Indiana University Wrestling Finishes in Fifth Place at the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships Indiana Wrestling wrapped up competition at the 61st annual Ken Kraft Midlands Championships on Tuesday. The Hoosiers finished in sixth place with 70.5 points. Indiana had five individual’s place. Bryce Lowery (157) led the Hoosiers by taking second place. Gabe Sollars took third place in the 197 Bracket. Derek Gilcher (174) secured fourth place, Henry Porter (141) earned sixth place and Roman Rogotzke (184) placed seventh.
No. 8 Bryce Lowery competed strongly throughout Midlands, coming up just short in the final match. Lowery was defeated by Dylan Evans (Pittsburgh) by decision, 4-2. No. 1 Gabe Sollars defeated Brockton Borelli (Stanford) in the 3rd Place Match by major decision, 9-1. No. 4 Derek Gilcher fell to Sergio Desiante (Virginia Tech) by decision, 5-4, in the Third Place Match. No. 2 Henry Porter was defeated by Billy Dekraker (NU) due to injury in the Fifth Place Match. No. 4 Roman Rogotzke took the win in the Seventh Place Match by injury. Lowery’s second place finish is his best finish of the season. Sollars was on the podium at Midlands for the second time in his career. Indiana had five individuals place on the podium in back-to-back years at Midlands (6 athletes last year).
Ken Kraft Midlands Championships Results Ayden Bollinger -125 lbs.- R32: Ayden Bollinger (IU) advanced on bye. R16: Blake West (NIU) def. Ayden Bollinger (IU): Dec. 9-3. Cons. R2: Ayden Bollinger (IU) def. Drew Hansen (MSU): Dec. 10-6. Cons. R3: Drew Davis (SIUE) def. Ayden Bollinger (IU): MD, 11-1
Jackson Blum-133 lbs.-R32: Matty Lopes (Unattached) def. Jackson Blum (IU): Dec. 10-5. Cons. R1: Jackson Blum (IU) advanced on bye. Cons. R2: Andrew Austin (Central Michigan) def. Jackson Blum (IU): Dec. 9-4
Logan Frazier-133 lbs.- R32: Logan Frazier (IU) advanced on bye. R16: Dylan Shawver (Rutgers) def. Logan Frazier (IU): Dec. 8-3. Cons. R2: Teddy Flores (Michigan) def. Logan Frazier (IU): Dec. 13-6
Blaine Frazier -133 lbs.- R32: Sean Spidle (NU) def. Blaine Frazier (IU): Dec. 8-3. Cons. R1: Blaine Frazier advanced on bye. Cons. R2: Porter Matecki (SIUE) def. Blaine Frazier (IU): 8-2
Lucas Peters -141 lbs.- R32: Sidney Tildsley (Harvard) def. Lucas Peters (IU): Fall (4:06). Cons. R1: Lucas Peters (IU) advanced on bye. Cons. R2: Lucas Peters (IU) def. Danny Martinez (SIUE): Inj. Cons. R3: Brogan Fielding (Unattached OSU) def. Lucas Peters (IU): Dec. 12-9
Henry Porter- 141 lbs.-R32: Henry Porter (IU) advanced on bye. R16: Henry Porter (IU) def. Dj Gillett (Oregon State): Dec. 7-2. Quarterfinal: Henry Porter (IU) def. Aiden Simmons (Cal Poly): Fall (6:54). Semifinal: Elijah Cortez (Spartan Combat RTC) def. Henry Porter (IU): Inj. Cons. Semi: Drew Gorman (Virginia Tech) def. Henry Porter (IU): Inj. 5th: Billy Dekraker (NU) def. Henry Porter (IU): Inj. Henry Porter took 6th place in the 141 Bracket
Joey Buttler-149 lbs.-R32: Joey Buttler (IU) def. Charlie Fifield (Illinois): Fall (1:47). R16: Joey Buttler (IU) def. Colin Kacena (Central Michigan): Dec. 5-4 Quarterfinal: Sergio Lemley (Michigan) def. Joey Buttler (IU): Dec. 5-1. Cons. R4: Andre Gonzales (Cal Poly) def. Joey Buttler (IU): Dec. 11-5
Hunter Sturgill-149 lbs.-R32: Ben Lunn (SIUE) def. Hunter Sturgill (IU): MD, 12-0. Cons. R1: Antonio Alvarado (Illinois) def. Hunter Sturgill (IU): Dec. 5-1.
