Semoball wrestling roundup, Feb. 18-19: New Madrid wins big at districts

New Madrid County Central took home the Class 1 District 1 title, finishing with 181.0 points, firmly defeating Valle Catholic in second place at 152.5.

The Eagles got first-place wins from Caleb Moore (106), Devin Rowe (144), Gavyn Colbert (150), Connor Henderson (175), and Ty Blakey (190), while Tharon Harper (third, 113) and Christian Williams (third, 157) both advanced to the state championships after finishing on the podium in their respective weight classes.

Charlie West ended up as the sole first-place finisher for Notre Dame as the Bulldogs finished sixth in the district. Parker Lemmons (second, 132), Sam Criddle (fourth, 157), and Ethan Jackson (second, 175) all placed to advance to state for the Bulldogs.

Class 2 District 1

The Dexter Bearcats proved to be the best area team in their district, with five podium finishers in the Class 2 District 1 Tournament this past weekend.

Eric Harmon finished as the lone first-place finisher for Dexter, winning his first-place match by a 6-5 decision against Sullivan’s Eli Peregoy. Conrad Purnell (fourth, 126), Ryan Young (fourth, 144), Kasen Forkum (third, 150), and Shea Eberhardt (fourth, 285) all advanced to state with placement for the Bearcats.

Kennett also pushed a wrestler onto the podium in district play, as Gavin Patterson finished fourth to advance to the Class 2 state championship meet.

Class 3 District 1

Sikeston and Cape Central combined to send three wrestlers to state over the weekend. While the teams didn’t reach the podium collectively, with the Bulldogs finishing ninth and the Tigers in 12th, they’ll both be represented in the upcoming Class 3 state tournament meet.

Sikeston got a pair of fourth-place finishes over the weekend, as Jacob Leavitt finished on the podium in his 144 class, while Blayne McDermott finished in fourth for the 150-pound weight class to follow suit and advance to state.

Davarious Nunley of Cape Central finished fourth in his 175-pound weight class to punch his ticket to Columbia as the Tigers' lone representative.

Class 4 District 1

Jackson finished in third, while Poplar Bluff finished in ninth as local wrestlers represented their schools well in the Class 4 District 1 meet this past weekend.

Jackson got two first-place finishes in the meet as Landon Vassalli won the 113 weight class with a 2-1 decision in the championship match, while Tyler Beyatte won the 215 weight class with a pinfall against Christian Brothers’ James Distaso-Hutchins.

Kadon Shaw (fourth, 106), Kade King (second, 120), Matthew May (third, 138), Gavin Hicks (second, 144), Griffin Horman (third, 190), and Noah Gibson (second, 285) all finished on the podium to advance to state for the Indians.

Meanwhile, the Mules finished with three wrestlers placing. Lucas Robertson won the district championship in the 150-pound weight class on a 7-2 decision. Logan Hite took the gold in the 165-pound weight class with a 3-1 decision. Dace Wisdom finished in fourth place to claim his ticket to Columbia.