MOORESVILLE — For Noah Sumner, length equals leverage.
And as a wrestler, leverage is everything.
At just over 6 feet tall, the Martinsville senior is taller than most of the wrestlers with which he competes.
“My length helps me a lot, once I found out how to use leverage to put yourself in a better position,” he said last Saturday.
Sumner was in the best position a wrestler could be, winning the 190-pound class championship in the daylong sectional tournament at Mooresville’s Curry Center Gymnasium.
After earning a first-round bye as the result of being the top seed, Sumner notched a 15-0 technical fall over Monrovia freshman Chadd Brayden. The semifinal match against Center Grove junior Elliott Jones was tougher, but Sumner managed a 7-3 decision.
That placed him in the championship match against Cascade junior Braxton Lewis.
“Going in, I was thinking, ‘I’ve got to do it, do what I can — score points, don’t let the other guy score points.’ It worked for me.”
Sumner controlled most of the match, working his way to a 12-2 major decision.
That sends Sumner and his 34-2 record into Saturday’s regional, again at Mooresville.
“It’s good to be the champion and a top seed next week,” he said. “It’s good. I’m excited.”
Unfortunately for area wrestlers, most of the excitement went to Center Grove, which won 11 of the 14 weight classes and the team title. Whiteland was second, with Decatur Central third and Martinsville fourth. Monrovia and Mooresville finished sixth and seventh, respectively, with Eminence 10th.
There were still many bright spots on an individual basis.
In addition to Sumner, seven other Artesians advanced, with the top four finishers in each weight reaching the regional round.
Evan Hamblin (27-8) took second at 165 pounds, and Dalen Lane (27-14) was third at 113, as was fellow sophomore Christian Koons (21-19) at 150.
Advancing with fourth-place finishes were junior Colman Dittemore (16-18) at 175, senior Ezra Frederick (28-8) at 215, and senior Dominick Mercer (32-7) at 285.
Mooresville’s top finisher was Brett Woodlock, second at 175 pounds to Center Grove senior Julian Weems.
“My day went well until it didn’t,” said Woodlock, now 33-8. “I got down early in the finals. I knew what I was going up against. I knew going in that I was just going to do the best I can do.
“I’m just a sophomore, so this is a learning experience for next year. I’ll just progress from here.”
He’ll be accompanied by teammates Steelee Lynn (35-9), third at 157 pounds, and Logan Wilson (23-14), fourth at 120.
“I’m excited for Brett Woodlock, Steelee Lynn and Logan Wilson going to regionals,” Pioneer coach Dan Mikesell said.
“I feel bad for the others. Hunter Phillips (190) is one of the best captains I’ve ever had. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to coach Hunter.
“Now, I’m pretty excited about getting ready for next week.”
So are four Monrovia wrestlers.
Three Bulldogs finished as runnersup, including the senior Ash brothers. Gavin (19-4) was second at 106 and Isaac (28-3) second at 126. Junior David Bowman (27-6) was second at 120. Another junior, Haydon Hall (17-10), finished fourth at 132.
“Felt like we had a couple other guys that could’ve made it through to regionals, but that’s wrestling for you,” said Monrovia coach DJ Smith.
“Excited for our four guys who qualified. Three tough matches in the finals for the Ashes and Bowman, but we’ll learn from it and get better!
“Extremely happy for Haydon Hall, who placed fourth at 132. He’s come a long way and has made huge strides.”
