Hoptown sending 2 wrestlers to KHSAA state meet

The Hopkinsville Tigers’ wrestling team will send two grapplers to this weekend’s KHSAA State Wrestling Tournament based on their finishes Saturday at the Region 1 Meet at Henderson County High School.

Christon Johnson took third place in the 120-pound division and Ayden Brison was fourth in the 113-pound division to earn state bids.

Johnson finished his day 3-1 with victories over Fort Campbell’s Ethan Gilmore (17-1), Paducah’s Christopher Moore (22-9) and Fort Campbell’s Gilmore 19-3 in the third-place match. His only loss came to Union County’s Jaxson Mayberry (10-0).

Brison dropped his first match and wrestled back to win his next two matches against Caldwell County’s Trey Herron (19-3) and Fort Campbell Andy Cintron (15-8). Paducah Tilghman’s Jake Pulliam defeated Brison 10-0 in the third-place match.

The Tigers had five wrestlers finish in the top six at the regional meet, which is its best showing at the regional tournament since the 2020-21 season.

Other Tigers who placed but did not earn state bids included Nicholas Herrera (6th, 132), Andrew Kraft (6th, 138), and Kannen Deaton (6th, 157).

Braden Brison (126), Garrison Meacham (144), and Conner Harris (215) also wrestled for the Tigers on Saturday.

Union County won the team title with 335 points, followed by Paducah Tilghman (252). Christian County had 158, and Fort Campbell was fourth with 103. Henderson County rounded the top five with 101 points.

Hoptown was ninth with 63 points.

Photos by Peyton Biaquis