Aidan Torres-149 lbs.- R32: Jackson Young (Maryland) def. Aidan Torres (IU): Dec. 7-3. Cons. R1: Aidan Torres (IU) def. Danny Nini (Illinois): Inj. Cons. R2: Aidan Torres (IU) def. Ben Lunn (SIUE): Dec. 8-6. Cons. R3: Sam Cartella (NU) def. Aidan Torres (IU): TF, 17-0
Bryce Lowery-157 lbs.- R32: Bryce Lowery (IU) advanced on bye. R16: Bryce Lowery (IU) def. Keller Rock (Oregon State): MD, 11-2. Quarterfinal: Bryce Lowery (IU) def. Anthony Berg (Cal Poly): MD, 15-2. Semifinal: Bryce Lowery (IU) def. Kal Miller (Maryland): Dec. 5-1. Final: Dylan Evans (Pittsburgh) def. Bryce Lowery (IU): Dec. 4-2. Bryce Lowery took 2nd place in the 157 Bracket.
Ryan Garvick-157 lbs.- R32: Ryan Garvick (IU) advanced on bye. R16: Conner Harer (Rutgers) def. Ryan Garvick (IU): Dec. 8-1. Cons. R2: Ryan Garvick (IU) def. Wyatt Hepner (Harvard): Dec. 6-0. Cons. R3: Ryan Bennett (Illinois) def. Ryan Garvick (IU): Dec. 4-1
Chris Crawford-165 lbs.- R32: Chris Crawford (IU) def. Logan Swaw (Illinois): Dec. 12-5. R16: Jacob Bostelman (NU) def. Chris Crawford (IU): Dec. 5-2. Cons. R2: Chris Crawford def. Ej Parco (Stanford): Dec. 8-5. Cons. R3: Chris Crawford (IU) def. Justin Gates (Michigan): Dec. 7-1. Cons. R4: Jared Keslar (Pittsburgh) def. Chris Crawford (IU): Dec. 4-2
Chase Leech-165 lbs.- R32: e’Than Birden (Ohio State) def. Chase Leech (IU): TF, 20-2. Cons. R1: Chase Leech advanced on bye. Cons. R2: Josh Knudten (Michigan) def. Chase Leech (IU): Fall (1:45)
Orlando Cruz-174 lbs.-R32: Orlando Cruz (IU) def. Ben Smith (Harvard): Dec. 6-3. R16: Myles Takats (Bucknell) def. Orlando Cruz (IU): TF, 17-2. Cons. R2: Orlando Cruz (IU) def. Nick Marienfeld (Central Michigan): Dec. 4-1. Cons. R3: Bode Marlow (Pittsburgh) def. Orlando Cruz (IU): MD, 13-3
Derek Gilcher-174 lbs.- R32: Derek Gilcher (IU) def. Andre Rocker (NU): TF, 16-1. R16: Derek Gilcher (IU) def. Caleb Neal (SIUE): Dec. 7-2. Quarterfinal: Derek Gilcher (IU) def. Richie Grungo (Lehigh): MD, 14-2. Semifinal: Daschle Lamer (Oregon State) def. Derek Gilcher (IU): Dec. 11-4. Cons. Semi: Derek Gilcher (IU) def. Eddie Enright (NU): MD, 14-5. 3rd: Sergio Desiante (Virginia Tech) def. Derek Gilcher (IU): Dec. 5-4. Derek Gilcher took 4th place in the 174 Bracket
Magnus Kuokkanen-174 lbs.-R32: Magnus Kuokkanen advanced on bye. R16: Jordan Chapman (Rutgers) def. Magnus Kuokkanen (IU): Fall, (2:59). Cons. R2: Magnus Kuokkanen (IU) def. Graham Gambrall (Oregon State): MD, 11-3. Cons. R3: Cash Stewart (Cal Poly) def. Magnus Kuokkanen (IU): Dec. 4-1.
