Union County Wrestling program celebrates 15th state championship

MORGANFIELD, KY. (WFIE) - Union County has been the gold standard for high school wrestling in Kentucky, for nearly two decades now. The Braves’ wrestling program has dominated, at the highest level, and this past weekend, they added another trophy, to their already, very-full case.

Union County won its 15th state wrestling championship.

On Sunday, they celebrated that title, with all their fans, with a parade and rally at the high school. Their first state championship, was in 1976, and then they won two more in 1980 and 1982. But in 2007, they really began their dynasty.

From 2014 thru this year, they now have nine state titles, in the last 11 seasons. Also, this weekend, they crowned three individual state champs: twins Jayden and Jordyn Raney, and Lucas Ricketts.

“Ya know, it’s very impressive to keep the dynasty going, let alone win one state championship, but to continue to succeed each and every year, and see these guys succeed, see these girls accomplish their goals, I’m very blessed to be in the position that I am,” said Union County wrestling’s co-head coach, Jarvis Elam. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for 365 days, and it was a lot of motivation for our team to get to where we want to be.”

“Knowing that you work in the mornings, evenings, every single day, weekends, and you get your hand raised after that finals match, it feels so great,” said Union County’s 126-pound state champ, Jayden Raney. “Our community’s the greatest community you could ask for. Everyone’s lined up in the street, cheering us on out of town, coming into town.”

They mentioned the girls team, because Union County also honored its girls wrestling team, who finished 3rd in the state, and the Braves’ Tanya Bacon won the first girls individual state title in school history, at 107 pounds.