It didn’t take long for Chesterton seniors Lucas Davison and Diego Lemley to move on.
Each wrestler — Lemley at 160 pounds and Davison at 182 — finished as a state runner-up last season, but they didn’t have time to dwell on those final defeats.
“We’ve accepted that loss from last year in the finals,” Lemley said. “We’re at peace with it. But we still have a sour taste in our mouth. It’s not going to happen again.”
With a shared sense of determination, both Lemley and Davison embraced a rigorous offseason schedule and now prepare for their final high school season together at Chesterton.
“They re-evaluated their goals and moved on,” Chesterton coach Chris Joll said of his senior duo. “I don’t think they took any time off at all.”
It’s common for top wrestlers such as Lemley and Davison to wrestle year-round, and the months following last season were no exception. Weekends were for tournaments, while weekdays were for weight training and practice.
Both wrestled in June at the prestigious Junior National Duals held in Tulsa, Okla., although that was Lemley’s final tournament for a while.
“I’ve got a plate and six screws in there,” Lemley said while rolling back a shirt sleeve to show the scar from surgery to repair a broken left collarbone.
Davison advanced to the quarterfinals at the Junior Nationals in Fargo, N.D., in July, crediting his success to a relentless attack.
“Every match I’ve lost has been due to a low attack rate,” he said. “So, a big focus has been on increasing our attack rates, being the guy who’s on the offensive.”
For Lemley, an offseason shortened by injury means that his focus early will be getting back into proper wrestling shape.
“I just want to get stronger,” he said. “I need to put more muscle back on, so I don’t feel as chubby as I do right now.”
Their ultimate goals for the high school season remain obvious. So obvious, that they’re almost sick of the question.
“A lot of people come up and ask me if I’m going to win it all this year,” Davison said.
Lemley interjected with sarcasm: “No, I’m shooting for fourth this year!”
More Top Picks Best Amazon Prime Day Steam Deck Deals 2026
Davison got back to his initial point.
“We have a lot of work to do before we get to that point,” Davison said. “We’re here working our butts off every day to get better so we can get those state titles.”
Each wrestler has represented several different teams and clubs in his career, but both insisted there’s a unique feeling that comes with representing Chesterton.
“Even on those bigger stages, I’m wearing Chesterton gear underneath,” Davison said. “Last year, we had a lot of success and all of those guys who were down at state came through this program. It gives us all a lot of pride.”
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Top 5 teams
1. Portage: Junior Jacob Moran is the top-ranked wrestler at 106 by IndianaMat.com after missing last season when he was ruled ineligible following his transfer from Crown Point. Senior Kasper McIntosh (145) is also ranked No. 1, while classmate Kris Rumph (138) is ranked No.2. Newcomer DJ Washington (152), a junior transfer from Marian Catholic (Ill.), was a state runner-up as a 120-pound freshman.
2. Chesterton: Last season’s state runner-up lost 195-pound state champion Andrew Davison to graduation (Michigan), but the Trojans still have plenty of talent. The headliners are top-ranked seniors Diego Lemley (160) and Lucas Davison (195), who each finished second in the state last season.
3. Crown Point: Coach Brandon Lorek’s roster features 10 wrestlers who were semistate qualifiers last season, including three who reached the state finals. Senior Noah Lamore is ranked No. 2 in the state at 152. Also watch seniors Oszkar Kasch (No. 3 at 160) and Mario Traficanti (No. 6 at 170).
4. Hobart: Gone to Michigan State is 138-pound state champion Brendan Black. Senior Tylor Triana, the top-ranked wrestler at 120, placed third there at state as a junior. Zack Fattore, another senior, is ranked No. 2 at 170 after coming off a fourth-place finish at state. Hobart is the favorite in the Northwest Crossroads Conference.
5. Merrillville: Two state finalists from last season highlight the returning Pirates: seniors Brandon Streck (285) and Tyjonn Lockett (182). Junior Martin Cruz (106), sophomore Jacob Maldonado (126), senior Malik Hoover (145) and senior Aaron Griggs (152) are some of the returning semistate qualifiers.
Top 20 individuals
Lucas Davison, 195, Chesterton, senior; Ian Dembowski, 138, Valparaiso, senior; Jose Diaz, 113, Wheeler, senior; Zack Fattore, 170, Hobart, senior; Bradley Groover, 182, River Forest, senior; Oszkar Kasch, 160, Crown Point, senior; Noah Lamore, 152, Crown Point, senior; Diego Lemley, 160, Chesterton, senior; Anthony Maceo, 195, Portage, senior; Kasper McIntosh, 145, Portage, senior; Jacob Moran, 106, Portage, junior; Brock Peele, 120, Portage, junior; Eli Pokorney, 285, Chesterton, junior; Colin Poynter, 126, Portage, senior; Reese Rodriguez, 132, Morton, junior; Kris Rumph, 138, Portage, senior; Brandon Streck, 285, Merrillville, senior; Jeremy Torres, 182, Portage, senior; Mario Traficanti, 170, Crown Point, senior; DJ Washington, 152, Portage, junior.