LEXINGTON — Morgan Sallee has been wrestling in the state tournament since eighth grade.

The Danville sophomore made it a step further this year, placing eighth in the 113-pound weight class at the state wrestling tournament on Saturday at Alltech Arena.

Sallee and Pierce Haines were the only two Admirals to wrestle in the state tournament, and both made the second day. Haines lost in the third round of the consolation bracket.

Sallee won his first match of the day 9-5 against St. Xavier’s Connor Helgedson, securing himself a spot in the top eight.

“He wrestles up in South Oldham, sees a lot of kids from St. X there, he’s friends with a lot of them. It was a big win for a little school over a big school, it was a big deal for him,” Danville head coach Joey Sallee said. “He’s been wrestling in this tournament since the eighth grade. We’ve been trying to get to this point for quite awhile, finally got there today. We’re just happy.”

Morgan’s next match was against Dalton Lawson from Johnson Central, and he lost 8-0. He injured his ribs during the match but wanted to continue.

He continued, and in the seventh-place match faced off against Trevor Vilums from Male. Morgan beat Vilums in the second round of the winner’s bracket 7-5, but with a lingering rib injury, lost 5-3 to place eighth.

Overall, it was a successful tournament, coach Sallee said.

“(Morgan) came out in his first round match and didn’t waste much time, got it over with,” coach Sallee said. “Second match was an overtime match with the same kid (from Male). They’re different body types but they’re pretty equal as far as technique goes. They were both just really good matches. He got beat last night in a match that we thought we could pick up.

“I think in the past, he would’ve held on to that and it probably would’ve ended for him early today. But he’s grown up some. He took it, set it aside, told me last night before he went to bed, ‘I’ve got one match. One and I’m in the medal round.’ It turned out good for him today, I’m proud of him.”