CARTHAGE, Mo. – The Central Ozark Conference (COC) boys wrestling tournament, hosted at Carthage High School over the weekend, delivered thrilling action and standout performances, with Neosho Wildcats leading the charge by securing several individual championships and a first-place finish with 256 team points. Local programs from Carthage, Joplin, and Webb City also combined for an impressive array of podium finishes.
Neosho emerged as the clear powerhouse among the focused schools, claiming four individual titles and multiple high placements. Chase Kivett (37-3) dominated at 190 pounds, earning first place with a 15-3 major decision over Nixa's Owen Diemoz. Kaymon Rhone (22-4) added another championship at 175 pounds, tech-falling Willard's Kade Shurtz 15-0 in the finals. Lincoln Howard (34-4) pinned Carthage's Lenny Escobar in 2:27 to win at 165 pounds, while senior Carter Howard (35-2) capped a stellar day with a 15-0 tech fall over Willard's Gunner Puryear at 157 pounds.
Other Wildcat highlights included Tucker Feagans (11-2) taking first at 126 pounds via 15-7 major decision over Nixa's Cameron Madderra, Kelton Shaffer (29-7) pinning Ozark's Colton Wilson in 4:51 for the 138-pound crown, and Brody Mitchell earning second at 132 pounds after a tight 4-2 loss to Glendale's Ethan Kelly. Marztian Ioanis finished second at 106 pounds (7-3 decision loss to Ozark's Parker Hansen), and Dayton Kivett placed fifth at 215 pounds with a pin over Glendale's Deric Washington in 1:18. Jackson Schofield took sixth at 285 pounds.
Carthage's Tigers had a solid tournament, led by Lenny Escobar's runner-up finish at 165 pounds after the pin loss to Neosho's Lincoln Howard. Jace Nichols earned fifth at 144 pounds with a sudden-victory fall (6:45) over Lebanon's Gage Starnes. Douglas Ball secured fifth at 138 pounds via an 18-1 tech fall over Republic's Isaac Crowley in 4:55. Randy Teo Monzon claimed third at 106 pounds with a 13-4 major decision over Willard's Gabe Grisham.
Other Carthage placers included Kixson Reynolds in fourth at 113 pounds (medical forfeit loss to Ozark's Taiga Kwon), Javi Perez Merida seventh at 120 pounds with a fall over Webb City's Lemuel Glaubitz in 3:30, Adam Jones eighth at 126 pounds after a 12-2 major decision loss to Republic's Bentley Packwood, Kayden Hole fourth at 157 pounds (19-3 tech fall loss to Webb City's Blayke Leonard), and Dylan (Michael) Evans eighth at 150 pounds following a fall to Republic's Abel Shade in 1:33.
Webb City's Cardinals produced several strong medal performances. Blayke Leonard (26-9) took third at 157 pounds with a 19-3 tech fall over Carthage's Kayden Hole in 3:49. Cylis French earned third at 138 pounds via 9-0 major decision over Lebanon's Memphis Harmon. Carson Rooks secured third at 150 pounds with a fall over Waynesville's Dian Justus in 1:21. Louden Bolinger placed fourth at 285 pounds after a fall loss to Waynesville's Luke Pollman in 2:38. Tyler Christensen grabbed seventh at 132 pounds with a 6-2 decision over Lebanon's Kaden Branch. Other Webb City finishers included Lemuel Glaubitz eighth at 120 pounds (fall loss to Carthage's Javi Perez Merida in 3:30), Gauge Heilburn seventh at 144 pounds with a fall over Kickapoo's Cristian Ponce in 2:11, and Preston Wilson fifth at 190 pounds via fall over Waynesville's Landon Boswell in 2:39.
Joplin's Eagles added to the local medal count with Judah Meredith earning third at 190 pounds by pinning Lebanon's Davin Admire in 1:29. Andrew Burke took fourth at 132 pounds after a 9-5 decision loss to Ozark's Andrew York. Andrew Esterline placed fifth at 285 pounds with an 8-2 decision over Neosho's Jackson Schofield. Gryphon Price secured seventh at 215 pounds with a fall over Kickapoo's Washington Ramelo in 4:19. Other Joplin placers included Peter Dameron eighth at 106 pounds (fall loss to Republic's Aydan Walker in 1:57), Cory Ivey eighth at 113 pounds (17-14 decision loss to Neosho's Dade Rothman), Caden Cox sixth at 120 pounds (fall loss to Waynesville's Isaiah Santos in 2:45), and Andrew Burke's fourth-place showing.