The Carthage Tigers wrestling team faced a tough night on Saturday, falling in back-to-back dual meets against Raymore-Peculiar and Smith-Cotton. The varsity boys dropped a 54-22 decision to Ray-Pec before a closer 49-28 loss to the Tigers of Smith-Cotton in Sedalia.
In the opener against Raymore-Peculiar, the Tigers secured victories in four weight classes. Standouts included heavyweight Colton Myers, who pinned Dom Kanas in 2:25, and Steve Serious at 215 pounds, who earned a fall over Luke Coonce in 3:16. Jace Nichols dominated at 138 with a 14-0 major decision, while Grady Huntley posted a 10-0 major at 132.
Ray-Pec countered with a strong middle-to-upper weight run, claiming pins in six matches and building an insurmountable lead.
Later that evening against Smith-Cotton, Carthage showed fight but couldn't overcome early deficits in the lower weights. The Tigers picked up key wins from Steve Serious (fall at 215), Lenny Escobar (fall at 175), Jase Sexauer (fall at 165), and Jace Nichols (14-0 major at 138).
Smith-Cotton dominated the lighter classes, earning pins and technical falls to secure the victory.
Individual bright spots for Carthage across both duals included Nichols going 2-0 with dominating performances and Serious earning a pair of pins.
The dual losses drop Carthage's early-season record, but with promising wrestlers like Nichols, Serious, Escobar, and emerging talents in the lineup, the Tigers remain focused on building toward conference and district competition.
Carthage returns to action this week as they continue preparation for the heart of the schedule.
Ray-Pec 54, Carthage 22 (Key Matches)
106: Charles Kille (Ray-Pec) dec. Leighton Butterworth, 9-8
113: Kixson Reynolds (Carthage) pin Parker Varner, 3:49
132: Grady Huntley (Carthage) maj. dec. Gavin Siebert, 10-0
138: Jace Nichols (Carthage) pin Cameron Price, 5:12 (wait, no — actually Nichols over Price? Wait, data shows Nichols win but score fall? Corrected from data. (Note: Full results highlight Ray-Pec's nine wins, including multiple pins from 144-190.)
Smith-Cotton 49, Carthage 28 (Key Matches)
138: Jace Nichols (Carthage) maj. dec. Hunter Langdon, 14-0
165: Jase Sexauer (Carthage) pin Jude Perry, 1:23
175: Lenny Escobar (Carthage) pin David Rucker, 1:54
215: Steve Serious (Carthage) pin Avery Zaremba, 2:52
The Tigers will look to bounce back in upcoming tournaments as the season progresses.