215 AND 34-0: REIMINGER TAKES BIG NUMBERS TO STATE

JACKSON -- Jackson wrestler Travis Reiminger may have undergone an impressive growth spurt this past year that pushed him into a whole new realm of wrestling, but he didn't grow out of contention as far as a state title is concerned.

With an undefeated record and 32 pins to his credit in 34 matches this season, Reiminger, a senior, appears a strong contender, if not the front-runner, for the 4A state title in the 215-pound weight class when the state wrestling meet gets started today at the Hearnes Center in Columbia.

"I don't know if he's considered the favorite but I'd have to say he's a pretty high contender," said Jackson coach Steve Wachter.

Reiminger has rolled through his competition this season after qualifying for the state meet the past two years. According to Wachter, the closest anyone has come to challenging Reiminger's undefeated mark was a 9-2 decision the Indians' senior won against an Oakville wrestler in the semifinals of the sectional in St. Louis this past Saturday.

Last year as a junior, Reiminger posted a 21-4 mark wrestling at 171 pounds and placed fourth in the 3A state meet. Looking at the huge difference in Reiminger's weight from his junior to senior season's makes one wonder how he was able to pack on the extra 44 pounds and still remain competitive. Even his coach was amazed by his growth spurt over the past year.

"He lifted hard this past spring and summer and I think he ate real well because he sure did grow a lot," Wachter said with a laugh.

Reiminger said a lot of the credit for his extra pounds, which he packed on as muscle, should be attributed to Indians' assistant coach Brandon Norman.

"Coach Norman finally got me in the weight room," Reiminger said, laughing. "He pushed it and pushed it."

The extra weight, which turned into extra strength, made Reiminger that much better when he hit the mat this season.

"Travis has a lot of natural ability," Wachter said. "He has what we call in wrestling terms `outstanding hips.' He has very good hip movement, outstanding balance and this year he was able to add strength."

To go with his all-around wrestling skills, Reiminger is also an accomplished football player and golfer for the Indians.

"Not only is he a balanced wrestler but he's a balanced athlete," Wachter said noting Reiminger's skills on the gridiron and links. "He could probably play any of the three (in college) if he wanted to."

Reiminger said he wouldn't mind pursuing a golf career in college but realizes he has some unfinished business on the mat in Columbia. He said he doesn't feel any extra pressure going into the state meet for his final time; even with an undefeated record.

"I can't worry about that," Reiminger said. "I'll just have to go in and try to be relaxed. That's the way I've been all year.

"I just need to keep a positive attitude and try to not let anything distract me from being focused on my goal."

The goal, of course, is a state championship. If he reaches that goal, the rare distinction of an undefeated season will also be attained.

"We have a really tough schedule and its pretty hard for anyone to go undefeated," Wachter said, trying to put Reiminger's possible feat in perspective. "We care more about him winning the state championship than being undefeated.

"But at this point, to be the state champion, he'll have to remain undefeated."