by Patrick Conner
The Paducah Sun
February 11, 2025
Used with permission
Over the weekend, Paducah Tilghman wrestling hosted their annual Steven Johnston Memorial Invitational, putting forwards a dominant team effort to take the top spot.
“We spend a lot of our season going out of state, trying to go push ourselves and be ready for the postseason. Coming back for our own tournament, it’s good for our community to be able to see the product we’re putting out there, and the success we’re having against teams locally,” Paducah Tilghman head coach Seth Livingston said. “While we expect the success now, I tell the kids all the time that it’s never going to get easier. The better we get, the more success we have, and with that the expectations keep going up.”
The annual tournament serves as the Tornado’s flagship home event, and honors the legacy of the program’s founder and long-time coach, Steve Johnston.
“We’re grateful for the legacy that Steve Johnston has in this program and community, starting wrestling here in 1971 and coaching through the 80’s,” Livingston said. “He’s given us a great opportunity to build on what he started.”
By the end of the meet on Saturday, the Tornado amassed 366.5 points as a team; 167 more than second place Fort Campbell, who finished with 199.5.
Individually, 10 wrestlers took first place in their weight class for Tilghman; Josh Waufle (106), Case Simmons (113), Jeremiah Pulliam (120), Jayden Morris (157), Jaylin Bellamy (138), Evan Pyles (144), Ben Hall (175), DJ Wilson (190), Jack James (215), Prosper Livingston-Holmes (285).
“I was more aggressive on Saturday, I didn’t stay in one position for too long, and just kept attacking. I’ve made a pretty big jump this season,” Jeremiah Pulliam said who picked up a win via fall in each of his five matches on Saturday. “Getting these wins definitely helps a lot in these last few weeks of the season.”
“I’ve been getting a lot more confident in my shots, and my defense, it’s been hard to take me down,” Jayden Morris said who went 4-0 over the weekend. “I was moving well, getting on the attack and getting my offense going.”
Out of the field of 18, other programs from the area competing at the event included Calloway County (11th place, 65 points), Hopkinsville (10th place, 74 points), Trigg County (T-14th place, 30 points), and Fulton City (T-17th, 3 points.)
As the season continues down the stretch, Livingston and the Tornado are getting themselves set for the postseason, which begins with the First Region tournament on February 22.
“A big thing for us this late in the season, especially having a lot of football players in our lineup that come out of that season banged up, is getting kids as healthy and prepared as we can heading into the postseason. It’s a lot about recovery right now,” Livingston concluded. “You don’t win big matches just in the match itself, you win through your preparation. We go into them prepared and excited for the opportunity, and take advantage of that.”