[Stardust]

LEXINGTON, Ky. — LEXINGTON — Union County had three individual state champions crowned in the KHSAA state wrestling championships but came up just short in its bid to repeat as the team titlist.

The Braves, who had seven wrestlers place in Saturday's event in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, took the state runner-up trophy for the third time in school history and the second time in the four years. They finished with 176 points, just behind the 196 points by Campbell County, which won its fourth state championship. Campbell County had four individual state champions.

Individually for Union County, sophomore Brock Ervin won his third state title edging Ryle's T.J. Ruschell 5-4 in the championship match at 126 pounds.

Junior Jayce Carr claimed his second state championship at 132 pounds. He beat Justin Lampe of St. Xavier 6-4 in the finals.

Sophomore Trae Blackwell won the title at 113 pounds. He beat First Region foe J.J. Killebrew of Christian Couty 11-8 in the title match.

Union County had two third-place finishers. Sophomore 106-pounder Robb Dezember won four straight matches on Saturday after falling in the quarterfinals Saturday morning to eventual runner-up Luke Rearic of Lexington Lafayette, 14-4. Dezember beat Simon Kenton's Elijah Owens 4-2 in the third place match.

Senior 220-pounder Reshawd Wilkins avenged a second-round loss to Charlie Cornett of Dixie Heights with a 10-6 decision in the consolation semifinals. Cornett had claimed a win by fall in Friday's action. Wilkins came back to win all five of his matches on Saturday.

Senior Jake Risinger finished seventh at 152 pounds and junior Jeff Wurth was eighth at 120 pounds.