Center Grove’s Kaden McConnell takes down Brownsburg’s Gunner Henry during the 195-pound final at the Mooresville Regional on Saturday.
Rob Baker | For the Daily Journal
MOORESVILLE
Regional wrestling trophies don’t dominate the various display cases inside Center Grove High School.
The good news is the one the program earned nearly three decades ago will soon have company.
On Saturday, the third-ranked Trojans produced 211 points at the Mooresville Regional to get past No. 2 Brownsburg (186.5) while qualifying 12 individuals for semistate action this coming weekend in Evansville.
It marked Center Grove’s first regional title since the 1994-95 season.
Champions of their respective weight classes for the Trojans were Charlie LaRocca (113 pounds), Wyatt Krejsa (145), Andre Merritt (160), Kaden McConnell (195) and Nate Johnson (220). Third-place Whiteland crowned two champions in Joey Buttler (132) and Vince Tinoco (170), and sends five to semistate.
Greenwood senior Gavin Rice placed fourth at 145 pounds to keep his season going.
LaRocca, a junior who lost in the ticket round of semistate last season, improved his record to 34-2 with a 3-1 decision over Brownsburg’s Preston Haines.
“(Last year) was a really big setback. It kind of took me out of the sport for a minute, but I think it made me stronger,” LaRocca said. “I know I’m the best guy in this weight class, and I’m going to go all the way and win the state ring.
“I just have to handle business. I know I have tough (opponents), but I’m tough too. It’s just how hard I train. How I hard I push myself in the room. I know nobody works as hard as me, and nobody works as hard as our team. I would not want to go to war with another group of guys.”
The confidence LaRocca exudes weaves its way through the entire team.
Merritt, who scored an exciting 7-6 win against Michael Hutchison of Cascade in the 160 finale to move to 38-4, also credits the work put in between competitions.
“This week in practice, I’m going as hard as I can every day because I just hate losing,” said Merritt, who also lost in the ticket round of semistate last winter. “Practices are hard, and all the guys are good, so it pushes all of us. We’re all getting better each and every day.”
At 170 pounds, Tinoco avenged his loss to Center Grove’s Noah Clouser in last week’s sectional championship match after the latter was injured 2 minutes, 53 seconds, into competition.
“I came in today a lot stronger mentally,” said Tinoco, who is now 34-5 on the season. “I’m really excited this year. I think it’s my year to go to state. I’ve been working really hard, and Joey Buttler has been working with me, and pushing me all year.”
McConnell improved to 35-1 by outpointing Gunner Henry of Brownsburg, 5-2, at 195 pounds.
“The key was defense,” McConnell said. “He has great shots, and I had to be good at down blocking and taking away his offense.”
At the Bloomington South Regional, Indian Creek senior Jackson Heaston won the 113-pound class with his pinning of Tell City sophomore Walter Hagedorn in the title match. Meanwhile, Jude Heaston, a sophomore, was third at 106 and will also be competing at semistate.
Roncalli finished second in the team standings at the Perry Meridian Regional with 125.5 points as eight individuals punched their tickets for semistate. Champions for the Royals were junior Braden Getz (145) and seniors Bryce Lowery (152), Luke Hansen (195) and Royce Deckard (220).
