The Neosho Wildcats continued their dominance in southwest Missouri wrestling, capturing the team championship at the MSHSAA Class 4 District 3 Boys Tournament held at Joplin High School.
The Wildcats, defending district champs, secured their seventh title in the last nine years by qualifying a strong contingent of wrestlers to the state championships (February 25-28 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia), with top-four finishers advancing in each weight class.
Neosho led the local charge with six champions and additional podium finishes. Standouts included Sebastian Ioanis (120 lbs), who won via sudden victory (8-5) over Kamdon VonHolten of Raymore-Peculiar; Lincoln Howard (165 lbs), pinning Austin Cornett of Lee's Summit in 1:13; Kaymon Rhone (175 lbs), decisioning Owen Diemoz of Nixa (10-5); and Chase Kivett (190 lbs), earning a technical fall (16-1 in 2:32) against Ethan Montiel of Republic. Other Neosho qualifying results came from Marztian Ioanis (2nd at 106 lbs, lost dec 7-0 to Parker Hansen of Ozark) but qualified; Tucker Feagans (3rd at 126 lbs, dec 1-0); Brody Mitchell (4th at 132 lbs); Kelton Shaffer (2nd at 138 lbs, lost TB-1 6-5 to Colton Wilson of Ozark); Carter Howard (2nd at 157 lbs, lost dec 5-4 to Grady Mortensen of Lee's Summit West).
Joplin qualified Lucas Allen, who placed 4th at 120 lbs (lost fall 1:55 in the third-place match to Ryzen Isringhausen of Branson), earning the Eagles' lone state qualifier from the provided placements.
The Class 4state meet is scheduled for Feb. 27 at Missouri Arena in Columbia.