Mater Dei wrestlers roll at IHSAA regional; Memorial, Castle standouts still perfect

NEWBURGH, Ind. — Isaiah Schaefer had set a pretty lofty goal for himself.

One week after his seventh-place finish for 106 at last year's IHSAA wrestling state championship, he told his club coaches that he wanted to be his school's first three-time individual state champion.

Isaiah's father, Wildcats coach Greg Schaefer, was happy that he set that high of a goal but ultimately wants nothing but for his son to be the best version of himself.

"You can't reach potential without setting goals," Schaefer said. "I agree with his mentality of trying to set goals and reach them."

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The Wildcats graduated Brody Baumann and Gabe Sollars, who clinched back-to-back state titles last season. One of the best wrestlers in Evansville history, Blake Maurer, was a four-time state champ. And now Isaiah, a sophomore, hopes to make a name for himself in Mater Dei's storied history.

Schaefer's constant work on the mat has led him to be one of the state's best grapplers in the 120-pound class. After Saturday's IHSAA regional at Castle, the No. 3-ranked wrestler is 31-2 with back-to-back conference, sectional and regional titles under his belt.

He was up close to see Baumann and Sollars reach the pinnacle last season. He learned what it takes to be the best. So, he's now the first Wildcat to arrive at practice and the last person to leave.

"They have so much inner drive and motivation, and being around those kind of guys inspires you to do your best," Isaiah said. "I think it's been five years consecutive with a state champion, so I look to keep that streak going."

His work ethic has also rubbed off on his older teammates, especially on his practice partner Evan Seng, a senior and two-time state finalist. Seng is the No. 3 wrestler in the 126-pound class and 27-3 this season. Like Isaiah, he also defended his regional title and believes he has unfinished business. He finished in fifth place at 113 last year at state.

"I try to have as much fun as I can on and off the mat," Seng said. "But most importantly, I just want to be as dominant as I can on the mat. I want to make the most of my last year here. That's simply my motivation."

"I wouldn't be anywhere close to here without him," Isaiah added. "I get choked up thinking about next year when he's going to be gone because he's such a big part of my wrestling and high school career. He's done so much to help me over the past few years. I couldn't ask for anyone better to train with."

Mater Dei once again dominated in its 13th straight regional team championship. The Wildcats will send wrestlers to Ford Center for semistate in 13 of the 14 weight classes. Tyler Vanover and Hunter May also won individual titles at 138 and 152, respectively.

The semistate is seen as a challenging day with a trip to state on the line against the best wrestlers in Southern Indiana. May, a junior who is 29-1 and ranked No. 3 in his class, knows better than to take any remaining matches lightly.

"It'll be nice coming in as a one seed," May said. "My goals for next weekend is that my team stays safe (and) that the Lord gives us the opportunity to do the best of our ability. (I) hope that we have a good week at practice and if at all possible get some matches over with quickly next week."

Schaefer added: "What I look forward to the most is watching our guys and knowing that they're giving it their all and being able to live with that. Hopefully, (we can) be able to have some celebrations at the end of the day."

Castle's John Purdy, Memorial's Kelton Farmer continue to chase perfection

The seniors and two-time state finalists have plenty of motivation to make it back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse as they remain perfect.

Farmer hasn't placed in any of his state appearances. Coming up short lit a fire in him heading into his final year, especially after his older brothers Eric and Aiden had set a family standard. Aiden placed third at state at 170 last season for Memorial.

"They're great brothers to have, really knowledgeable," said Farmer, who is 33-0 at 285. "They'll call me every weekend and talk to me about wrestling. They really helped push me to achieve more."

Meanwhile, Purdy embraces a team-first mentality. He doesn't care that he's 37-0, or that he's the top-ranked wrestler in the 195-pound class. He finds more joy in doing what is needed for his teammates, like making sure they're hydrated and ready to go for their matches.

He also isn't worrying about his opponents as much in his final year. That factor, as well as a more confident approach to himself, has mainly led to his unblemished record.

"I'm looking forward to get better every match and beat myself," Purdy said. "That's what always got in my way at semistate is that I just get in my head. I've got to get out of that and wrestle my best matches and I'll come home with a win."

Courier & Press sports reporter Treasure Washington can be reached via her email, treasure.washington@courierpress.com, and on Twitter @Twashington490.

CASTLE WRESTLING REGIONAL RESULTS

Team scores: Mater Dei 204.5, Heritage Hills 144.5, North 78, Reitz 71, Castle 57, Memorial 47, Central 42.5, North Posey 37, Vincennes Lincoln 36, Tecumseh 35

Championship matches

106: Ty Henderson (Vincennes Lincoln) dec. Brady Byrd (Washington) 5-4

113: Gavin Wheeler (NP) dec. Cam Baumann (MD) 5-4

120: Isaiah Schaefer (MD) pinned Leighton Ramsey (Castle) 1:38

126: Evan Seng (MD) major dec. over Zach Traylor (Reitz) 13-4

132: Odin Fortune (Reitz) pinned Brenden Elpers (MD) 3:34

138: Tyler Vanover (MD) dec. Keegan Williams (Memorial) 6-1

145: Luke Robards (Central) major dec. over Alex Smith (HH) 13-4

152: Hunter May (MD) pinned Brendan Chew (HH) 0:39

160: Luke Kemper (Central) pinned Peyton Bell (North) 1:47

170: Jett Goldsberry (HH) dec. Spencer Turner (MD) 7-3

182: Cale Johnson (North) dec. Braxton Schaefer (HH) 7-4

195: John Purdy (Castle) pinned Parker Hart (HH) 1:49

220: Mason Hines (Tecumseh) pinned Brody Ford (HH) 2:51

285: Kelton Farmer (Memorial) dec. Austin Vanover (MD) 5-2

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA wrestling: These Evansville-area standouts are on to semistate