Chronicle-Tribune
BY JUSTIN KENNY

Published: Friday, February 20, 2009 1:09 AM EST
Despite 103 wins between them this season, the trio of Jackson Bratcher, Darryn Scott and Matt Davenport will be entering unknown territory today.

The three Grant County wrestlers each will be competing in their first wrestling state finals meet, beginning at 6 p.m. today and concluding Saturday at Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis.

“This first time going thing is just really crazy,” said Marion’s Scott, who will compete at 189 pounds. “There is a lot of excitement and not a lot of nerves right now.

“Maybe when I’m getting close to wrestling those (nerves) will kick in.”

Scott, a junior, will be joined by Eastbrook sophomore Bratcher and Oak Hill senior Davenport as representatives of Grant County competing in the state finals. Each weight class consists of 16 wrestlers, with a victory today earning advancement into Saturday’s final eight.

Saturday’s action will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the quarterfinals and the semifinals to follow. Consolations will be at 5 p.m., and finals are at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is $8 per session or $20 for both days.

“I’m just treating it like any other meet, I can’t wait to be there,” Bratcher said. “I feel like I am prepared because I have been to a lot of big tournaments. But none as big as this one.”

Bratcher will begin his title quest at 160 against senior Brad Farrell (45-3) of Fishers.

“I don’t know much about him, other than he is tough,” Bratcher said. “But everyone is tough at this stage. You have to be ready.”

Bratcher (32-2) will have the added burden of being one of the few underclassmen at the event. He was the lone sophomore in the top six at 160 a week ago at the Woodlan Semistate, where he placed third.

“Last year the goal was to make it to semistate, and this year I wanted to get to state. It’s all about building up those goals,” Bratcher said. “The goal is to eventually get that state championship.”

Scott (36-6) will face Warren Central junior Michael Johnson-Jones (42-3) in his match at 189 after placing second in Fort Wayne last week.

“What I’m told is that Johnson-Jones is a muscle head like me, so it will probably come down to technique for both of us and who has the most stamina,” Scott said. “I’m hoping it’s a good match.”

Meanwhile, Davenport will have the honor of opening with the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the state according to www.indianamat.com in Portage’s Sean McMurray (45-0).

“Matt knows he has a tough kid, but he is optimistic he can compete,” Oak Hill wrestling coach Andrew King said. “He has worked hard at wrestling for a lot of years, and for him to be able to advance to state finals as a senior is a dream come true.”

Bratcher is Eastbrook’s first state wrestler since Tony Roush in 1991 earned a runner-up finish. Scott is Marion’s first qualifier since Evan Mazellan in 2006.

Davenport represents Oak Hill’s 11th state qualifier and the 10th in King’s 20 years as coach.