place match.
Both Cassell and Carolina will be making their first state tourney appearance.
Jayden Perry (42-13) will return to state after a second straight fourth place finish at region.
Ethan Gilmore (27-21) at 120 will also be making a first trip to the state tourney after finishing fourth.
Andy Cintron came in sixth place at 113.
Others wrestling for Fort Campbell were Kieran Pauley at 126, Luis Nunez at 150, Seth Puraty at 157, Karson McClellan at 190, and Sam Suapilimai at 285.
The five Falcons will compete at the state tournament on Thursday and Friday in Lexington.
