DISTRICT BELL RINGS: CENTRAL, JACKSON WRESTLERS FACE TOUGH TASK

There's no question that most wrestlers bear a raw toughness, a proud mental state which disallows fear and doubt to penetrate their skulls.

They struggle to ignore their own pain and consider it an inconvenience rather than an obstacle. They only worry about their dripping blood when the official pauses the match.

And today, wrestlers will be tougher than they've been all season.

Class 4A District I competition begins this morning, with Jackson and Cape Central both competing at Mehlville High School in St. Louis. The 103-pound matches begin at 11.

Both Central and Jackson have enjoyed modest success this year, but to qualify for state, modest won't do. Most of the local wrestlers will need to boost their level to claim one of the top four spots in a district which includes wrestling powers such as Fox and Oakville. Other teams include Lindbergh, Poplar Bluff and House Springs Northwest.

"I think we've got the toughest district in the state for 4A," Central coach Drew Lilledahl said.

"It's an extremely tough district," Jackson coach Steve Wachter said. "If Oakville isn't the best team in the state, they're one of the top three. And there are eight solid teams."

To give an indication of how tough District 1 is, Jackson 135-pounder Lance Schlick, who finished sixth in state last year, hasn't lost in 28 matches this season and he's the No. 2 seed. He could face Oakville's No. 1 seed Jake Hopson in the district finals.

Thirteen of Oakville's 14 wrestlers are among the top four seeds. And 10 of them are in the top two.

Although Oakville and Fox are favored to field the most state qualifiers, Lilledahl said "Jackson, Lindbergh, and Northwest are in the same boat as us."

If the tournament plays out like the seedings predict, Central will boast eight state-bound wrestlers and Jackson will have six -- all of whom are in the top two seeds.

Jackson's Mark Wade (152) and Kyle Huck (130) are the only No. 1 seeds between the two area schools. Wade enters district action with a record of 23-8. Huck is 24-5.

Only one Tiger wrestler is seeded higher than third. Matt Strickland (21-8), Central's only returning state qualifier, is rooted in the No. 2 slot.

Keith Benton (112, 12-8), Kevin Allen (119, 15-8), O.J. Turner (171, 13-9) and heavyweight Craig Knoth (18-6) all received No. 3 seeds, while Hoss Hodges (103, 13-13), Josh Goodrich (140, 12-12) and Alex Elfrink (215) enter districts as fourth seeds.

"We don't have anyone stand out as a dominating figure," Lilledahl said. "But we've got a lot of guys who are solid and are on the bubble. Sometimes it's just a matter of who is better that day.

"When guys know this could be their last meet of the season, they come at you with everything but the kitchen sink. Sometimes you see things out of athletes you wouldn't see in the regular season. I've done my homework as far as scouting goes. I feel confident in the way we prepared as far as conditioning and being prepared mentally.

"I told them not to worry about the outcome. If you've done the preparation, the outcome takes care of itself."

For Jackson, Brett Stroud (112, 23-6), Adam Wachter (125, 21-6) and Kyle Watson (140, 21-7) are each No. 2 seeds. Watson and Stroud are both returning state qualifiers.

"We'll have to be on top of our game to get the kids through that we need to get through and to be at a respectable level of where we want to be," Steve Wachter said. "We have a very good (regular-season) schedule. I feel we've wrestled some of the best 3A and 4A teams in the state. If we're not mentally or physically prepared, I don't know why we wouldn't be.

"It's up to them now."