JOPLIN SEES SUCCESS AT REPUBLIC
REPUBLIC, Mo. — The Joplin High School boys wrestling team finished third in the team standings at the Republic Invitational on Saturday.
The top five teams were Jefferson City (336), Republic (271), Joplin (181), Rogers (174) and Camdenton (169). There were 15 teams competing.
Joplin’s Draven VanGilder was the champion at 215 pounds. In the title bout, VanGilder earned a major decision, 9-1, over Camdenton’s Gunner Morris. VanGilder won his first four matches by fall.
Also for the Eagles, Ethan Bentz finished third at 165, Freddy Cerrato Martinez was fourth at 132, Josiah Hazelwood was fourth at 190, Juan Morales took fifth at 157 and Brennan Washington was fifth at 285.
Alex Short (138) and Johnathen Burke (144) both finished seventh in their respective brackets, while Toryn Jones was ninth at 126.
The Joplin girls finished fifth in the team standings at Republic.
Joplin’s Coryanna Mueller was the champion at 110 pounds, while Erika Washom was the runner-up at 135.
Amy Kessler (145) and Mya Ndedi Ntepe (155) both won third-place matches.
Olivia Higdon finished sixth at 140.
Carl Junction also had girls competing at Republic.
Bryanna McCabe took third at 120 and Sarah Tyler was sixth at 155.
NEOSHO TAKES SECOND AT BRANSON, CARL JUNCTION FOURTH
BRANSON, Mo. — Neosho was the runner-up and Carl Junction finished fourth at the Branson Invitational on Saturday.
The top five teams were Ozark (210.5), Neosho (180.5), Helias Catholic (165.5), Carl Junction (139) and Bolivar (138.5).
Neosho had two individual champions, as Eli Zar took first at 165 pounds and Nico Olivares won the heavyweight bracket.
Finishing third for the Wildcats were Sam Fryar (106), Fisher Butler (120), Ulysses DeLeon (190) and Everson Tomlinson (215).
Brody Mitchell (113), Hunter Butler (132) and Josh Scheuerman (138) all placed fifth, while Chase Kivett was sixth at 150.
Carl Junction’s Lukas Walker was the champion at 113, while Sam Melton (126), Tony Stewart (165) and Chance Benford (190) all finished second in their brackets.
Also for the Bulldogs, Marcus Lopez-Durman (157) and Cayden Bollinger (285) finished fourth, while Brenden Berry (138) and Blake Starks (215) both placed seventh.
CJ’s Cole Beezley (113) and Max Matthews (132) each took eighth.
Also, McDonald County’s Samuel Murphy was the champion at 215, while teammate Blaine Ortiz placed third at 138, Colter Vick took third at 175 and Malosi Sosef was fourth at 190.
Monett’s Simon Hartline was the champ at 120 and Cassville’s Colton Roark took first at 144.
