EVANSVILLE — Three-time semistate qualifier Evan Bullock of Brown County did not end his wrestling career the way he may have wanted on Saturday.
Bullock had tough draw at 145 pounds and had to compete against eighth-ranked Logan Coyle from Center Grove in the Evansville Semistate. There were five wrestlers ranked in the top 20 of Bullock’s weight class.
Bullock fell 5-3, but Brown County assistant coach Mark Bruner said he fought hard.
“I think he wrestled well the entire time,” Bruner said. “From previous years to this year, I think he’s matured into a good person. It’s unfortunate to see him lose here, but that’s wrestling, I guess.”
Bullock ends his career with no state competition appearances but Bruner is excited about the future of freshman David Tucker, who advanced to semistate at 106. Tucker also had a tough draw, facing off against No. 11 Owen Sego of Indian Creek.
Tucker’s weight class had five ranked wrestlers, as well, all ranked in the top 11. Tucker was pinned early in the first period, but Bruner said having the experience of wrestling at that level was good for him.
Tucker got a front headlock in the first 30 seconds of the match, and Sego was able to pin him down.
Bruner said Tucker is significantly smaller than many of the guys at 106 who competed on Saturday. He will be looking to get stronger next season as he tries to go even further than what he did this year.
“He does a lot of wrestling,” Bruner said. “But he’s getting outsized. Work ethic in practice is something we need to pick up next year.”
