DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
FORT WAYNE – An outstanding postseason run for the South Adams Starfires came to an end Saturday, one week shorter than the program hoped for as they failed to qualify a wrestler for the State Finals in Indianapolis next weekend.
After returning to State last year with Colt Bollenbacher, the five semi-state qualifiers for South Adams fell just short of their goals, although many of them overachieved by simply making it to the Semi-State.
On the bright side, the Starfires will return all five wrestlers for next year’s team, putting them in a position to play a big role in the conference and sectional tournaments. After their regional performance, the program was in great position to secure an automatic spot at the 2026 Team State Finals for 1A, the ultimate goal of the team this postseason.
The Stars only win on Saturday came from Dakota Sprunger, their lone regional champion, when he took out Omar Hamad of Carroll, 12-6, in the opening round. the win was important as it gave the team a few more qualification points for Team State.
The next four bouts in the opening round all went the opposite way for the Stars, with all the defeats coming via major decision, tech fall or pin.
That left the season on the line for Dakota Sprunger, but he faced the #1-ranked wrestler in the semi-state, Jordan Korreckt of North Miami. It was a tough draw for Sprunger, who should have had an easier path as a champion of the Jay County regional. Korreckt was simply too good on his feet and Sprunger had no opportunity to get to his offense, falling 10-0 to end the SA season.
The Starfires will set their goals high again next year, especially with the entire team returning next year from this year’s sectional lineup. A few additions in the upper weights could see the Starfires being a contender for the 1A title in 2026.
First Round
126-Dakota Sprunger (SA) d. Omar Hamad (Carroll), 12-6
132-Deacon Rhodes (FW Snider) t.f. Will Patterson (SA), 16-0
144-Corbin Goshert (Wabash) m.d. Wyatt Mann (SA), 25-13
165-Chance McCullough (Elkhart) m.d. Nathan Plattner (SA), 16-2
175-Jordan Simon (North Miami) p. Wes Summersett (SA), 1:19
Quarterfinals
126-Jordan Korreckt (North Miami) m.d. Dakota Sprunger (SA), 10-0
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