Roman Rogotzke-184 lbs.-R32: Chase Kranitz (Pittsburgh) def. Roman Rogotzke (IU): TF, 18-2. Cons. R1: Roman Rogotzke (IU) def. Joey Braunagel (Illinois): Fall (1:29). Cons. R2: Roman Rogotzke (IU) def. Adrien Cramer (Central Michigan): Dec. 2-1. Cons. R3: Roman Rogotzke (IU) def. Mikey Bartush (Bucknell): Dec. 8-2. Cons. R4: Roman Rogotzke (IU) def. Cody Brenner (Central Michigan): Dec. 5-1. Cons. R5: Abraham Wojicikiewicz (Stanford) def. Roman Rogotzke (IU): Dec. 8-7. 7th: Roman Rogotzke (IU) def. Robert Kucharczk (Harvard): Inj. Roman Rogotzke took 7th in the 184 Bracket.
Gabe Sollars-197 lbs.-R32: Gabe Sollars (IU) advanced on bye. R16: Gabe Sollars (IU) def. Cole Jackson (Cal Poly): TF (3:57). Quarterfinal: Gabe Sollars (IU) def. Brockton Borelli (Stanford): MD, 14-2. Semifinal: Seth Shumate (Ohio State) def. Gabe Sollars (IU): Dec. 13-3. Cons. Semi: Gabe Sollars (IU) def. Luke Cochran: Dec. 4-0. 3rd: Gabe Sollars (IU) def. Brockton Borelli (Stanford): MD, 9-1. Gabe Sollars took 3rd place in the 197 Bracket.
Matt Kowalski-197 lbs.-R32: Matt Kowalski (IU) advanced on bye. R16: Remy Cotton (Rutgers) def. Matt Kowalski (IU): MD, 15-2. Cons. R2: Matt Kowalski (IU) def. Dylan Greenstein (Harvard): MD, 11-0. Cons. R3: Luke Duthie (Stanford) def. Matt Kowalski (IU): MD, 14-6.
Caleb Marzolino-285 lbs.- R32: Parker Ferrell (Virginia Tech) def. Caleb Marzolino (IU): MD, 10-2. Cons. R1: Caleb Marzolino advanced on bye. Cons. R2: Simon Lato (Central Michigan) def. Caleb Marzolino (IU): Dec. 7-1
TEAM SCORES- 1. Pittsburgh (92.5 points). 2. Rutgers (88 points). 3. Virginia Tech (83.5 points). 4. Cal Poly (82 points). 5. Indiana (72.5 points). Indiana’s next appearance will be the resumption of Big Ten duals as the Hoosiers are set to travel to Ohio State on Jan. 11.
Indianapolis Colts Announce Riley Leonard will start at Quarterback against the Houston Texans The Indianapolis Colts are expected to start rookie quarterback Riley Leonard on Sunday against the Houston Texans, according to ESPN Senior NFL Reporter Jeremy Fowler. Philip Rivers started the last three games for the Colts, who have lost six in a row and will miss the playoffs after starting the season with a record of 8-2. Leonard has appeared in four games for Indianapolis this season and is 18-for-33 passing for 145 yards with two interceptions. He played three seasons at Duke and a fourth at Notre Dame and was selected by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL draft. The Colts head to Houston on the heels of Sunday’s 23-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kickoff for Sunday’s game is set for 1 p.m.
Former Indianapolis Colts Reggie Wayne and Adam Vinateri Among Finalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class Two Indianapolis Colts icons and one of Purdue University’s most celebrated quarterbacks are among the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Tuesday that it has trimmed its list of Modern Era candidates to 15 finalists, including two former Colts players: wide receiver Reggie Wayne and kicker Adam Vinatieri. Another former Colts player, running back Frank Gore, made the final cut, as did Purdue legend and Super Bowl XLIV MVP Drew Brees. Colts quarterback Philip Rivers and retired defensive end Robert Mathis, who spent his entire 14-year career with Indianapolis, were named semifinalists but did not advance. The list of finalists also includes Willie Anderson, Larry Fitzgerald, Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Jason Witten, and Marshal Yanda.
