Shaffer into top eight at state finals, will return Saturday

Saturday, February 21, 2015
South Putnam sophomore Kyle Shaffer will be one of eight wrestlers vying for the IHSAA 182-pound state title Saturday at Banker's Life Fiildhouse.

INDIANAPOLIS -- The dream lives on For South Putnam sophomore Kyle Shaffer, who won his opening match at the IHSAA State Wrestling Finals on Friday.

The win puts Shaffer (40-1) into among the top eight wrestlers in the state at 182 pounds and means he will return for Saturday's quarterfinals.

Shaffer defeated Yorktown senior Hunter Hiestand (46-6) by a 10-4 decision.

Up next for Shaffer is likely his toughest challenge of the season in Lawrenceburg freshman Mason Parris (52-0), who defeated Lake Central's Jake Kleimola (34-7) by a major decision, 18-5, on Friday.

Parris is one of three undefeated wrestlers in the 182-pound bracket, joining Western senior Corey Hinkle (45-0) and Penn senior Chase Osborn (36-0).

Elsewhere in the bracket, Avon senior Evan Elmore (29-4) defeated Jay County's Andy Kohler (36-7) by fall.

Elmore has been Shaffer's nemesis this season, with the Eagle sophomore holding a 3-1 advantage. Shaffer defeated Elmore in the regular season and in the sectional and regional title matches. However, last week Elmore got the better of Shaffer with a 4-2 ultimate tie breaker win for the semi-state title.

Elmore held a 3-0 advantage over Shaffer last season.

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