LAFAYETTE — A wrestling journey that began in seventh grade continued with a celebration at the Portillo home.
After making history at the IHSAA Semistate, Lafayette Jeff junior wrestling duo RJ McCoy and Robert McKinney made the weight loss they experienced on their grand trip home to Tippecanoe County from East Chicago to be worth a long feast.
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McCoy finished third at 150 pounds and McKinney finished second at 215 pounds, becoming the first Lafayette Jeff wrestler to win an IHSAA state title since Jacob Raub at 220 pounds in 2021.
“I just want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and everything He has done for me,” McCoy said. “Without him, everything I do means nothing. I want to thank my practice partners and all the rooms I was in throughout the summer.”
More: The strong bond between Jeff Wrestlers RJ McCoy and Robert McKinney
Lafayette Jeff junior RJ McCoy (right) knocks out Rensselaer Central senior Cayden Webb during the 150-pound IHSAA regional championship game Saturday, Feb. 7, in Logansport, Indiana.
McCoy credits his father, Phillip, with helping him get into wrestling rooms around the state.
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Wherever he wanted to go, Philip was there to drive.
“I have him to thank for the training I was able to receive,” McCoy said. “That was a tough semistate.”
More: Jeff Wrestling Coach Tom Miller Takes Final Call at Home
McKinney is proud of helping his coach Tom Miller end his 23-year career with two wrestlers reaching state.
“I’m excited to give him this opportunity,” McKinney said. “Every day is a battle, starting in training. It’s nerve-wracking, especially with most of the guys ranked. It’s very different to what I’m used to. But every game is new and the score is 0-0.”
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Southmont freshman Gavin Mason and sophomore Lukas Scott join Roseville area champions Jacob Cole and Jacob Weaver as six wrestlers representing the Lafayette area at the IHSAA state meet, which begins Friday.
Lafayette Jeff junior RJ McCoy celebrates after winning the 215-pound IHSAA regional championship on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Logansport, Indiana.
Cole won the 157-pound regional title, Weaver won the 175-pound title, while Mason finished second at 132 pounds and Scott finished third at 106 pounds to advance to state from New Castle.
“Watching them compete and do the things we’ve been working on makes me proud of them,” Roseville coach Matt Weaver said. “Because that’s what growth is. When you see them do what we tell them, create scoring chances and put it into action, it’s exciting for a coach. What really makes me more proud is who they are as human beings. How they represent themselves, how they represent the community, they’re two really good young men.”
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Ethan Hanson is a sports reporter for The Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached via: ehanson@jconline.comon Twitter Ethan Hansen and Instagram Ethan Hansen.
This article originally appeared in the Lafayette Journal & Courier: McCoy, McKinney lead six Lafayette area wrestlers to IHSAA state meet
