INDIANAPOLIS — The Mt. Vernon Marauders responded in a big way to having one of the best teams in the state, Cathedral, in Saturday’s Arsenal Tech sectional with them.
In the best sectional performance in program history, Mt. Vernon finished second to Cathedral, scoring 228.5 points, and boasted three sectional champions and a slew of top three finishers. The Irish won the sectional with 285.5 points.
The Marauders will send an impressive 13 wrestlers on to Saturday’s regional round, advancing in all but one weight class in a sectional filled with tough competition, including Lawrence North, Lawrence Central and North Central.
“It feels good, especially the way that the sectionals and state tournament are set up,” Mt. Vernon coach Chad Masters said. “Obviously there are some sectionals that are stronger than others, and to get thrown into a sectional with Cathedral, and LN and LC and North Central have some really strong kids, it’s tough. I’ve had a lot of people come up yesterday and say, ‘Wow, you guys advanced almost your whole team. That’s the stuff the big boys do, the Perrys, the Avons.’ It was definitely a good day.”
Winning sectional titles were Chase Wilkerson at 126 pounds, Chris Wilkerson at 138 pounds and PJ Sterrett at 182 pounds.
“I think that Chase kind of got the ball rolling,” Masters said. “In previous big matches, we’ve kind of tried to push the pace a little bit and got caught a little bit, and given up a takedown early, and we didn’t do that yesterday. He was able to pull out that match with a reversal in the third. I think that got things going, so when Chris came up, he thought OK, Chase got one, so I’m getting mine. And then PJ came out and wrestled just an exceptional match.”
Finishing as runners-up were Carson Johnson at 120 pounds, Max Hayes at 152, Drake Kendrex at 170 and Charlie Moore at 195.
Earning third-place finishers were Aidan Alford at 145 pounds, Parker Smitley at 220 and Jake Skotnicki at 285. Also advancing to the regional round with fourth-place finishes were Kellen Kerr at 106, Andrew Johnson at 113 and Parker Bishop at 160.
“I really honestly can’t be more proud,” Masters said. “It’s kind of hard to put it in words. I try to text the guys after a big day, tell them I’m proud of you, I love you, but you kind of run out of words. I’ve told them the same thing over and over but you just kind of have a smile on your face a lot.”
The Marauders are on a roll, finishing their season 22-2, winning the first Hoosier Heritage Conference title in team history and now advancing almost the entire roster to Saturday’s regional at Pendleton Heights.
It will be a bit of a different regional experience for Mt. Vernon this year, having almost everyone competing. The competition level ramps up every week, now, and the Marauders have big goals moving ahead.
“I think if we wrestle the exact same way we did (Saturday), we’ll be OK,” Masters said. “I’m hoping to get 10 to semistate, because the boys have worked really hard. They want to get six to state, they want a chance to be Top 10 at state so they are looking up at the leaderboard and see Mt. Vernon, Fortville.”