Peyton Pruett wants to improve from, not be defined by, the controversial conclusion to last year’s Johnson County wrestling tournament.
Undefeated in 10 matches this season, Center Grove’s 160-pounder looks forward to Saturday’s county meet at Indian Creek. Pruett was in the 145-pound title match last December when he was disqualified for what officials said was a punch to his opponent’s head — a call that also cost the Trojans the team championship.
The disqualification occurred almost immediately after Pruett’s opponent was penalized a point for unnecessary roughness for head-butting Pruett.
Pruett, who was leading the match, 14-0, said he’s used the experience to get better.
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“I just think about it to prepare for mentally not doing something stupid. It definitely changed my mental approach during matches,” the senior said. “I’ve got to keep a cooler head on calls.”
Pruett is ranked ninth in the state at 160, making him the favorite to pick up his first county championship.
“I like this (weight) class. I feel it’s a little bit slower, and that’s the pace I work at,” Pruett said. “I feel like I’m not really that fast of a person on my feet, but I definitely feel I have improved on my speed this season.
“Winning county is kind of an expected thing for me, but I’m more focused on the postseason. But, yes, this is definitely a milestone I would like to get.”
First-year Center Grove coach Maurice Swain wasn’t at county last season, but he has discussed it with Pruett.
“We’ve talked about it. About how you have to make good decisions,” Swain said. “On the mat, you’re going to have situations where you may wrestle a guy and you don’t like the guy or like the way he’s wrestling you. You have to be able to control your emotions, finish the match, shake the guy’s hand and get off the mat.
“Peyton is doing really well, especially beating the guy who is ranked No. 5 in the state (Brownsburg’s Peyton Asbury). He practices hard every day and does everything we ask him to do.”
Other county wrestlers ranked in the state in their weight division include three of Pruett’s teammates — freshman Hayden Watson (fifth at 106), junior Brayden Littell (first at 120) and freshman Drake Buchanan (11th at 138) — as well as Franklin sophomore Tyler Fuqua (16th at 138), Indian Creek junior Owen Sego (15th at 145) and Greenwood senior Nick Willham (eighth at 195).
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Johnson County championships
When: Saturday, 9 a.m.
Where: Indian Creek High School
Admission: $5
Defending champion: Franklin
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