2025-26 Jay County boys wrestling preview

2024-25 season

The Patriots took a step back during last year’s campaign as they missed out on the team state tournament for the first time since 2019 (four seasons) and failed to get anyone to state for the first time since 2011 (14 seasons). Jay County came up just short to Adams Central in both the ACAC Duals and the ACAC tournament. JCHS fell to the Jets 47-30 in the opening round of the Allen County Athletic Conference Duals before going on to win the other five matches.The Patriots claimed the title in five weight classes via Corbin Lothridge, Alan Ortiz, Griffin Byrum, A.J. Heskett and A.J. Myers, but ACHS also had five champs and three runners-up. Jay County finished third at the sectional behind Bellmont and Adams Central and claimed fifth place at the regional tournament.

Coach Tyler Leonhard says

“I’m just excited with the group of guys that we have, especially our senior class. They had the chance to learn under a whole bunch of talented senior classes before them, so they’re kind of taking that leadership and instilling it in all of the rest of the guys and getting everybody ready for the season. … Last year we didn’t get into team state which kinda bummed us out a bit. I think that put a chip on our guys’ shoulders and honestly why everyone’s been working so hard. … Last year would have been 15 years in a row we sent someone to state, but we’re kind of stuck at the 14 number, so I think that’s another motivating factor not only for this senior class, but also for the underclassmen that want to prove themselves.”

Projected lineup

Corbin Lothridge – 106

Mitchell Byrum – 106

Bryce Whisler – 106

Anthony Campofiore – 113

Sylas Wenk – 120

Alexander Rivers – 126

Karson Hines – 126

Gavin Fennig – 132

Cooper Glassford – 132/138

Jason Landers– 132/138

Miles Jones – 144

Gabriel Ardizzone – 144

Carson Tarter – 144

Jacob Robinson – 150

Chandler Murphy – 150

Dylan Bolt – 150

Caleb Sibray – 157/165

Mario Ardizzone – 165

Bryan Fields – 175

Freddie Lingo – 190

Efren Ruiz-Herrera – 190

Varen Ridgway – 215

Alan Ortiz – 215/285

Spencer Smitley – 285

Top returners

Alan Ortiz

32-4, regional qualifier

Jacob Robinson

25-5, injured in postseason

Jason Landers

27-14, semi-state qualifier

Corbin Lothridge

28-12, semi-state qualifier

Key departures

Griffin Byrum

36-5, semi-state qualifier

A.J. Heskett

36-6, semi-state qualifier

Bryce Coy

23-12, regional qualifier

A.J. Myers

19-7, semi-state qualifier

Fast facts

•Last season broke a 14-year streak of sending at least one wrestler to the state tournament. Griffin Byrum and A.J. Heskett both came close but fell in the ticket round at semi-state.

•Jay County last won its sectional in 2023, while Bellmont has claimed the title in five of the last six years.

•This will be Tyler Leonhard’s first year at the helm of the Patriots after taking over for Eric Myers. Leonhard graduated JCHS in 2017 and started as an assistant in 2022.

•Jay County has struggled with some health problems the last few years right before entering the postseason. Two years ago, Cameron Clark went down before the playoffs and last year, Jacob Robinson was sidelined with an injury.

•The Patriots’ schedule will feature more dual matches than usual with 11 (including the ACAC Duals) compared to just three invitationals.

Schedule

Date    Opponent    Time

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

Saturday, Dec. 6    Western    9 a.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 9    Delta/York./Winch.    6 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 13    ACAC Duals     9 a.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 16    Norwell    6 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 23    ECIC    9 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 3    Battle in the Bear Den    8:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 6    Coldwater    7 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 15    Homestead    6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 17    Concordia Lutheran    9 a.m.

Friday, Jan. 23    ACAC Tourney (Bluff.)    6 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 31    Sectional    8:30 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 7    Regional    8:30 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 14    Semi-State    8:30 a.m.

Friday, Feb. 20    State Finals    2 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 21    State Finals    10 a.m.

Home matches in bold

Matches to watch

Tuesday, Dec. 9 vs. Delta/Yorktown/Winchester

After missing the team state tournament last season, picking up a win over Delta would be an enormous resume builder to try to make it back in.

Tuesday, Dec. 23, in East Central Indiana Classic

After a week off, the Patriots will host the East Central Indiana Classic, which includes a plethora of strong teams including Delta, Oak Hill and Coldwater.

Friday, Jan. 31, ACAC Tournament at Bluffton

Not only does the ACAC Tournament determine bragging rights inside of the conference, it is one final chance for a tune-up before the postseason.

Saturday, Feb. 14, Semi-state at Fort Wayne

Two of the returning Patriots fell in the semi-state last season and will look to redeem themselves this year.