Norwell senior Eli Johnson and Bluffton freshman Levi Johns advanced in the IHSAA wrestling state finals with wins in their opening matches on Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Johnson (39-1) defeated Mishawaka’s Isaac Valdez (37-7) by an 8-1 decision in the 170-pound weight class. Johnson has claimed both sectional and regional championships this season and finished third at last week’s semi-state tournament.
Johns (40-1) kept his first-year campaign going in the 106-pound class with an 8-6 win by decision over Portage’s E’Shawn Tolbert (24-6). Johns has also won sectional and regional championships and placed third at semi-state.
Johns’ teammate Landon Bertsch (33-3) also made the trip down to state for the fourth time in his career, but was not able to advance past the first round. The Bluffton senior lost to Mishawaka’s Eleazar Walker (39-4) by a close 2-1 decision.
Like the other two competitors from Wells County, Bertsch had won sectional and regional championships and placed third in his class at semi-state.
Johnson and Johns will wrestle with the other seven remaining in their weight class on Saturday to determine first through eighth place.