Wayne has been a semifinalist for all seven of his years of eligibility and has been a finalist in each of the last six years. Wayne, who played 14 seasons with the Colts, is one of nine players in NFL history with at least 1,000 receptions, 14,000 yards, and 80 touchdowns. He is still with the Colts as their wide receiver’s coach. Vinatieri, in his second year of eligibility, was also a finalist for the Class of 2025. Vinatieri, a three-time Super Bowl winner with the Patriots, won Super Bowl XLI with the Colts and played 14 seasons in Indianapolis. He played 24 seasons in the NFL and remains the league’s all-time leader in points scored (2,673), field goals (599), and field goal attempts (715). The 15 finalists will be considered by the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee, and between three and five modern era finalists will be chosen for induction. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be unveiled on Feb. 5 during Super Bowl XL weekend in San Francisco.
The Indiana Pacers Drop their Ninth Straight Game Kevin Durant scored 30 points to lead the Houston Rockets to a 126-119 win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night. It’s the second straight 30-point game for Durant and his 10th this season, his first in Houston since a blockbuster summer trade from Phoenix. Jabari Smith Jr. had 21 points with 10 rebounds and Amen Thompson added 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Rockets, who have won three in a row after dropping four of their previous five games during a tough road trip. It’s the ninth consecutive loss for the Pacers, who have the NBA’s worst record at 6-27 with Tyrese Haliburton out all season with an Achilles injury.
The Rockets led by 27 to start the fourth and were up by 16 when coach Ime Udoka cleared the bench with 2 1/2 minutes to go. Pascal Siakam had 23 points to lead the Pacers and Aaron Nesmith added 14 with four 3-pointers. The Rockets led by 16 at halftime and used a 12-3 spurt after the break to push the lead to 78-51 with about 10 minutes left in the third quarter. Smith had two 3-pointers in that stretch and Durant added four points. Houston remained up by 27 midway through the third before the Pacers went on a 14-2 run to get within 89-74 with about four minutes remaining in the quarter. Siakam scored six points in that time and Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard capped the run with 3s. The Rockets rediscovered their offense after that, using a 16-4 run, with 3-pointers from Reed Sheppard and Dorian Finney-Smith, to take a 105-78 lead into the fourth quarter. Houston’s Steven Adams had eight points and five rebounds in his second straight start for All-Star Alperen Sengun, who is out with calf tightness. Adams left in the third quarter with a sprained right ankle and didn’t return. The Indiana Pacers host the Orlando Magic this afternoon at 3 PM.
Kaycie Warfel Scores 31 as RV Taylor Women’s Basketball Rallies Past No. 22 Indiana Tech Kaycie Warfel scored 31 points to lead RV Taylor (14-0) past No. 22 Indiana Tech (9-4) in a tightly contested matchup on Tuesday evening inside Odle Arena. With the victory, TU maintained its perfect start and logged its second ranked win of the season to close out the non-conference portion of the schedule. The Trojans have now tied the third-longest winning streak in program history at 14 games, while the 14-0 record continues as the second-best start in team history. Warfel eclipsed the 30-point mark for the fifth time, finishing with an 11-of-20 (55.0%) shooting mark overall while hitting 8 of 9 attempts at the free-throw line. The freshman guard overcame early foul trouble and poured in nine points during TU’s late push in the fourth quarter.
Madi Allen reached double figures for the 10th time with 11 points. Quinn Kelly notched six points with seven rebounds, while Celina Blount hauled 11 boards with five points and four blocks. Emma Fohl dished a team-high four assists. Emma Ancelet and Marissa Trout provided key minutes off the bench. Ancelet tallied five points and three assists, while Trout posted six points. For the second time in three games, Taylor rallied to overcome an early double-digit deficit after trailing by as much as 11 in the second quarter.
