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OV's Eli Hinshaw wins regional title; Patriots send seven to semi-state

Amanda York, Evening World
·2 min read

It was a great day to be a Patriot and a great day for Owen Valley wrestling. On Saturday, the OV wrestling team had a record day, sending seven athletes to semi-state by way of top four placements in the Bloomington South Regional.

The big winner for Owen Valley was junior Eli Hinshaw with a regional title at 195 pounds. Hinshaw pinned all three opponents in the first round and spent just 2:49 on the mat the entire day.

Junior Eli Hinshaw shoots in for a single leg takedown in the regional final. Hinshaw went on to pin his Edgewood opponent in just 25 seconds.
Junior Eli Hinshaw shoots in for a single leg takedown in the regional final. Hinshaw went on to pin his Edgewood opponent in just 25 seconds.

In the first round, Hinshaw pinned Bedford North Lawrence senior Gunner Connaughton at 1:17. In round two, he met West Vigo's Brock Higgins, taking him down with a pin at the 1:07 mark. In the finals, Hinshaw went in for a single leg takedown and pinned Edgewood's Colten Hubbell in just 25 seconds for the title.

Eli Hinshaw receives a congratulatory high-five from his coach, Steven Spicer, after his regional championship win.
Eli Hinshaw receives a congratulatory high-five from his coach, Steven Spicer, after his regional championship win.

"Eli dominated all day with three first period pins," OV head coach Steven Spicer said. "Eli is peaking at the right time!"

Eli Hinshaw stands atop the podium after winning the regional title at 195 pounds. Edgewood's Colten Hubbell was second, Terre Haute North's Samuel Saunders third and West Vigo's Brock Higgins fourth.
Eli Hinshaw stands atop the podium after winning the regional title at 195 pounds. Edgewood's Colten Hubbell was second, Terre Haute North's Samuel Saunders third and West Vigo's Brock Higgins fourth.

Junior Logan McGraw also made it to the finals, finishing second at 285 pounds. Senior Jerry McBee was third at 182 pounds. The Patriots also had four athletes finish fourth including Eli Collier at 106 pounds, Branson Weaver at 126, Kain Mobley at 132 and Bryce Mills at 220.

"Seven advancing to semi-state is always a good day!" Coach Spicer continued. "Eli Collier, Branson Weaver, Bryce Mills and Kain Mobley finally punch their tickets to semi-state. I'm super happy and proud of them! Jerry fought all day in a stacked weight (class). McGraw fell in the finals to a tough and undefeated competitor.

"We have one more week to prepare and train for semi-state," Coach Spicer continued. "Getting some state qualifiers/placers is the goal!"

Hinshaw (32-6) will begin his day taking on Brownsburg senior Sam Lapadat (28-15). McGraw (25-3) will face Evansville Reitz Memorial's Barry Duff (12-2) and McBee (30-3) will take on Jared Slocum II (32-7) of Columbus North.

Other OV competitors and their competition include:

  • Eli Collier (21-10) vs. Isaiah Schaefer (31-2), Evansville Mater Dei;

  • Branson Weaver (29-4) vs. Justice Thornton (36-2), Columbus North;

  • Kain Mobley (31-8) vs. Odin Fortune (42-4), Evansville F.J. Reitz; and

  • Bryce Mills (28-8) vs. Tommy Morrill (34-1), Columbus East

The Evansville Semi-State will take place at the Ford Center and will begin at 8 a.m. Central Time or 9 a.m. Eastern Time.

This article originally appeared on Evening World: OV's Eli Hinshaw wins regional title; Patriots send seven to semi-state