2025-26 Boys All-Area Wrestling: Accepting a Leading role; Leader, Smith pin down All-Area honors with Gamble

“We just continued to get a little better every week,” he added. “It looked a little ugly sometimes in December. It took a little time to round up and be at peak performance. I thought we did a great job of peaking at the right time at the end of February.”

After runner-up finishes in the previous two seasons, the growing Golden Eagles placed sixth in the team standings at the state meet, and four wrestlers earned their spot on the medal podium. Matney battled his way to second at 165 pounds. Ryan Smith made consecutive trips to the state championship meet in the 138-pound division.

“They did a good job of buying into what we asked them to do,” Gamble said. “Wrestling is such a tough sport. It says so much about these kids, mentally and physically, that they can take some losses early in the year, get back into practice, and continue to work. It worked out for us at the end of the season.”

Johnson Central claimed repeat honorees. Gamble was named the All-Area Coach of the Year. Smith grabbed Wrestler of the Year honors for the 106 to 150-pound division.

“After the state championship last year, the following Monday, we’re back on the practice mat,” Gamble said. “Ryan’s put himself in a good position to be successful. You could tell that he was determined after being a state runner-up. He deserves all the praise and all the success that come his way. He works very hard.”

Smith showed his determination to get back and reclaim his spot at the state meet and the Region 8 title.

The Golden Eagles have 11 wrestlers on the All-Area team. Isaac Adkins (285 pounds; third place at region), Gabe Blackburn (190 pounds; second place at region), Noah Clouse (113 pounds; third place at region), Landon Howard (132 pounds; Carson Matney (120 pounds; first place at region), Dalton Matney (165 pounds; region and state runner-up), Heath May (106 pounds; second place at region), James Morris (144 pounds; first place at region, third place at state), Dylan Peck (215 pounds; second place at region) and Zac Scott (157 pounds; second place at region, fifth place at state) join Smith on the roster.

“I really just tried to work even harder than I did last year,” Smith said. “I feel like it did pay off in the end.

“It’s really enjoyable seeing my teammates have success. We’ve had a lot of fun over the years. It’s a privilege to wear the jersey. I enjoy the pressure that comes with it. It makes me work harder.”

Boyd County improved 10 spots in the team state standings. The Lions bring seven wrestlers to the All-Area mat.

Region 8 champions, Bentley Brown and Chase Gillum, who combined for 95 wins and also stood on a state podium; Brown was sixth at 132 pounds and Gillum finished third at 150, along with Jace Bowling, Kaiden Nottingham, Cameron Thompson and Cayden Thompson, accompany Leader on the team.

Ashland’s Nathaniel Williams ended his season on a high note. After winning a Region 8 175-pound title and standing in sixth place on the state podium, he can call himself a national champion after taking the title in the Cadet 171-pound weight class at the Ohio Tournament of Champions.

It’s America’s only national modified wrestling championship. Wrestlers from 30 states competed at the event. Williams’s bracket had 18 wrestlers from seven different states.

Ashland had five on the All-Area team with Region 8 285-pound champion Wyatt Riley, Cameron Burnside, Branden Mcgee and Taner Woodman.

Rowan County’s Liam Skinner collected a Region 8 title in the 126-pound division.

Greenup County’s Hunter Crabtree and David Craig, East Carter’s Parker Fouch and West Carter’s Peyton Walker round out the All-Area roster.

Team comprised from postseason placement and season success. The Daily Independent staff selected the Wrestlers and Coach of the Year.