2025-26 Jay County girls wrestling preview

Projected lineup

Katie Rowles – 100

Chloe Torres – 105

Alayna Willoughby – 110

Alexis Tipton – 115

Aubree Shannon – 120

Gracie Rowles – 125

Kaileigh Compton – 125/130

Laurel Miller – 130

Kaylee Bramlett – 135

Maleah Parsons – 135/140

Alison Lopez – 145

Kelly Jones – 145

Madison Gage – 155

Makynli Doss – 155/170

Amara Crawford – 170

Jolee White – 190

Kenady Lyons – 235

Top returners

Katie Rowles

31-5, fourth at state

Amara Crawford

34-4, regional finalist

Madison Gage

20-14, regional finalist

Maleah Parsons

26-8, state finalist (2022)

Key departures

Mallory Winner

32-0, state champion

Lina Lingo

30-8, eighth at state

Tatianna Willis

28-7, state appearance

Emily Manor

28-7, state finalist (2024)

Fast facts

•Jay County is no stranger to postseason success as it won the first IHSAA sectional tournament in 2024, was the regional runner-up, placed sixth at state and finished third at team state. 

•The Patriots have sent at least one girl to state since 2018 and made the inaugural team state late season.

•This will be Troy Jacks’ first year at the helm of the Patriots after taking over for Eric Myers. Jacks was previously an assistant coach and is keeping Pat Rowles and Chad Chowning on his staff.

•JCHS graduated four wrestlers with state experience, including one of the most decorated Patriots of all time in Mallory Winner. She had four state titles and an overall record of 103-2.

•The Patriots’ schedule will feature more dual matches than usual with seven compared to five invitationals, one of which includes dual matches.

Coach Troy Jacks says

“I’m really excited about this year, because we have a lot of new faces. So, we are sitting at 17 girls on our roster, filling all of the weight classes, which is a first for us. We’ve never had from 100 all the way to 235, a full lineup, up and down the board. That is super exciting. We have multiple-sport athletes coming in for the first time, some are seniors, some are juniors. Obviously, incoming freshmen are here that were a big surprise to us, which tells us that wrestling is growing. We realize it all over the state. We’re seeing it in our room. So our ultimate goal is to win the sectional and be back at team state.”

2024-25 season

The IHSAA sponsored girls wrestling for the first time last season, and the Patriots ripped off a strong first year. They won the sectional by 85 points to punch the inaugural ticket to the team state duals. Jay County also had 10 girls compete at the regional, including five who advanced to the state finals. Mallory Winner won her fourth state title and the first with the IHSAA logo etched on the trophy with a perfect 32-0 season. Katie Rowles won a pair of matches as well to take fourth at state. Lina Lingo and Brenna Ruble both made the podium in eighth place, while Tatianna Willis bowed out in the opening match. The Patriots claimed third place at the team state tournament and barely missed out on a spot in the championship after falling to champion Merrillville 53-30 in the semifinal.

Date    Opponent    Time

Saturday, Nov. 8    Monroe Central Invite    7:30 a.m.

Thursday, Nov. 13    Rich./Munc. Cen.    6 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 20    Columbia City    6 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 22    Mooresville duals    9 a.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 2    Centerville    6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 4    Hamilton SE    6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 6    East Noble Invite    9 a.m.

Thursday, Dec. 11    New Haven    6 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 13    Northwestern Invite    10 a.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 16    South Side    6 p.m.

Fri-Sat, Dec. 19-20    Findlay Invite    11 a.m.

Friday, Jan. 2    Sectional    9 a.m.

Friday, Jan. 9    Regional    5 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 16    State Finals    10:30 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 24    Team State Duals    TBD

Home matches in bold

Matches to watch

Saturday, Nov. 8, at Monroe Central Invitational

With 13 girls new to the varsity level, this will provide an early measure for where each Patriot is at this season.

Thursday, Nov. 13, vs. Richmond and Muncie Central

The opening double dual will be one of the more impactful ones on the schedule as the Patriots will likely see some of these opponents in the sectional.

Friday-Saturday, Dec. 19-20, at Findlay

The meet in northwest Ohio provides one final tune up for the Patriots before they prepare for the tournament.

Friday, Jan. 2, Sectional at Muncie Central

Jay County won the sectional last year. Not only are they looking to take some more hardware home, but winning the sectional clinches a spot at the team state duals.