Dexter sophomore wrestler Travis Waldner takes third at state tournament

Dexter sophomore Travis Waldner finished third Saturday at the MSHSAA State Wrestling Championships in Columbia.

Waldner (47-6) defeated Keegan Scarborough, of Oak Grove, 7-2 in the Class 2, 126-pound third-place match.

After a scoreless first period, Waldner earned points on a penalty and an escape in the second. He stretched his lead to 4-0 with a near fall early in the third. Scarborough cut his deficit in half with a reversal, but Waldner wrapped up the victory with an escape and a takedown.

After reaching the semifinals Friday night, he lost 1-0 to Joel Barrientos, of Monett, but bounced back to beat Jonah Gann, of Logan-Rogersville, 7-4 in the fourth round of wrestlebacks Saturday morning. Waldner beat Gann 6-3 in the first round Thursday.

The sophomore defeated Colten Sewell, of Chillicothe, 7-3 in overtime in Friday morning’s quarterfinal round.