Gasconade County Republican

COLUMBIA - Starting the day with seven wrestlers, Rod Banrdollar's Owensville Dutchmen ended day one of the 82nd MSHSAA Wrestling Championships from Mizzou Arena with three grapplers still alive.

Pinning Excelsior Springs junior AJ Peterson, freshman Matthew Pohlmann advanced to the quarterfinals tomorrow morning (Friday) with a win by fall in 4:57. Pohlmann will face Winfield senior John Bobeen in quarterfinal action beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Fellow freshman Kiowa Wright faced Moberly senior Dylan Johnson in first-round action at 120 pounds. Falling by a 14-7 decision, Wright was sent to the first round of wrestlebacks later in the day against Monett freshman Kedric Brink. Losing by technical fall, 15-0, Wright saw his first season in a Dutchmen singlet end with a record of 14-28.

Rounding out the trio of Dutchmen freshman, David Weirich opened his state tournament at 138 pounds against Monett senior Cristobal Renteria. Pinned in 3:15, Weirich was also sent to the wrestleback rounds against Priory senior James Merenda. Falling in an 11-2 major decision, Weirich ended his first season of high school wrestling at 18-13.

Cody Dolles was the next Dutchmen to hit the mats at Mizzou Arena at 160 pounds against Odessa's Josh Thomson in first-round action. Losing by fall in 3:15, Dolles had to face Moberly's Blake Joiner in the first round of wrestlebacks to stay alive in the tournament. Pinned late in the second period, Dolles' first trip to state wrestling ended in two matches.

Making his first trip to Mizzou Arena, senior Dietrich Bombach started his tournament at 170 pounds against Westminster Christian Academy junior Chris Cacciarelli. Avenging a loss earlier in the season, Cacciarelli defeated Bombach by a 12-3 major decision. Now wrestling for his life, Bombach took on Reed Springs sophomore Zach Kearney in the first round of wrestlebacks. Midway through the second period, Bombach's senior season and Dutchmen wrestling career ended with a loss by pinfall in 2:10.

Sophomore AJ Harrell looked for his first win at a state tournament after going two and out as a freshman. Going against Harrisonville senior Jarrick Fitzgeralds, Harrell recorded his first win at Mizzou Arena with a victory by pinfall in 2:12 in the first round at 182 pounds. Advancing to the quarterfinals tomorrow morning, Harrell will face MICDS senior Peter Schlafly.

Senior heavyweight Kaleb Collins was the last OHS wrestler to step on the mats of Mizzou Arena. Facing Buffalo senior Derick Harris, Collins' hopes for a gold or silver medal were dashed when Harris pinned him in 1:06. Moving to the first round of wrestlebacks, Collins took on Cameron sophomore Brady Gunn. Near the end of the first period, Collins stayed alive at 285 pounds with a win by pinfall in :44.

Stay with this website for continuing coverage from the 82nd MSHSAA Wrestling Championships from Columbia's Mizzou Arena.