SENECA SHINES WITH TWO STATE TITLES AND SECOND-PLACE FINISH
The MSHSAA Class 2 state wrestling meet concluded with Seneca High School emerging as a powerhouse, finishing second overall as a team with 129.0 points.
Seneca’s standout performance was highlighted by two individual state champions and a strong showing across multiple weight classes.
Brant Laughlin (138 pounds) capped an undefeated 52-0 season with a dramatic sudden victory win over Odessa’s Kamden Hooper, 12-9, securing the title in a match that had the crowd on its feet. Meanwhile, Jace Renfro (190 pounds) dominated Savannah’s Braylon Ellis with an 11-0 major decision, finishing his season at an impressive 48-2.
Eli Manley (132 pounds) reached the finals but fell to Odessa’s Blaine Wallace in a 16-5 major decision, settling for second with a 45-6 record. Nolan Napier (215 pounds) also took silver, dropping a 12-1 major decision to Savannah’s Cooper Burnsides (55-2). Adding to the team’s depth, Caden Thompson (126 pounds) battled back through the consolation bracket to claim fifth place with a 2:10 fall over Sullivan’s Carter Blankenship, finishing at 44-9.
Nevada’s Kason Clark (175) fought his way to the fifth-place match, where he was pinned at 3:45 by Cassville’s Riley James (38-6), finishing with a 20-12 record. DJ Glidewell (215) earned fifth via medical forfeit over St. James’ Joshua Carpenter after a 12-3 season.
NEOSHO TAKES FOURTH AT CLASS 4 MEET
The MSHAA Class 4 Boys Wrestling Championships concluded with a strong showing from Neosho, which took fourth place as a team.
The Wildcats led the local contingent with an impressive haul of medals, including a runner-up finish and several podium placements.
Neosho’s standout performer, Chase Kivett, came agonizingly close to claiming the 190-pound title. With a stellar 42-4 record entering the match, Kivett faced off against Liberty’s Peyton Westpfahl (34-1) in the championship bout. Despite a valiant effort, Kivett fell victim to Westpfahl’s technical prowess, losing by tech fall (17-1) at 4:40. The silver medal caps an outstanding season for the Neosho senior, who showcased his dominance throughout the tournament.
Neosho’s depth was on full display in the consolation brackets. Carter Howard (157 pounds) secured third place with a commanding pin over Hickman’s Taryn Nichols at 3:49, finishing his season at 48-4. Lincoln Howard (165 pounds) added a fifth-place finish, pinning Francis Howell North’s Collin Conley in 1:45 to end with a 46-8 record. Kaymon Rhone (175 pounds) also claimed fifth, edging out Liberty’s Donovan Hodges in sudden victory (10-7) to finish 38-10. Rounding out Neosho’s medal haul, Everson Tomlinson (285 pounds) took fifth with a 7-1 decision over Staley’s Kamaha`o Grace, concluding at 41-9.
The Wildcats’ strong performance underscored their status as a wrestling powerhouse in Class 4, though lighter weight classes proved tougher. Marztian Ioanis (106 pounds) dropped his fifth-place match to Lafayette’s Max Rowe by fall in just 22 seconds (34-17), and Kelton Shaffer (132 pounds) fell to Lafayette’s Caleb Frankenberger by tech fall (19-2) in the fifth-place bout, ending at 42-13.
CARL JUNCTION TAKES SIXTH AT CLASS 3 MEET; MAC COUNTY, WEBB CITY TAKE PART
The MSHSAA Class 3 state wrestling championships brought fierce competition to the mats, with Carl Junction, McDonald County and Webb City wrestlers taking it to the mat for a shot at a state title.
Carl Junction led the trio of local schools with two runners-up and additional medalists.
Carl Junction’s Tony Stewart (175) and Marcus Lopez-Durman (190) came close to securing a state title. Stewart (39-4) fell 4-2 to Bolivar’s Mason McCurry (31-3) in a tightly contested final, while Lopez-Durman (38-4) dropped an 11-5 sudden victory decision to Kearney’s Carter Temple (44-3).
The Bulldogs also saw Carter Foglesong (120) claim fifth place with a 12-6 decision over St. Pius X’s Dylan Hall, finishing at 41-8. Camdon Kunkel (126) took on St. Pius X’s Andrew Garcia in the fifth-place match, falling by a 0:43 pin to end at 34-15.
McDonald County’s wrestlers battled valiantly, earning three podium finishes. Stevan Benhumea (215) capped his tournament with a fifth-place finish, dominating Festus’ Dylan Johnson 12-2 in a major decision to close his season at 32-9. Alex Bogart (190) reached the third-place match but fell 7-1 to Marshfield’s Tyce Jones (43-8), settling for fourth with a 38-18 record. At heavyweight, Miguel Melendez Cassiano (285) fought to fifth but was pinned at 0:46 by Northeast’s Amanono Sua, finishing at 31-19.