By: Ross Martin
Belton certainly received the full experience in what it means to compete at the top level after last year’s return to Class 4 for the postseason.
The most successful senior class in program history led an 11th-place team finish in the Class 4 Missouri State Wrestling Championships. Belton had a pair of state finalists accounting for both of their state medals, but none of the Pirates’ previous state champions were able to get back to the top of the podium.
Andrew Gamble and Robert Weber finished as two-time state champions and three-time finalists with the latter a four-time state medalist — third as a freshman in Class 3. Brayden Bradley was also a four-time state qualifier who won a state title as a freshman, and Jack Goin, a fourth key senior, finished as a two-time state qualifier.