AREA WRESTLERS PLACE AT STATE

COLUMBIA -- Both Jackson's Lance Schlick and Cape Central's Matt Strickland lost wrestling rematches on Saturday at the Missouri Class 4A Championships, but it did little to diminish medal-winning performances.

Schlick placed second in the 135-pound division, losing to nemesis Jake Hopson of Oakville 15-9 for the third time in two weeks. Schlick finished the season 35-3, with all three losses to Hopson (42-1).

Schlick, a senior, was making his fourth state appearance. Schlick's teammate Cyle Huck placed fifth in 130, defeating Damon Mellinger (9-5) of Oakville 5-2. Huck lost to Johnnie Blake of Grandview 9-3 earlier Saturday in the third round of wrestlebacks.

Strickland lost his opening match Thursday in 4A's 189-lb. division to Winnetonka's Dasch Disharoon, but made the most of his wrestleback opportunity. Strickland won two matches to reach the third-place match on Saturday, again losing to Disharoon (34-10) in an 11-6 decision. Strickland finished his senior season with a 26-11 record.

"I don't know when the last time we had somebody finish fourth, but it's been a long time," said Central coach Drew Lilledahl.

Along the wrestleback trail, Strickland defeated Casey Vokelek of Oak Park, who took a 40-1 record to the state meet. On Saturday, Strickland defeated Josh Ziegler (25-15) of Rock Bridge 7-3 to set up the rematch with Disharoon.

"(Disharoon) was just a tough kid," said Lilledahl. "Matt did a heck of a job beating Vokelek and the Rock Bridge kid."

Strickland was thrilled to find himself wrestling for third.

"I pretty much just wanted to place in the top six," said Strickland. "When I got up there and saw the bracket I knew it would be very hard to do."

Strickland said he wrestled Disharoon much tougher the second time. He lost 12-4 the first time, but trailed by just a point entering the third period on Saturday.

In team standings, Blue Springs won the state title with 148 points. Jackson placed 20th with 28 points and Cape Central 35th with 12.