Nick Russell is only halfway through his high school wrestling career.
The future looks bright for the Bloomington South sophomore, but he went to state for the first time with the idea of taking care of the here and now and did just that, bringing home a seventh place medal in the 106-pound division.
As a result, Russell is the Herald-Times Boys Wrestler of the Year. He is the first sophomore to win the award and it is the 11th straight year a Panther has been so honored.
Russell went 33-9 this year, bringing his career win total to 54. And of those nine losses, six came to competitors who placed ahead of Russell at state, including two defeats at the hands of the eventual undefeated state champ.
He was able to undo two of those losses — which both came on the same day at the Team State Duals — in the postseason with pins in the regional final and the third place match at semi-state. Each was crucial in his run to a state medal.
“About halfway through the season, you could tell he was starting to get confidence in himself,” South coach Mike Runyon said right after Russell’s run at state ended. “The last two weeks, it showed in the room. He was starting to pick up his practice habits.
“He was realizing, ‘Hey, I can get this done.’ It’s a great thing to see happen.”
2026 All-Area Boys Wrestling Team
106: Nick Russell, South, So. (33-9)
H-T Wrestler of the Year was the area’s only state medalist, taking seventh. First at sectional, won his first regional and placed third at semi-state. Jeffersonville Invitational champ, sixth at Al Smith Classic. 54 career wins. Repeat All-Area.
113: Jaxsen Jean, South, Jr. (33-4)
Won third sectional title and his first regional crown to make semi-state for third time, where he lost 2-1 in Round 2. Jeffersonville Invitational champ, fourth at Al Smith Classic. Has 94 career wins. Three-time all-area.
120: Josiah Stanton, South, Fr. (32-3)
Tremendous debut season ranked as high as sixth, winning sectional and regional titles with three pins and three tech falls before losing to fourth-ranked wrestler in second round of semi-state. Jeffersonville Invitational champ, finished second at Al Smith Classic.
126: John Orman, Edgewood, Sr. (20-3)
Three-time sectional champ, second at regional and made it to second round at semi-state for fourth year. Capital City Classic champ. WIC champ. 101-26 career mark. Four-time All-Area.
132: Mark Hand, South, Jr. (27-8)
Repeat sectional champ, third at regional, lost in first round at semi-state to eventual state champ. Repeat All-Area.
138: Brian Conley, South, Sr. (26-8)
First-time sectional and regional champion, knocked out in second round of regional by sixth-ranked foe. Had 49 wins over past two seasons. Honorable mention All-Area last year.
144: Amrin Pratt, South, Jr. (32-4)
Repeat sectional and regional champion, lost tough 6-4 decision in second round at semi-state. Fourth place at Al Smith Classic. Career record of 88-26. Three-time All-Area.
150: Cayleb Stephens, Edgewood, Sr. (19-11)
First time sectional champion and regional runner-up, lost in first round in first trip to semi-state. Capital City Classic runner-up. WIC runner-up.
157: Wyatt Cooksey, South, Sr. (31-4)
Hammered out six pins while repeating as sectional and regional champ, and had a seventh before dropping an 8-6 decision in the second round at semi-state. Jeffersonville Invitational champ, fourth at Al Smith Classic. Finishes with a career record of 124-33. Four-time All-Area.
165: Collin Willen, Owen Valley, Sr. (27-12)
Third place at sectional, second place at regional, lost in first round at semi-state. Bo Henry runner-up. WIC champ. Honorable mention All-Area last year.
165: Miguel Tedrow, North, Sr. (32-5)
First-time sectional champ, took third at regional and lost in first round at semi-state to foe who placed eighth at state. Jasper Rick & Rohl Invite, Bo Henry and Old Capital Classic champ. Mooresville Holiday Classic runner-up. Honorable mention All-Area last year.
175: Denny Allgood, South, Jr. (23-11)
First-time sectional champ, was a regional runner-up and lost his opener at semi-state. 50 wins past two seasons. Repeat All-Area.
190: Zander Pendley, Owen Valley, Sr. (23-12)
Sectional runner-up, lost opener at regional. WIC runner-up.
215: Mason Grubb, South, Jr. (25-10)
Sectional and regional runner-up, losing opener at semi-state. Jeffersonville Invitational champ, eighth at Al Smith Classic.
285: Lincoln Getts, Edgewood, Jr. (20-7)
Third place at sectional and third at regional, losing opener at semi-state. Capital City Classic champ. WIC champion.
HONORABLE MENTION: Matthew Underhill, Owen Valley, Fr. (22-16 at 106); Austin Boltinghouse, Owen Valley, Jr. (34-7 at 113); Ryan Watkins, North, (26-12 at 113); Isaiah White, Owen Valley, Sr. (27-12 at 120); Isaiah Shirley, North, (25-12 at 120); Jude Pratt, South, Fr. (25-8 at 126); Jack Grubaugh, Edgewood, Fr. (11-13 at 132); Yanni Nunez, North, Sr. (23-14 at 138); Trae Hopkins, North, Jr. (26-6 at 144); Reid Lanman, Owen Valley, So. (30-11 at 144); Gerardo Hernandez-Ibarra, South, Sr. (10-12 at 150); Hunter Sloan, Owen Valley, Sr. (28-12 at 150); Riley Martin, Owen Valley, Jr. (30-9 at 157); Luke Burner, Owen Valley, So. (26-13 at 175); Cam Richardson, Edgewood, Sr. (13-9 at 175); Braddock Nickless, Owen Valley, Jr. (25-14 at 215); William Doty, Owen Valley, Sr. (22-12 at 285).
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: South’s Nick Russell and the All-Area boys wrestling
