(This article first appeared in the December print edition of the Hendersonian.)
As Henderson County enters its eighth season since wrestling returned as a KHSAA-sanctioned sport in 2018, head coach Jermaine Poynter finds himself leading a program that has grown from a restart into a competitive regional opponent.
Poynter helped revive the sport after an 11-year absence, and now, the Colonels feature both strong boys and girls programs, an exciting feeder system and a track record of steady improvement at the regional and state levels.
Last season, the Colonels finished fourth in Region 1, which is widely seen as the toughest region in Kentucky. Union County has controlled the region for the past 22 years, but HCHS has continued to increase in competitiveness, despite having a much younger program.
This season, the biggest challenge will be replacing the 11 seniors who graduated. Many of them were anchors of the lineup and are now wrestling in college, including Wyatt Payne (Georgetown College), Jaxson Wallace (Bellarmine), La’Travion Johnson (Lindsey Wilson), Sydney Chambers (West Liberty), and Jasmin Beckham (Georgetown College). Losing that group in one offseason forces a reset, and Poynter acknowledged that by saying, “We’re kind of regrouping this year.”
Despite that, the offseason was a productive one. Poynter emphasized the importance of physical development and improvement when preparing the new roster.
“Strength and conditioning was the big thing,” Poynter said. “Getting our kids to start lifting and getting stronger, and getting in better shape. Technique-wise, I think we’re competing with the other teams. Lots of kids spent time focusing on offseason camps and clinics to perfect their craft.”
The boys’ team enters the season younger than in recent years, but the roster still contains two wrestlers with state experience and several others with state potential.
Ethan Peckenpaugh returns as one of the top competitors in the region and is expected to wrestle at 175 pounds. Poynter is confident in what he brings to the mat. “He should be back on track to make another state run,” he said.
Lane Corpe finished fourth at region last year at 132, being the other Colonel to punch his ticket to the state championships.
The Colonels also get a boost from the return of Braxton Payne, a former state qualifier who is back after taking a year away from the sport. He is expected to compete at 138 pounds.
Another key name is Brock Crook, who placed fifth in the region at 165 last season, barely missing out on a state berth. Crook is expected to compete at either 190 or 215 this year, and the staff expects a leap from him. “I look to see big things from him,” Poynter said.
Two other wrestlers were close to qualifying for state last season and return with higher expectations. Among them are Asher Daily, who finished fifth at 106, and Wyatt Holland, who took sixth at 157. They were competitive in a region that often produces state finalists in each weight class, and both are capable of taking the next step this year.
Even with the youth, Poynter sees something promising in the group’s spirit and effort. “We’ve been tough the past couple of years,” he said. “Really, this year, even with the new kids, I am seeing a lot of heart and grit. Whether a new wrestler or a returning wrestler, you’re going to see them step on the mat and fight every time.”
He added that the overall program goals have remained consistent through the rebuild. “Just getting out there and keep moving forward. Every year so far, we’ve increased the number of kids that we’ve taken to the state tournament. We are looking to stay consistent with that and put kids in positions to be successful.”
The girls’ team enters the season with significant momentum after a strong showing in the second KHSAA girls state tournament in 2025. Henderson made history when Naomi Santiago won the state championship in the 152-pound division the year before, and while there were no champions last year, the Lady Colonels bring back six state qualifiers.
Wrestling at 132 pounds, Kailyn Franks will be a name to watch. At 138, the program adds a major contributor in transfer Lexie Gobin, who was a state placer last year while competing for Caldwell County.
Kennedy Sohne returns at 114 after placing fifth at state last season and remains one of the program’s most consistent performers. Evie Estes returns at 235. She placed at state two years ago and qualified again last year.
Charleigh Olmsted, who finished fourth in Region 1 at 132 last season, will look to make some noise again this year.
Henderson also continues to develop young talent, including Serenity Rivera, who qualified for state as a seventh grader last year.
Poynter is confident in the group’s potential this winter. “My girls’ team should be strong, and even though my boys’ team will be in a little bit of a rebuilding year, we’ll be competitive,” he said.
Henderson will also host one of the largest girls-only tournaments in the state on Dec. 20, which will bring in programs from across the area.
One of the biggest reasons for the growth of both programs is the strength of the middle school pipeline.
The Henderson County middle school team has expanded rapidly and is led by Poynter’s son, J.J. Poynter, a former collegiate wrestler at Mount St. Joseph. The elder Poynter credits much of the program’s long-term progress to the foundation being built at the middle school level.
“The middle school program is ramping up and having lots of success right now,” he said. “He’s got my middle school program prepped and ready. They’re competing hard, and he is putting them in a position to be successful. The future is bright for us right now.”
That feeder system will be on display during the Big Brother Big Sister Dual on Dec. 9, which will serve as the team’s first home dual of the season. Both the high school and middle school wrestlers will compete, giving younger athletes the chance to experience the varsity environment and strengthening the bond between the two levels of the program.
With a strong girls roster, a boys team eager to prove itself, and a feeder system preparing athletes, Henderson County wrestling enters the 2025–26 season with confidence. Expect both the Colonels and Lady Colonels to be competitive in Region 1.
