The Henderson County Colonels turned in a strong postseason performance Saturday, finishing fifth out of 14 teams with 101 points at the KHSAA Region 1 Wrestling Tournament. The Colonels remained in contention for fourth place until the final matches, ultimately coming up just three points shy.
“We were aggressive in every weight class we had,” head coach Jermaine Poynter said. “Every match the boys had, there was at least one dogfight. They scrapped and displayed a never-quitting attitude. Our boys came out and fought every match.”
Four Henderson County wrestlers qualified for the state tournament, while two others secured alternate positions:
• Ethan Peckenpaugh (175 lbs) – 2nd Place
• Camryn Ramirez (165 lbs) – 4th Place
• Brock Crook (190 lbs) – 4th Place
• Kayden Lambert (285 lbs) – 4th Place
• Javian Young (215 lbs) – 5th Place (State Alternate)
• Brayden Ratliff (157 lbs) – 5th Place (State Alternate)
Peckenpaugh led the Colonels with a runner-up finish at 175 pounds, highlighted by a dominant technical fall and impressive performances throughout the tournament.
“Ethan Peckenpaugh had a nice tech fall. He was very dominant and controlled,” Poynter said. “He used lots of skill and technique in his matches.”
“My performance was alright, there were just a few minor mistakes that could be fixed,” Peckenpaugh said. “But I went out with an open mind, knowing that God was in control, and I executed the skills and training I’ve been practicing all year.”
Peckenpaugh said his preparation focused on trusting his training and rising to the occasion, especially when facing top-ranked competition.
“What I’m most proud of is how I competed when I went against number one Ben Hall,” he said. “I showed that no matter what, I’m going to give my all on that mat.”
Henderson County’s fifth-place finish was fueled by aggressive wrestling and bonus-point victories throughout the lineup. Brayden Ratliff and Javian Young each recorded three pins, while Camryn Ramirez, Kayden Lambert, and Brock Crook added two pins apiece. Peckenpaugh and Mattix Sohne each contributed one pin.
“Whether it was Brayden Ratliff or Javian Young, who hit a lat drop and threw a kid out of nowhere with his feet flying, we brought pressure from anyone who wrestled,” Poynter said.
The Colonels entered the regional tournament with a focused preparation plan designed to ensure they were at full strength.
“Like the girls’ team, we purposefully took a couple of weeks to get healthy and ramp up,” Poynter said.
Poynter also credited assistant coaches Josh Bell, Eddie Payne and Jackson Hogg for their consistent work in preparing and supporting the wrestlers throughout the season.
Henderson County will send six boys and five girls to the state tournament at AllTech Arena in Lexington from Feb. 26 through Feb. 28.
“We wrestle each match like it’s our last,” Poynter said. “No one match is bigger than the other. We will go one match at a time and handle our business.”
