As well as qualifying sophomore Jason Kiehne, senior Kyle Johnston and juniors Cody Maly, Jason Kiehne and Quinn Smith, four of the five, competed in the district finals for their weight classes, and three gained the title of district champions.
After Smith took third and Johnston second, Kiehne won his match by decision in addition to Maly and junior Sam Crane by pins to take first overall.
The tournament went “really well,” Crane said. “We came in with a goal to dominate in districts, and we definitely did that to our fullest ability.”
In addition to the individual accomplishments of the wrestlers, the team also managed to reign over competitors such as Jefferson City High School, to whom they lost 48-23 to last week, and Hickman High School, who has been a nuisance throughout the season.
Although Waynesville and Northwest Eureka high schools placed first and second ahead of the Bruins, Crane still feels very confident about the potential of the team and state qualifiers going into the state championships this coming Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Hearnes Center.
“My expectation for state is to win state,” Crane said. “I guarantee that everyone else’s goal is the same as mine as well. We all have the potential to win state; I think this year is the year we finish really well as a team.”
By Kaitlyn Marsh
