Three of Hopkinsville’s four wrestlers that wrestled Friday at the KHSAA State Wrestling Tournament in Lexington advanced to Saturday’s consolation round.
Zlatko Skuljan won his first two matches easily. He won by fall over Fairdale’s Brandon Burchett (0:16) and Martin County’s Randy Kinser (2:48). He dropped into the consolation bracket with a loss to No. 3 Nathaniel Lawrence of Franklin County by pin (2:31).
Kevonni Young lost his opener to Matthew Hendricks of Bullitt East by fall (0:41). He rebounded to claim a 7-6 decision over Johnson Central’s Bladen Sexton in the consolation bracket. He advanced to Saturday’s consolation round with a 13-10 decision over St. Xavier’s Kashiku Hutcheson.
Denarius Barnes opened with a loss to Oldham County’s Blake Young by fall (0:45) in the first round at 220. He picked up a win over Boyle County’s Nate Rush by fall (0:35) in the consolation round. He battled back to claim a 12-8 decision over Joseph Fisher of Letcher County Central to advance to Saturday.
Trushaun Matt won his first ever state tournament match with a pin of Perry County Central’s Hayden Canady in 2:45. He dropped his second round match to top-ranked and undefeated Spencer Moore by fall in 33 seconds. Matt then saw his day come to an end with a loss to McCracken County’s Hunter Hawthorne.
As a team, Hopkinsville is 37th after the first day at the state tourney.
