The second half of the IHSAA Wrestling State Finals opening round is complete, and one Warrior will move onto the podium round.

Hunter Miller will be that man this year, joining the legacy of Warriors as podium finisher at the state finals after winning his opening round matchup Friday night in the 152-pound class. Donnie Blair tried to make it two, but couldn’t solve a very stout opponent from Brownsburg as the night wore on in Indianapolis.

152 – Hunter Miller 3, Zach Lang of Hamilton Southeast 0

It’s been said on these stories so many times before, “Hunter Miller is as technically sound as anyone on the roster…” and, by God, he was again Friday night. Not allowing a point to Lang was again a clinical show for Miller, who was never really in danger of being scored upon, and only once was in a position where Lang had any leverage on a turn.

A takedown late in the first period would become all Miller would need, but added an escape off the bottom to open the second with a 3-0 lead. There were snippets of moments late in the second and into the third where Miller might have pushed a little harder for points. But honestly, he didn’t need to, stayed in control of Lang, and the two-time Academic All-State used his smarts to move onto the podium platform.

“I thought there were a couple times where, on his feet in the second period, we needed to attack a little bit more and put an exclamation point on the period and finish on top,” said Wawasee head coach Frank Bumgardner. “If it’s 5-0, all of a sudden 3-0 isn’t as scary. But at the same time, he spent most of the time on top and just rode him hard. Kid was scrambling to make stuff happen and Hunter just kept position and rolled around with him. He did a very, very good job of being in control and winning a tough match.”

Miller returns tomorrow morning to take on Hunter May of Evansville Mater Dei in the quarterfinals. Wrestling will continue until the top eight places are claimed.

195 – Gunner Henry of Brownsburg 17, Donnie Blair 6

Donnie knew it, Bum knew it, Brownsburg knew it. Henry was the overwhelming favorite, and rightfully so with his résumé coming in. No. 2 in the state, Henry was a mismatch for Blair, who did come in off a semi-state runner-up finish, but himself knew it was going to take a miracle. “Shock the world?” It didn’t happen this time.

To his credit, Blair did hang around for all three periods and made Henry work for every point he got. Henry worked through eight takedowns and allowed most of the escapes to Blair to make up the point differential on the scoreboard. But in a bracket loaded with big-time talent, Bum was not disappointed in the least with his junior, who will return as one of the senior leaders in the fall.

“He went hard and lost a wrestling match against a better kid,” Bumgardner said. “We were trying to figure out tying in what they do and merge into where we’re good. But, at the same time, their kid was really good and you have to give him credit for why he’s that good. He can do more than one thing. He very legitimately can go win a state title, and kudos for Donnie for hanging in there for six minutes against him.”

Added Bum on Blair’s season: “He’s got a great spirit and he’s a great human being. He’s a joy to have in the room. You talk about pressure or expectation, we just expect him to be Donnie and be a fun-loving human being and make the room more enjoyable. His hard work has put him here, and his leadership has made our program better.”