Lafayette, Eureka Wrestlers Head to State

The state wrestling tournament is under way, as qualification matches were completed at district tournaments across the St. Louis region last weekend.

Both Lafayette and Eureka High School will be well-represented at the upcoming state championships. The 81st MSHSAA State Wrestling Championships will be Feb. 17-19 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.

The Class 4 District 1 tourney included these squads: Eureka, Fox, Jackson, Kirkwood, Lafayette, Lindbergh, Marquette, Mehlville, Northwest, Oakville, Parkway South, Seckman, SLUH, and Vianney. It was held Feb. 11 and Feb. 12 at Northwest High School in Cedar Hill, and produced some gritty performances as wrestlers competed to find out if a season of training, preparation, and meets had readied them for state qualification.

Lafayette finished third at the tournament, and seven Lancers qualified for the state finals. Nick Olejnick (135 pounds) captured the only individual championship for Lafayette in a district competition coach Scott Sissom referred to as a rollercoaster ride.

“We’ve had some ups and downs; we would have liked to get more kids into the medal round, but we are strong in the same weight classes where other programs are strong. So we got most of the guys to state we were counting on, and now we have our work cut out for us,” said Sissom.

The Lafayette coach singled out Ryan Siebert (130) and Kyle Black (140) as qualifiers that the team considers dangerous as they head to Columbia.

Sophomore Matt McClimens (189) posted a first-place finish for Eureka as the Wildcats advanced three wrestlers to the state championships. Coach Tim Yancey explained that the whole season comes down to districts, and then, hopefully, state. Though he did not see as many wrestlers qualify as he hoped for, those moving ahead are on track for success.

“We knew Matt would be strong, and we expect him to be a top-six medalist at Columbia. But, realistically, the other kids are going to have to surprise some people next weekend,” said Yancey.

Marquette saw six of its wrestlers qualify for state, and though the Mustangs did not put up an individual champion, they took fifth overall and coach George Hovis commented on his team’s progress being a result of a good process.

“There’s always good and bad, and I take it all with a grain of salt. But our guys worked very hard, and we have some wrestlers like Zach Conn (152), who drew probably the best guy in the bracket and battled his way back.

“Also I look at what happened with Matt (Mosior, 160). He got a rematch against a kid he lost to in a dual earlier in the season; it’s a great script, it’s what we train for all year, great opportunity,” said Hovis.

Seckman came out on top at Northwest in team points, winning the district on the heels of four individual championship performances. Brock Wingbermuehle (103), Matt Kraus (112), Denny Kleinschrodt (125) and Blake Pepper (140) led the Jaguars with first-place finishes.

Lindbergh had a strong district tournament with one first-place wrestler (Michael Slyman, 152), and four additional wrestlers advancing to state. The Flyers finished sixth overall at the event and will take Slyman, Matthew Ratterree (112), Sam Stinebrook (119), Tom Korenak (125) and Christopher Kew (189) to Columbia for the championship tourney.

Parkway South will take three wrestlers to state, including first-place champion Donnell Walker (heavyeight, 285). Joining Walker will be Andrew Hayes (171) and Tyler Sonnabend (140).

Mehlville will see Jimmy Brockman (135) go to Columbia for the finals. Brockman won a minor decision to take third place at the district tournament. Brockman’s opponent, Matthew Jackson, of Oakville, will also make a trip to the finals next weekend, along with fellow teammate, Jonathon Bromeier (125), who took fourth at districts.

While area representation is substantial heading into next weekend’s tournament, much work remains for individual wrestlers hoping to climb onto the champions stand at Mizzou Arena.

Still, though not all coaches say it, probably most have similar feelings of pride this time of year to those of Marquette’s Hovis: “Every kid on my team, I’d like to have as either a son-in-law, or a brother … they’re all great,” Hovis said.