Wawasee’s four state finalists pose (among some NLC friends) at the IHSAA Wrestling State Finals during the Parade of Champions prior to action Friday afternoon at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The first half of the IHSAA Wrestling State Finals opening round are in the books, and both of Wawasee’s lightweights found their tournament fates this afternoon at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

106 – Matt Baylor of Milan 11, Kaleb Salazar 7
Things started off well for Salazar in the opening round of the state finals. A takedown early in the first had Salazar open the scoring, and took a 4-0 lead off a reversal to open the second. The two each countered with reversals to move the scoreboard, Salazar up 6-2 halfway through.
It was there, however, Salazar ran into trouble. Baylor managed to get an escape and then went on a scoring barrage. A takedown with 32 seconds left in the second started a 9-0 run for Baylor that including a three nearfall midway through the third. At that point, it was 11-6 Baylor and Salazar’s injured shoulder had flared up.
Salazar was awarded one late penalty point on a stall call, but would see his season end there.
“He did change his style midway through the match that put him positions he didn’t want to be in,” said Wawasee head coach Frank Bumgardner. “Some of that has to do with environment and circumstance. Some of that has to do with his opponent. Credit to (Baylor), he put Kaleb in positions that worked out in his favor. Kaleb tried to wrestle through those and didn’t dictate the action that made Kaleb comfortable.”

113 – Jalen May of Kokomo 5, Cam Senter 3
There wasn’t much to write about through two periods as May and Senter generated very little offense. May, content with staying in a crouch and waiting for a shot opportunity, didn’t give Senter, who didn’t land much contact other than two hands on shoulders, a whole lot to say. Through two periods, May led 2-0 on a single takedown in the first, but that changed in the third as May opened with an escape.
As Senter had to speed up his plans, May caught Senter open on the take and got a takedown to move to a 5-0 lead.
Senter was able to get three points back late in the third on an escape and quick takedown, but time ran out before the takedown could materialize into anything.
“The fact that he stayed in that position so long makes you wonder, what is he doing, and why?” Bumgardner said of May’s style. “That can play mind games for sure, but on paper, May was a substantial favorite and after two periods, we’re only down 2-0. We’re still in it but we just started the third on the wrong side of three quick points.”

Final thoughts from Bum: “We look at two regional championships, two sectional championships and two NLC titles out of those two, and two state berths. That’s a pretty good one-two punch right out of the top of the lineup, and they both come back next year. If these men can continue to mature and grow in the sport, they have a really bright future ahead of them.”

Hunter Miller will take on Hamilton Southeastern’s Zach Lang in the 152-pound bracket at approximately 5:30 p.m. and Donnie Blair will see Brownsburg’s Gunner Henry in the 195-pound bracket.