STE GENEVIEVE — Being shut out of state wrestling last winter, Dustin Howard’s Owensville Dutchmen wrestlers looked to avoid that fate two years in a row.
When the final whistle blew …
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STE GENEVIEVE — Being shut out of state wrestling last winter, Dustin Howard’s Owensville Dutchmen wrestlers looked to avoid that fate two years in a row.
When the final whistle blew Saturday night during the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 2, Sectional 1 Wrestling Tournament at Ste. Genevieve High School, three Dutchmen grapplers advanced their way to state with top-three finishes in their respective weight classes.
Junior Chris Stockton was the first Owensville wrestler to punch his ticket to state at 182 pounds.
“It feels awesome that I’ll get to end my junior season at state,” Stockton said. “It’s also sweet that Dakota and Michael (Martin) will be competing at state as well.”
Stockton’s road through the sectional tournament was not exactly a smooth one.
In his first-round bout against Dexter’s Harrison Pennington, Stockton fell behind 4-1 after one period.
Coming back with a reversal and three back points late in the second period, Stockton went on to win the match by fall in 3:53 advancing him to the sectional semifinals.
Sullivan’s Jordan Rice was the only wrestler standing between Stockton and a guaranteed trip to the 91st MSHSAA Wrestling Championships on Thursday, March 11 in Independence.
Trailing 6-3 after one period, Stockton scored a reversal early in the second period before going on to pin the Eagle grappler in 2:34 punching his ticket to state.
“Chris (Stockton) showed up today and wrestled well,” Howard said. “It was great to see him continue to wrestle well after his district title.”
Awaiting Stockton in the sectional championship match was Notre Dame (Cape Girardeau) junior Trey Schreckenberg.
Shut out the first two periods, Stockton was able to score a reversal midway through the third period before dropping a 5-2 decision and settling for second place in the sectional tournament at 182 pounds in Ste. Genevieve.
A little later in the day, Stockton gained some company for state.
Sophomore Michael Martin finished second at district two weeks ago and looked for a similar finish Saturday in Ste. Genevieve.
Drawing Dexter freshman Chase Berry in the first round at 106 pounds, Martin needed only 1:07 to secure the win by fall and advance to the sectional semifinals against Ste. Genevieve freshman Gage Gross.
Already owning a win over the Dragon grappler, Martin was looking for another one to punch his ticket to state.
Taking a 2-0 lead after one period, Martin did not score the rest of the match before being pinned in 5:44 and sent to the consolation semifinals.
Facing Kennett sophomore Gavin Patterson, Martin needed a victory to advance to the third-place match and keep his hopes for state alive.
Trailing 4-2 after one period, Martin scored 11 unanswered points the rest of the match to win a 13-4 major decision advancing him to the third-place match at 106 pounds.
Standing between Martin and a trip to Independence was St. James sophomore Blake Marlatt.
Quickly gaining control of the match, Martin pinned the Tiger grappler in :50 to become Owensville’s second state qualifier.
With one Martin qualified for state, there was a chance for one more in senior Dakota Martin at 195 pounds.
Also finishing as the district runner-up, Dakota looked to join his brother at state with a top-three finish at sectionals.
Drawing Dexter senior Caleb Coons in the first round, Martin actually trailed the Bearcat senior 7-5 after one period.
Able to score a takedown and three back points midway through the second period, Martin went on to pin Coons in 3:25 advancing to the sectional semifinals against Central (Park Hills) junior Troy Harris.
Taking a 4-2 lead over the Rebel junior after one period, Martin could not keep the momentum going before being pinned in 2:23 and sent to the consolation semifinals.
Awaiting Martin in the consolation semifinals was Ste. Genevieve freshman Gabriel Willett.
Not even halfway through the first period, Martin advanced to the third-place match with a win by fall in :25 over the Dragon grappler.
Standing between the elder Martin and a trip to state with his younger brother was Sullivan senior Wyatt Medlock.
Similar to the previous match, Martin quickly gained control of the bout pinning the Eagle grappler in :28 becoming the third Dutchmen to advance to state wrestling.
“Michael and Dakota battled their way through the back side to get themselves to state,” Howard said. “Now the goal is to get them on the podium at state.”
Brackets for the 91st MSHSAA Wrestling Championships will be released tomorrow (Thursday) morning on the MSHSAA website at www.mshsaa.org.
Results and photos of fellow sectional qualifiers Bobby Coello, Gabe Soest, Brent Helmig and Hayden Shoemaker will be in next week’s Republican.
Those four wrestlers ended their respective seasons with two losses in the sectional tournament.