By Terry Boehmker
NKy Tribune sports reporter
Tanner Yenter of Campbell County and Casey Cornett of Simon Kenton were among the 14 wrestlers who won gold medals in the championship finals of the Kentucky state high school tournament on Saturday at AllTech Arena near Lexington.
Yenter defeated Konner Kraeszig of Louisville St. Xavier, 7-4, in the 113-pound weight class to finish his junior season with a 46-5 record. This is the fifth consecutive year that a Campbell County wrestler has won a state title.
In the 170-pound final, Cornett dominated Christopher Morrow of Madison Central to post a 13-5 decision. The Simon Kenton junior pinned three of his five opponents in state tournament matches to close out the season with a 64-2 record.
Cody Huston of Cooper was state runner-up in the 145-pound weight class. He is the first Cooper wrestler to make it to the championship finals and finished with a 46-4 record.
The local wrestlers who won matches in the consolation bracket finals to earn third-place medals were Brady Wells of Campbell County (120), Dante Castellano of Simon Kenton (126), Logan Erdman of Ryle (138), Mason Smith of Walton-Verona (145) and Brett Graziani of Campbell County (195).
Erdman, who won a state title last year, was upset in the opening round on Friday and then won seven consecutive matches in the consolation bracket. His final record was 42-4.
Union County won the team title with 187.5 points. Campbell County placed seventh with 108 points and Walton-Verona placed 10th with 89.5. Both of those local teams had five wrestlers earn medals by placing in the top eight of their weight class.
CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET FINALS
113 — Tanner Yenter (Campbell County) won by decision over Konner Kraeszig (St. Xavier), 7-4.
145 – Jackson Oxford (Union County) won by decision over Cody Huston (Cooper), 8-2.
170 – Casey Cornett (Simon Kenton) won by major decision over Christopher Morrow (Madison Central), 13-5.
CONSOLATION BRACKET FINALS
120 — Brady Wells (Campbell County) won by decision over Tucker Hurst (Woodford County), 8-2.
126 — Dante Castellano (Simon Kenton) won by major decision over Jake Peace (Walton-Verona), 10-1.
132 – Justin Torgerson (Lafayette) won by decision over Jordan Monroe (Cooper), 6-3.
138 – Logan Erdman (Ryle) won by decision over Trent Johnson (John Hardin), 6-5.
145 – Mason Smith (Walton-Verona) won by decision over Dallas Miles (St. Xavier), 3-1.
152 – Geordan Blanton (Johnson Central) won by decision over Tristin Badida (Conner), 3-2.
160 – Andrew Ackley (Nelson County) won by fall over Matthew Munoz (Dixie Heights), 1:42.
195 – Brett Graziani (Campbell County) won by decision over Emir Bernabe (Woodford County), 4-1.
285 — Justus Williams (Madison Southern) won by fall over Hunter Ruber (Walton-Verona), 0:36.