Led by a pair of freshmen champions, the Union County wrestling team of nine placed third overall at the 2021 Tri-Eastern Conference tournament last weekend at Knightstown.

“I am thrilled with the third overall finish,” UC coach AJ Bryson said.

Carson Whitley is the 106-lb. TEC champion after wrestling Winchester’s Quentin Keen for the third time this season.

“Carson won the first time and got pinned by him the second time, so the TEC match was a tight one,” Bryson said. “The coaches knew he could do it, but it was nice for Carson to find out...hey, if I wrestle a tight match I can win it.”

The TEC championship match went three rounds, with Whitley defeating Keen, 1-0.

Jesus Aquino-Morales is the 113-lb. TEC champion. He pinned Centerville senior Leo Nguyen in the first round of the championship match.
“My 113 pounder - I knew it was never going to be close,” Bryson said. “He pinned him in little over a minute.”

The Patriots forfeited five matches - 120, 126, 132, 138 and 195. Of the remaining seven matches, UC wrestlers earned places on the podium during the awards ceremony.

Champions received blue ribbons, TEC champion-ship medals and bracket boards.

Ribbons were awarded to the first, second, third and fourth-place finishers. Fifth and sixth place winners were also recognized on the podium.

Morgan Krom and Kainin Klein finished second at 160 and 182 lbs., respectively, to reach the championship match.

“Krom wrestled a tough match all the way,” Bryson said. “Finished a strong second in a 6-2 decision to Hagerstown’s Javin Payne.”

Klein pinned Union City’s Erik Terriquez in the second round to reach the championship match.

“Kainin wrestled up 12 pounds,” Bryson explained. “Instead of 170 pounds, he wrestled 12 pounds up and takes second place in a tight match.”

In addition to Whitley, Aquino-Morales, Krom and Klein, the remaining five UC wrestlers wrestled well.

Three Patriots, Jordan Takara (152), Ben Tom (220) and Nate Reffitt (285), finished third and fifth placers were Matthew Hampton (170) and Aiden Evans (145).

“I’m not complaining at all. I’m actually thrilled with third overall finish,” Bryson said. “But it’s a bit unnerving to see that second place was so close.”

Centerville won the team trophy with 262 points, including seven individual champions.

Second-place Winchester had 137 points, including one individual champion, to edge out Union County’s 134 points in third place.

“Out of second place by four points. It’s nobody’s fault,” Bryson said. “That can and does happen in any tournament.”

Lincoln’s 97 points put the Golden Eagles in fourth place.

Union City had one individual champion and 94 points in fifth place.

Knightstown had 92 points, including two individual champions in sixth place. 

Northeastern was seventh with 67 points, Tri High was eighth with 62 points and Hagerstown had 58 points, including one individual champion to finish ninth.

Sectional is Saturday at South Dearborn

The IHSAA Sectional brackets are set and Union County is eager to see it how it all unfolds. 

“These same guys that placed well at conference should  do well or meet their seed at sectional,” Bryson said. “So we will have a couple of firsts and seconds and more to move on to regional.”

Sectional begins at 9 a.m. at South Dearborn High School. Union County will enter nine weight classes.

•106 - Carson Whitley (30-4)
•113 - Jesus Aquino-Morales (31-3)  
•145 - Aiden Evans  (15-18)
•152 - Jordan Takara (24-16) 
•160 - Morgan Krom (24-5) 
•170 - Matthew Hampton (14-11)
•182 - Kainin Klein (26-8) 
 •220 - Ben Tom (25-6) 
•285 - Nate Reffitt (21-8) 

UC results at TEC - Championship

106 - Whitley pinned Shipman (Ce) :55; defeated Keen (W) 1-0 dec. Champion - Carson Whitley (UC).
113 - Aquino pinned Nguyen (Ce) 1:05. Champion - Jesus Aquino-Morales (UC).
145 -  Evans (5th) defeated Tully (Kn) by inj. Default.
152 - Takara (3rd) defeated Moore (UCi) 16-8 major decision.
160 - Krom (2nd) pinned Anquiano (UCi) 6-2 decision.  
170 -  Hampton (5th) defeated Myer (H) 7-3 decision.
182 - Klein (2nd) pinned Terriquez (UCi) 2:23.
220 - Tom (3rd) pinned Henderson (NE) 2:38.
285 - Reffitt (3rd) pinned Sutherland (H) 4:35.

Tri-Eastern Conference Team Standings...Centerville 262,  Winchester 137, UNION COUNTY 134, Lincoln 97, Union City 94, Knightstown 92, Northeastern 67.5, Tri High 62; Hagerstown 58.