By: Ross Martin The final result didn’t meet the program’s lofty expectations, but Park Hill continued to be a top contender in Class 4. The Trojans have placed in the top four at the Class 4 Missouri State Wrestling Championships for 12 straight years, including in 2019 when they ended up third behind repeat champion […]
By: Ross Martin For Cristian Dixon, the goals start and end with winning the final match of the season for the first time in his career. The Benton senior is a three-time medalist in the Class 2 Missouri State Wrestling Championships and a two-time finalist. Yet, he finished fourth as a freshman at 113 and […]
By: Ross Martin Hallsville wants to prove there is more to the program than just Andrew Huddlestone, who became the school’s first-ever Class 1 Missouri State Wrestling Championships individual champion a year ago. But his importance goes beyond just his contributions on the mat. “We have a good core group of returning wrestlers who are […]
By: Ross Martin Kade Willis continued to prove to himself — and the rest of the state — that he belongs during the Class 2 Missouri State Wrestling Championships last year. Now a junior at Central (Park Hills), he ran all the way to the 132-pound state championship match, losing a tight 4-3 decision to […]
By: Ross Martin For early practices, Trenton only had 17 total wrestlers in the room. Don’t count participation as a concern for coach Charlie Bacon, who looks to restore the Bulldogs as a Class 1 power. Trenton sent just three to the Class 1 Missouri State Wrestling Championships a year ago, but behind a third-place […]
By: Ross Martin The task would have been difficult for Center — no matter the extenuating circumstances. The Yellowjackets lost four senior captains from last year’s team and now must rebuild with a likely tougher postseason path. Trevor Rey (170 pounds) and Marquan Dickerson (285) pounds were Center’s lone qualifiers for the Class 2 Missouri […]
By: Ross Martin Oak Grove has gone an almost unthinkable two years without a state trophy. While many can only aspire to reach that level tradition, the Panthers continually embrace their yearly expectations and want to get back to their 2016-17 Class 2 Missouri State Wrestling Championships team title form. “Expectations are to always compete […]
By: Ross Martin The best indicator for a change in mentality at Lincoln Prep shows in this year’s expectations, even as the challenge becomes undeniably more difficult. The Blue Tigers put two talented freshmen in the Class 2 Missouri State Wrestling Championships a year ago but now must adjust to a step up in competition […]
By: Ross Martin There were the inevitable disappointments in the Class 3 Missouri State Wrestling Championships, but Willard finished seventh as a team and celebrated brothers Christian Finley and Michael Finley making the championship bouts at 106 and 113. All appeared to be trending in a positive direction. Then came the scary scenario that played […]
By: Ross Martin St. Charles may be replacing a pair of third-place finishers from last year’s Class 3 Missouri State Championships and three qualifiers total, but don’t think optimism is dimmed. The Pirates experienced a breakthrough season, and the final result could have been even better if not for an unfortunate injury. “Outlook is very […]