RICHMOND - Rushville's Sam Pavey captured the 175-pound division at the IHSAA wrestling regional hosted by Richmond Saturday. The champ will be joined by teammates Briggs Tackett and Denver Campbell at the New Castle semistate this weekend.

Pavey (29-9) won the wide-open bracket impressively, starting with a pin of Tri High's Carson Chew in the second period. He then posted an 8-0 major decision over Milan's Cameron Gilb, who had 37 wins going into the match. In the finals, Pavey outlasted East Central's Travis Riley 6-2.

Tackett (33-7) took second place in the 106-lb. competition, no shame in losing to unbeaten Heather Crull of Northeastern in the championship. Earlier, the freshman had punched his ticket to the next weekend with the easy route – a forfeit. He then pinned Greensburg's Cayden Beagle in the second period to reach the final. Crull won by fall in the first period.

Campbell (21-15) was fourth at 157. A 12-2 major decision over Shenandoah's Tate Sanders ensured a trip to the semistate. Campbell fell in the first overtime period (13-11) to EC's Brody Wingate, then was pinned by Batesville's David Maher in the consolation round.

At 113 Blake Hunt lost 5-2 to New Castle's Carson Bell. Pacey Dye at 132 saw his Lion career end with a pin loss to still unbeaten Gavyn Whitehead of NC. Hunt finished the year with a 26-9 mark while Dye was 22-12.

E. Central won the team title by a large margin; Rushville was 9th. Lion wrestlers must win their first two bouts Saturday to advance to the state finals.