Monticello — Wayne County High School Senior Tyler Pace has added his name to the

record books having recently become the state wrestling champion in the 285

pound weight class, making him the ninth state champion in the local

school's history.

Tyler managed to place first out of a 32-man bracket during the state

tournament on February 18-20 at the Frankfort Civic Center. He helped his

team finish seventh in the state overall and third in the small school

division. Louisville Trinity placed first in the state, followed by Ryle,

Union County, and Johnson Central.

Pace finished the current wrestling season with an impressive 34 wins

and 0 losses, after a six year wrestling career at Wayne County Schools, as

well as three years of varsity football for the Cardinals. He managed to win

all five matches during the weekend event. His toughest match was in the

quarterfinals on the second day beating Glenn Frost from John Hardin High

School 5 to 3.

"He's very athletic," said Wayne County Wrestling Coach Danny Upchurch,

who was particularly tickled for his star wrestler. "There won't be another

one like him."

"If it weren't for ŒBig Dan Upchurch' I wouldn't be the person I am

today," said Pace, praising his coach for all of the years of instruction

and guidance. "And Assistant Coach Kevin Sullivan has been with me every

step of the way."

"We have really excellent coaches at Wayne County," explained Pace. "We

have a very reputable program. You are not going to find many people who

don't know who Danny Upchurch is in the school wrestling world."

"I've learned life lessons from my coaches. Being around them has shaped

the person I am," said Pace.

Pace has a long history of wrestling accomplishments‹having been named a

two time All-American, a national runner-up, and nationally ranked in the

top 20 by Wrestling USA magazine. He's been consistently ranked in the top

10 by the Kentucky High School Wrestling Report too.

He is already being considered as a future collegiate wrestler by

college coaches and as soon as the college season ends in the next few

weeks, it is likely Pace will be considered for some excellent scholarship

opportunities.

As a matter of fact, he has already been offered a scholarship to the

University of the Cumberlands.

"He's a good kid," said Upchurch. "He is strong academically and he'll

do well. We've got a good academic minded team."

Having gone from the 215 pound weight class to the 285 pound class, Pace

said he used to be fearful of his competition. Now that he has bulked up and

faced his peers with an unbeaten season the fear has disappeared. "Nobody

can be my equal."

Pace has spent long hours getting his body into shape for his wrestling

career. "My arms are bigger than my legs," he said.

"I had to stay in shape shape" in order to succeed in the heavy weight

category. I had to make sacrifices, but it was worth it."

"I discovered I had a knack for it" at the beginning of middle school,

explained Pace. "Wrestling is really demanding physically, but I have an

instinct for it."

Pace is not only strong physically, but he has quite a personality.

"I've got a colorful personality," he laughed. He was recently voted by his

classmates as a new honor at school, the Winter Royalty King.

"I hammed it up for that I guess. The other candidates wore suits and

ties and I wore my old leather jacket, jeans and a t-shirt. My escort, Sam

Sexton made me zip up my jacket so I didn't look so wretched," grinned Pace.

Pace has an ability to mix and mingle in all sorts of groups at school.

"I try to treat everybody well," he said. "I guess some of my classmates

look a little rough on the surface, but they are good people."

"It is really cool that he is state champion," noted classmate and

fellow weight lifting partner Jacob DeRossett.

"I wish I'd been there to see it," said Senior Sean Decker.

Pace also enjoys several of his classes at the high school. "I'm a big

fan of Mr. Wither's video production class where he is currently starring in

a Science Fiction flick, mimicking a William Shatner role.

"I like the lunch ladies tooŠAnd Ms. Hart had some pretty interesting

things she taught me in History 109 class. Of course I took four PE classes

so I could hang out with the coach," said Pace.

While he is popular amongst his classmates, he is especially close to

his teammates. "Everybody on the team are like brothers to me. I'm going to

miss them really bad. I love every one of them and would do anything for

them," stressed Pace.

Pace is the son of Bronda Pace and Tommy Pace, who is deceased. He lives

with his mom and stepdad Tim Bertram, along with his brother Travis Pace,

who is a junior. He attributed his church, Cabell Grove Methodist, for

supporting him and teaching him to have a descent work ethic and drive to

succeed.