COLUMBIA — A state medal to go with his district championship.

That was on the mind of Owensville Dutchmen sophomore Steven Buddemeyer last week during the 2024 Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Wrestling Championships inside Columbia’s Mizzou Arena.

Able to bounce back from a quarterfinal loss, Buddemeyer won his next two matches in wrestlebacks to cement his spot on the medal stand in MSHSAA Class 2 boys wrestling at 126 pounds.

“Steven wrestles hard every day whether it’s in practice or in a match,” Dutchmen head wrestling coach Dustin Howard said. “I’m proud of Steven for getting on the medal stand and I look forward to him improving his position next year.”

First-round action last Wednesday night pitted Buddemeyer against Excelsior Springs’ Micah Danner.

Quickly gaining control of the match, Buddemeyer advanced to the quarterfinals with a win by fall in 1:41 setting up a showdown with Blair Oaks’ Carter Kempker.

Losing a 10-2 major decision to Kempker during the Sam Richardson Duals Tournament in Moberly, Buddemeyer looked to avenge that loss and clinch a state medal at the same time.

Staying right with the Falcon grappler throughout the first two periods, Buddemeyer suffered a loss by fall in 4:31 sending him to the second round of wrestlebacks and a match against Orchard Farm’s Russell Dunkmann.

Kempker went on to place fifth in the state at 126 pounds.

Pinning his Eagle opponent in 3:20, only Kirksville’s Justin Schutter stood between Buddemeyer and a guaranteed spot in the top six at 126 pounds.

Tying the match at 2-2 on a second-period takedown, Buddemeyer went on to pin his fellow orange and black foe in 2:13 advancing him to the consolation semifinals.

Pinning Savannah’s Creighton Cook in 2:41, Buddemeyer advanced to the third-place match against Mid-Buchanan’s Spencer Cunningham.

Trailing 4-0 early in the second period, Buddemeyer was pinned in 2:12 forcing him to settle for fourth place at 126 pounds.