The Trojans started the game with a quick 10-0 run, with six points from Warfel, before Indiana Tech responded to take control of the contest. The Warriors outscored the Trojans 19-2 over the final six minutes of the opening period while shooting 57.1 percent (8-14) to grab the 19-12 lead. Taylor was able to slice the deficit to six just before halftime, 34-28, after a late three from Trout helped spark the home side going into the break. But the Warriors remained out in front and led by as much as 10 with the score 43-33 midway through the third quarter. The Trojans, who outscored the Warriors in each of the final three periods, wouldn’t go away. TU trailed by four entering the fourth quarter while down 49-45, after Kelly knocked down a big trey to keep within striking distance.
In the fourth quarter, the Trojans opened the frame with a crucial 7-0 run that lasted over a three-minute span, as a 3-pointer from Blount gave Taylor its first lead since the two-minute mark of the opening stanza. TU moved in front 52-49 on a Warfel jumper shortly after, as the teams exchanged leads several times down the stretch. After trailing 60-59, the Trojans stepped up on defense and held the Warriors without a made shot attempt over the final four minutes and 30 seconds of regulation. The only two points for Indiana Tech during the span came on free throws. Then, Trout’s free throw at the 3:40 mark gave Taylor the 61-60 lead, while Warfel closed out the victory with the final five points of the night.
TU shot 45.3 percent overall from the floor, while going 6 of 16 (37.5%) from beyond the arc. Indiana Tech shot 35.4 percent overall and 6 for 25 (24.0%) from three-point range. Taylor Covington led the Warriors with 25 points, four assists and four boards. Jaidyn Gulley posted a double-double effort with 11 points and 12 rebounds. TU has now held its opponent under 70 points in eight consecutive outings, and nine of the previous 10 contests. The Trojans snapped a four-game slide against Indiana Tech with its first win in the series since November 2012. RV Taylor returns to Crossroads League action Saturday when No. 5 Marian (13-0, 4-0 CL) visits Odle Arena for a 1 p.m. tipoff.
RV Taylor Men’s Basketball Pulls Away Late for 89-66 Victory Over Olivet Nazarene A late 12-0 run sealed a convincing win for RV Taylor to conclude the non-league portion of the schedule on Monday afternoon. An 89-66 victory over Olivet Nazarene was fueled by a balanced offensive attack and forcing a bevy of turnovers. Nate Paarlberg connected on five threes and scored a game-high 21 points after settling in during the second half. Paarlberg hit four of his triples after halftime while adding seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block without a turnover in an all-around terrific display for the senior forward. The Trojans raced out to 9-0 lead early going, as they hit four consecutive shots after missing the first three of the game. Taylor’s defense forced four turnovers before the Tigers scored en route to 15 first half takeaways.
Olivet Nazarene (9-4, 5-0 CCAC) knotted the game at 11 but Taylor’s offense responded and slowly bult a 34-18 lead after Anthony McGhee hit a three off a pass by Paarlberg. The road squad went on a run, holding Taylor without a point for almost five minutes and getting within six before a three by Izaiah Day had TU up 39-30 heading into the locker room. Taylor (11-3, 3-1 CL) was dormant after the break, letting a nine-point halftime lead drop to a pair in the first two-and-a-half minutes of action.
McGhee kickstarted the Trojan offense, which came to life and proceeded to shoot over 50 percent from downtown in the second half, hitting 10-19, as five different players knocked down at least one. Freshman guard TJ Davidson stepped up in a big way, playing his most minutes (16) and scoring a season-high 11 points, all of which came in the second half. The Noblesville, Indiana native hit a three after a crossover that left his defender on the floor to push the lead to 57-46 and added an add-one shortly after. The lead stayed between eight and twelve for the majority of the second until a 12-0 run began with a pair of threes by Paarlberg and was capped by Davidson draining a shot from downtown for a 78-58 lead.
The Trojans forced 21 turnovers and held a 26-9 advantage in points off turnovers. The home squad also dominated the glass, grabbing 40 rebounds and scoring 25 second chance points, while holding the Tigers to just five. On the offensive end, McGhee and Day matched Davidson with 11 points and Carson Gould led the team with six helpers. As a team Taylor assisted on 23 of 33 field goals and shot 44.7 percent from three-point land as an explosive offense continues to improve. Taylor jumps back into Crossroads League action on Saturday, January 3rd, with a home matchup against Marian (4-10, 2-2 CL) tipping at 3:00 pm.