The Missouri Class 3 boys state wrestling championships wrapped up with intense competition across all weight classes over the weekend. Local rivals Carl Junction and Webb City sent strong contingents and delivered standout performances, contributing to solid team finishes in a tournament dominated by St. Michael the Archangel (172.5 points), Kearney (155.5), and Helias Catholic (141).
Carl Junction emerged as one of the top stories, placing fifth overall with 84.5 points. The highlight came at 190 pounds, where senior Marcus Lopez-Durman (34-4) claimed the state championship. After a heartbreaking near-miss in last year's finals, Lopez-Durman dominated the bracket this time, securing the title with a convincing 16-5 major decision over Brock Conaway of Camdenton in the championship match. His victory provided a signature moment for the Bulldogs and capped a strong team effort.
At 126 pounds, Carl Junction senior Camdon Kunkel (43-4) reached the finals but fell to Parker Lutz of St. Michael the Archangel via technical fall (17-2 in 3:03). Kunkel earned second place and silver, showcasing his resilience throughout the postseason.
Other Carl Junction placers included sophomore Jaxson Yaple at 138 pounds (sixth place after a 11-1 major decision loss in the fifth-place match to Dominick Paige of Van Horn) and freshman Kage Stewart at 285 pounds (fourth place, dropping a fall to JD Romero of Kearney in the third-place bout).
Webb City finished 14th with 44.5 points, led by junior Louden Bolinger at 285 pounds. Bolinger advanced to the finals with strong showings, including a semifinal fall, but dropped a razor-thin 1-0 decision to undefeated Zyan Knollmeyer of Helias Catholic. The close loss denied Bolinger the crown but marked him as a runner-up in a highly competitive heavyweight division.
Webb City's other key performers included freshman Tyler Christensen at 132 pounds (sixth place, falling to Phoenix Shelton of Kearney in the fifth-place match via pin at 4:21) and sophomore Carson Rooks at 150 pounds (sixth place, major decisioned 10-0 by Korbin Whitley of Hannibal in the consolation final).
Both programs demonstrated depth and grit, with Carl Junction's championship and multiple top-six finishes highlighting their rise, while Webb City's Bolinger provided a thrilling near-miss in the heavyweights. The results underscore the strength of southwest Missouri wrestling as the offseason begins and eyes turn toward next year's campaigns.