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Shaffer's season concludes at semi-state
EVANSVILLE -- South Putnam freshman Kyle Shaffer's trip through the IHSAA State Wrestling tournament finally hit its off-ramp in the first round of the semi-state at Evansville's Ford Center.
Paired off with 182-pound No. 14 Andy Fischer of Southridge High School, Shaffer led 2-0 after one period and was tied 2-2 going into the third before being pinned for the first time in the 2013-14 season.
South Putnam coach Josh Hendrickson said afterward that the event as a whole was an eye-opening experience for the Eagle grappler.
"It's never fun for a kid to lose but you have to look at the bright spot that Kyle is a freshman and he has a lot of room to grow," Hendrickson said. "He has a lot of potential and that's invaluable experience.
"You could tell he was a freshman at his first semi-state. When we entered the Ford Center, his eyes lit up a little bit. That's something he can carry for the next three years and help his teammates with."
Fischer, who sported a 48-3 record entering the day, had lost his last match at the regional against Edgewood's No. 4-ranked Damien Chambers.
The Southridge senior tried to use his considerable height advantage in the early going in attacking Shaffer, but the match was interrupted numerous times early after a cut formed on Fischer's knee.
Shaffer struck late in the first period by getting around Fischer for a takedown and finished the period with a 2-0 lead.
Fischer chose the bottom position and for the first minute-and-a-half before a scramble saw Shaffer reversed, leading to a 2-2 tie heading into the third period.
Hendrickson said things had gone well up until the reversal.
"I thought Kyle wrestled a good first period and wrestled pretty well for most of the second period," Hendrickson said. "We talk about winning the last 15 seconds of a round and that reversal hurt him mentally as much as it did on the scoreboard."
In the third, Shaffer also chose to take the bottom position but missed a pair of chances to escape. Fischer flattened out Shaffer and secured a cradle, turning the Eagle freshman over and finishing the match at the 4:53 mark.
It was that move in particular that had Hendrickson and the squad concerned.
"We knew coming in that Fischer was good on top and that he was long," Hendrickson said. "He would look to run a cross-face cradle action and that's what happened. Kyle stopped moving and got caught in it."
Fischer went on to finish fourth on the day and qualify for the state tournament.
Shaffer finishes the season with an impressive 29-5 record and the distinction of being the only freshman in the state to qualify for semi-state in the 182-pound class.
With five seniors departing from the Eagle wrestling squad after this year, Shaffer's role as leader will be amplified in the coming season.
Hendrickson believes the semi-state appearance will be a major benefit in helping to guide the rest of the team.
"Hopefully, Kyle comes in next year with a bit of a chip on his shoulder," Hendrickson said. "He knows now what it takes to get to that level and what he needs to do to get farther next year.
"Kyle knows the work that needs to be put in and that he'll lead by example next year. It'll take hard work in practice, drilling hard and pushing everyone else make himself and the team better."
At Ford Center, Evansville
IHSAA Wrestling Semi-State
182 -- Andy Fischer (Southridge) fall Kyle Shaffer (South Putnam) 4:53
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