A large number of Joplin area high school wrestlers secured trips to state with their performances at district tournaments on Saturday.
The top four wrestlers in each of the 14 weight classes advanced to next week’s state tournament at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.
CLASS 4 DISTRICT 3
NIXA, Mo. — Competing at the Class 4 District 3 tourney at Nixa High School, Carthage had four athletes advance to state, while Joplin had two wrestlers advance.
Carthage’s Davion King was the district champion at 160 pounds, while Eli Sneed was the runner-up at 138.
Winning third place matches for the Tigers were Grey Petticrew (145) and Braxdon Tate (152).
Joplin is sending two athletes to state—Gunner Price and Draven VanGilder.
VanGilder won the third-place match at 195, while Price finished fourth at heavyweight.
Ozark (176), Nixa (160), Lebanon (155.5) and Carthage (117.5) were the top four teams.
State wrestling tournaments will be held from Feb. 17-19 in Columbia. There are four classes for boys wrestling and one class for girls.
FULL RESULTS: MSHSAA Class 4 District 3 (trackwrestling.com)
CLASS 3 DISTRICT 3
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — The Class 3 District 3 tournament was held at Carl Junction High School.
Neosho was the team champion with 211.5 points, with Bolivar (174) second and Carl Junction (144) third.
The Wildcats had 10 wrestlers advance to state.
Neosho’s individual district champions were Trent Neece (152 pounds) and Eli Zar (170).
The Wildcats had five runners-up. Taking second in their brackets were Fisher Butler (113), Wyatt Black (120), Johnny Chrisco (126), Hayden Crane (132) and Nate Copeland (138).
Collyn Kivett placed third at 160, while Bostyn Patterson (145) and Ulysses DeLeon (195) finished fourth.
Carl Junction had seven athletes advance to state.
Lukas Walker (106) and Sam Melton (113) captured district championships for the Bulldogs.
Finishing third in their brackets were Max Matthews (120), Tony Stewart (170) and Kameron Bennett (285), while Chance Benford (182) and Cayden Bollinger (220) both finished fourth.
McDonald County had five athletes advance.
The Mustangs had three champions—Blaine Oritz (126), Samuel Murphy (220) and Jayce Hitt (285). Levi Smith took third at 152 and Jose Mendoza-Garcia was fourth at 113.
FULL RESULTS: MSHSAA Class 3 District 3 (trackwrestling.com)
CLASS 2 DISTRICT 3
SENECA, Mo. — Helias Catholic (242.5) and Seneca (174.5) were the top two teams.
Seneca’s district champions were Brady Roark (120), Andrew Manley (138) and Gabriel Commons (170).
Finishing third for the Indians were Caden Thompson (106), Keatin Burleson (113), Brayden Thiel (132) and Dane Napier (182), while Nick Stephens was fourth at 220.
Monett’s Simon Hartline (106) and Harrison Merriman (285) were district champions, with teammate Corbin McCully fourth at 170.
Cassville’s Akhilleus Arguelles was the champ at 132, while teammate Jake Anthonysz was the runner-up at 160. Cassville’s Kurt Deaver (113) finished fourth.
Nevada’s Mokey Dawn took fourth at 126 and Kenneth Johnson was fourth at 195.
Aurora’s Ian Jackson placed third at 220.
FULL RESULTS: MSHSAA Class 2 District 3 (trackwrestling.com)
CLASS 1 DISTRICT 2
Diamond had five qualifiers.
Landon Clement was the district champ at 195 pounds and Brayden Clement was the runner-up at 152.
Finishing third were Breydon Pelt (106), Ty Douglas (182) and Tyler May (220).
FULL RESULTS: MSHSAA Class 1 District 2 (trackwrestling.com)
LOCAL GIRLS ADVANCE TO STATE
Area girls recently competed at the District 3 meet.
Seneca’s Isabella Renfro was the district champion at 174 pounds. Seneca’s Louzella Graham was the runner-up at 115 and teammate Kirsten Bruegel was second at 141.
Cassville’s Annie Moore won a district championship at 115 pounds, while teammates Kelsey Harris (110) and Kailey Artherton (120) placed third and Faith James was fourth at 135.
Diamond’s Josey Crisp finished fourth at 110.
FULL RESULTS: MSHSAA Girls District 3 (trackwrestling.com)
