A BRIDGE TOO SHORT; TIGERS CLOSE GAP ON INDIANS, BUT STILL FALL

JACKSON -- There has long been a substantial disparity between the rival wrestling programs of Jackson and Cape Girardeau Central high schools. The latter has not defeated the former in a dual meet since the 1960s.

Central has yet to completely bridge the gap but, under the guidance of third-year coach Drew Lilledahl and assistant Josh Crowell, the Tigers this season have made indisputable inroads.

Before a sizable, clamorous gathering and a charged atmosphere rarely seen at wrestling meets in southeast Missouri, Jackson parlayed its dominance in the light and middle weights to a 38-31 victory over Central Tuesday at the old gymnasium in Jackson.

A group of Central students, some of whom remained standing the entire meet, came slathered in orange and black paint and supported the Tigers in raucous fashion. The Jackson contingent was more restrained, but also ample.

"I thought tonight's atmosphere was excellent for southeast Missouri wrestling," Lilledahl said. "I think that's the biggest crowd Central wrestling has ever had."

The Tigers partisans had plenty to cheer about early in the meet as Central took two of the opening three matches.

At 103 pounds, Central's Hoss Hodges controlled Ricky Feiner for a 6-1 win before Jackson's Brett Stroud pinned Keith Benton at 112. The Tigers' Kevin Allen at 119 then turned aside Chris Brown by major decision.

But in the seven weight classes between 125 and 160, Jackson won six matches and grabbed a unconquerable bulge after the 160 match.

Central's strength lies in the upper weights, which the Tigers controlled. After Jamell Austin dropped a 9-7 decision to Jackson's Pee Wee Bartels at 160, the Tigers won the final four matches.

At 171 O.J. Turner outlasted Brad Biri 11-9. Matt Strickland and Alex Elfrink then won by pin in the 189 and 215 classes, respectively, before heavyweight Craig Knoth received a forfeit victory.

Jackson coach Steve Wachter left the meet -- which was held alongside a meet pitting Ste. Genevieve and Sikeston and was followed by meets pitting Jackson against Ste. Genevieve and Central against Sikeston -- with confirmation of his hunch.

"It was no surprise; I knew Cape was very good," Wachter said. "The gap's closed a lot, not only with Central but also with Ste. Genevieve and Farmington. There are a lot of kids in the area that are doing a lot more wrestling.

"I think our program is pretty steady and it's been pretty good, but some other programs have caught up."

Lilledahl said in the past four years Central's program has "come a long way."

"I think Cape Central wrestling is definitely on the map to stay, and we're going to be coming at them (Jackson) again next year.

"If we wrestled the dual meet over, it might come out a different story. But until we beat them, everybody's going to consider Jackson the powerhouse in southeast Missouri wrestling."

Results

Jackson 38, Cape Central 31

103 -- Hoss Hodges (CC) def. Ricky Feiner, 6-1

112 -- Brett Stroud (J) pinned Keith Benton, 3:45

119 -- Kevin Allen (CC) def. Chris Brown, 21-11

125 -- Adam Wachter (J) pinned Darren Harris, 2:19

130 -- Cyle Huck (J) pinned Greg Chenoweth, 3:14

135 -- Lance Schlick (J) won by forfeit

140 -- Kyle Watson (J) def. Leland Woelk, 28-12

145 -- Josh Goodrich (CC) defeated James Love, 10-6

152 -- Mark Wade (J) pinned Nick Harter, 3:55

160 -- Pee Wee Bartels (J) def. Jamell Austin, 9-7

171 -- O.J. Turner (CC) def. Brad Biri, 11-9

189 -- Matt Strickland (CC) pinned Andy Herndon, 3:29

215 -- Alex Elfrink (CC) pinned Spencer Hobeck, 3:23

HWT -- Craig Knoth (CC) won by forfeit