11 from area begin state quest today

Eleven wrestlers from Jackson and Central high schools will hit the mat today in the first round of the state wrestling tournament at the Hearnes Center in Columbia.

Besides Jackson senior Cody Rouse, who is undefeated this season and a favorite in the 152-pound weight class, the group includes some candidates to reach the medal rounds. Rouse is the only one in the group who has earned all-state honors previously.

"When you get to the state tournament, it's like district, you're always going to have those kids that always do well, but you're always going to have upsets," Central coach Josh Crowell said.

Four wrestlers -- Rouse, Kamden Rampley and Andy Glass of Jackson and Central's Cory Huskey -- are making return trips to the state tournament. The seven first-timers include one senior, one junior, three sophomores and two freshmen.

Rampley, ranked second at 189 pounds in Class 4, should be among those with a shot at making it to the final day of wrestling on Saturday. Rampley, who made the state tournament last year as a sophomore, won his district bracket and has a record of 46-2.

"Kamden's really had an outstanding season," Jackson coach Steve Wachter said. "He's improved because he's worked hard over the summer and spring."

Central's Huskey, a senior, also won his district and should have a chance at earning all-state honors in Class 3 this season after making two previous trips to the state tournament.

"Cory's 39-3, and right now he's wrestling extremely well," Crowell said. "But, as always, when you get to the state tournament everyone's good."

Jackson's Andy Glass is the other returning state qualifier. Glass is currently 38-7 after finishing second at 215 pounds in the district tournament.

"Andy, if he wrestles well, he has a good chance to place," Wachter said.

Senior heavyweight Dustin Fluegge, brothers Josh and Jamie Schumacher and Justin Miller round out Jackson's seven state qualifiers. Fluegge is 36-13 and finished second at the district tournament. Josh Schumacher, a junior, finished second at 125 pounds at the district tournament and is 37-10. Jamie Schumacher (112) and Justin Miller (119), both freshman, each had a fourth-place finish at the district tournament. Jamie Schumacher enters the state tournament with a 32-12 record, while Miller is 37-14.

"Really, all of them throughout the tournament look to have a chance to win some matches," Wachter said.

Central will send a trio of sophomores along with Huskey to the state tournament. Matt Latham (119) finished second at the district tournament, and Tyler Yeargain (130) and Garrett New (145) each finished third.

Crowell said he is excited to see several young wrestlers get a chance to go to the state tournament and looks forward to them brining their experiences back with them.

"I've never had three qualifiers coming back," he said. "I've already told the kids that."

Opening round matchups

Class 3

119 -- Matt Latham (24-16), Central vs. Matt Groepel (34-15), Raymore-Peculiar

130 -- Tyler Yeargain (26-15), Central vs. Dan Ortega (32-10), Rolla

145 -- Garrett New (25-20), Central vs. Cord Barba (32-4), Waynesville

160 -- Cory Huskey (39-3), Central vs. Brandon Espinosa (7-15), Ladue Horton Watkins

Class 4

112 -- Jamie Schumacher (32-12), Jackson vs. Miles Bolin (34-5), Fort Zumwalt West

119 -- Justin Miller (37-14), Jackson vs. Zach Anderson-Boland (33-2), Rockhurst

125 -- Josh Schumacher (37-10), Jackson vs. Pat Mills (32-11), Hazelwood West

152 -- Cody Rouse (48-0), Jackson vs. Justin Jenkins (36-11), Winnetonka

189 -- Kamden Rampley (46-2), Jackson vs. Troy Parks (27-14), Liberty

215 -- Andy Glass (38-7), Jackson vs. Jeremiah Wright (31-8), Ritenour

HVY -- Dustin Fluegge (36-13), Jackson vs. Jacob Highfill (35-6), Glendale