The Carthage Tigers entered this week’s MSHSAA State Wrestling Championships as the Southwest Missouri leader for number of state qualifiers. Carlos Reyes (113), Tanner Russow (120), Selvin Estrada (126), Dagan Sappington (132), Davion King (138), Kelten Campbell (170), Kanen Vogt (195), Kale Schrader (220) and Brener Ocana (285) all took to the mat Thursday evening to compete against the best wrestlers in Missouri’s Class 4 competition. While seedings from district tournament finishes dictate the actual place finish, it is a well-known fact that the random pairings for the state tournament do not necessarily guarantee any wrestler an easy road to the medal stand.
Carthage wrestlers fell victim to some tough competition first round, as six of nine wrestlers were bumped to the backside of the brackets following losses. Only freshman, Davion King and seniors Kelten Campbell and Kale Schrader were able to fight through with wins in their first competition of the day.
“I knew everyone was going to be strong in the first round but I don’t think you can account for how quick the wrestlers are. I felt confident going into the match, and then in the third period when I took the lead I felt like I defended well and was going to win,” said King. Representing Carthage’s only freshman in this week’s competition, King is the brother of 2019 graduate Dalen Moore, who is currently wrestling at NEO in Miami, Oklahoma.
Senior, Kelten Campbell expected the competition to be on par with what he saw in his first match.
“Everyone comes out strong and wants to make a good impression their first time on the mat. I was confident about my victory from the beginning. Everyone is here for a reason and I feel like my reason was to make it through the first day and head to my next set of goals for the tournament.”
Fellow senior, Kale Schrader was the final wrestler to claim a victory in Thursday night’s competition. As a defending state champion in last year’s competition, Schrader has maintained an almost perfect record this season, with only one loss to nationally ranked Kansas wrestler, Cade Lautt from St. James Academy. With a decisive pin 36 seconds into the match, it is safe to say that Schrader is set to show us some fireworks this weekend.
The Tigers managed to change the momentum from first-round losses to solid wins during the first round wrestleback round late Thursday evening, with the loss of only one wrestler, Kanen Vogt.
“Kanen is a young man in an adult’s body. You don’t see too many youngsters that come into high school and make it to the state tournament in his weight class (195). Success will come once his skills develop more with his size. I expect great things from Kanen once we build his strength before next year,” said head coach Kenny Brown. “The state tournament is a grind and we expect nothing less than the best from everyone there. Kanen stepped into a crucial spot for us this year and turned some heads.” Brown was also pleased with the results from his other five wrestlers after their first-round losses. “I was a little worried after the first round. We looked sluggish, nervous and not confident. Second round we turned things in our favor and wrestled like we know we are capable. Every single one of the guys, Carlos, Tanner, Selvin, Dagan and Brener all went out, used their heads and wrestled smart. I think a key component is not to get caught up in the magnitude of the situation and just remember that everyone out there is starting from scratch. Anything can happen at the state tournament – it’s all about controlling that outcome the best you can.”
Carthage resumes state tournament action Friday afternoon with quarterfinals and second-round wrestlebacks, followed by semifinals Friday evening.
Results from Friday’s state competition:
MSHSAA Wrestling Championships Results for Carthage
113 Class 4
Carlos Reyes (32-11) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – David Cross (Francis Howell Central) 32-0 won by fall over Carlos Reyes (Carthage) 32-11 (Fall 0:46)
Cons. Round 1 – Carlos Reyes (Carthage) 32-11 won by fall over Anderson Lipp (Staley) 27-22 (Fall 2:20)
120 Class 4
Tanner Russow (31-10) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Jojo Camacho (Northwest (Cedar Hill)) 25-7 won by decision over Tanner Russow (Carthage) 31-10 (Dec 14-7)
Cons. Round 1 – Tanner Russow (Carthage) 31-10 won by fall over Jackson Sapp (Holt) 13-23 (Fall 0:28)
126 Class 4
Selvin Estrada (29-14) place is unknown and scored 2.5 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Andrew Doehring (Lafayette (Wildwood)) 33-11 won by decision over Selvin Estrada (Carthage) 29-14 (Dec 7-4)
Cons. Round 1 – Selvin Estrada (Carthage) 29-14 won by tech fall over Arneze Rush (Hazelwood West) 25-8 (TF-1.5 4:30 (16-1))
132 Class 4
Dagan Sappington (25-11) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Henry Thomas (Lafayette (Wildwood)) 35-11 won by decision over Dagan Sappington (Carthage) 25-11 (Dec 5-2)
Cons. Round 1 – Dagan Sappington (Carthage) 25-11 won by fall over Andrew Peppin (Holt) 13-20 (Fall 2:18)
138 Class 4
Davion King (30-12) place is unknown and scored 2.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Davion King (Carthage) 30-12 won by decision over Quinten Bell (Poplar Bluff) 35-9 (Dec 7-2)
170 Class 4
Kelten Campbell (34-5) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Kelten Campbell (Carthage) 34-5 won by fall over Isaiah Slaughter (Holt) 24-12 (Fall 1:17)
195 Class 4
Kanen Vogt (26-18) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Rocky Elam (Staley) 29-0 won by fall over Kanen Vogt (Carthage) 26-18 (Fall 0:31)
Cons. Round 1 – Cole Litteken (Francis Howell) 28-14 won by decision over Kanen Vogt (Carthage) 26-18 (Dec 5-3)
220 Class 4
Kale Schrader (29-1) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Kale Schrader (Carthage) 29-1 won by fall over David Ekstam (Jackson) 36-9 (Fall 0:37)
285 Class 4
Brener Ocana (15-4) place is unknown and scored 1.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Mark Mcghee (Lee`s Summit North) 40-4 won by fall over Brener Ocana (Carthage) 15-4 (Fall 3:33)
Cons. Round 1 – Brener Ocana (Carthage) 15-4 won by decision over Liam Bryant (Jackson) 30-11 (Dec 3-1)
