Theurer, Burnfield get good draws (02/25/2009)

Ben Theurer's final win Saturday earned him the honor of a sectional championship. But that was not all.

By winning the sectional title, the Jay County High School senior almost guaranteed himself a trip to the wrestling semi-state.

In previous years a wrestler had to win two regional matches to earn a top-three placing and a trip to the semi-state. But the IHSAA has changed the tournament format this year. The top four wrestlers in each weight class will advance, which means one win and you're in.

The change sets up nicely for Theurer (140), who opens Saturday's regional at JCHS against Jeff Pormen of Muncie Southside. Pormen comes into the regional with an 8-19 record, a winning percentage of less than 30, while Theurer is 30-4.

Second place in that weight class wasn't a bad position to be in, however, as South Adams' T. J. Burnfield also opens against an opponent with a record below .500. He will start against Winchester sophomore Zach Boyd, who is just 13-18 on the year.

The path to semi-state is more difficult for the remaining six Patriots and nine Starfires competing in the regional tournament as they will at least open against wrestlers with winning marks.

Eighth-ranked Casey Kenney, Jay County's other sectional champion, will try to continue his run to a second straight trip to the state finals as he starts against Zach Starling (16-13) of Delta at 119 pounds.

The top competition for both Theurer and Kenney for a regional title comes in the form of undefeated wrestlers. Theurer would likely have to deal with Randolph Southern's Josh Martin (31-0) while No. 7 Derek Bevans (34-0) of Yorktown will stand in Kenney's way.

One of South Adams' two sectional champions will also find a standout from No. 12 Yorktown in his path. Chase Sprunger (26-7) will open against Mason Hummel (16-14) of Winchester at 145 pounds, but would likely have to beat Jordan Dulaney (33-1) of Yorktown to earn a regional title.

Todd Batt (30-2), who won the 103-pound sectional crown for the Starfires, starts against Karsen Corn (18-8) of Daleville. Jay County's Matt Seagraves (13-17) will face a tall order on the other side of the bracket as he battles Muncie Central's Travis Bryant (30-4) in the first round.

Southside is the most common opponent for the JCHS wrestlers. Along with Theurer, Skylar Finnerty (20-9) opens against No. 6 Bryant Whitaker (30-2) in the 152-pound bracket and Matt James (23-10) takes on Jimmy King (33-2) at 215 pounds.

Kyler Blowers (23-5) faces perhaps the most difficult opening-round match of the day as he must deal with Winchester's Adam Chalfant in the heavyweight bracket. Chalfant is ranked No. 1 in the state, has a 28-0 record and was the state runner-up last season.

South Adams' Jim West (28-4) could also see Chalfant Saturday. West starts against Muncie Central's Brock French (14-7) with a possible battle against Chalfant in the semifinals.

Sectional runner-up Sha White (22-5) will start his day in the 189-pound bracket against Yorktown's Grant Brown (23-15).

The most common first-round opponent for South Adams is Winchester as two other Starfires join Chase Sprunger and Burnfield in opening their days against Golden Falcons. John Striker (22-4) begins against Tim Baker (13-9) at 125 pounds, and Josh Ehr (25-8) will start against Jordan Simmons (21-9) in the 130-pound tournament.

SAHS also faces three Yorktown opponents in the first round, beginning with Dustin Hunt (13-5) against No. 2 Kyle Mosier (34-0) at 152 pounds. Nick Taylor (12-14) will meet Trent Castner (31-2) at 160 pounds, and Jackson Werst (31-2) opens against Scott Neff (12-10) in the 215-pound bracket.

Gabe Sprunger (25-9) will kick off his day against 11th-ranked Steve Gonzales (305) of Delta at 112 pounds.[[In-content Ad]]