JACKSON, CENTRAL SEND 11 TO STATE

Jackson wrestling coach Steve Wachter knows better than to try to make predictions about the state tournament.

But with eight qualifiers -- six of them with more than 30 wins and five of them with six or fewer losses -- Wachter wouldn't rule out a top-four finish.

But he also wouldn't rule out a finish as low as 10th.

"You just never know what will happen," Wachter said. "We're a young team overall; we've got two freshmen and a lot of pressure has been put on them."

The tournament will begin today at the Hearnes Center in Columbia, Mo., and will end on Saturday.

Jackson's Ray Goodson (215 pounds, 38-0) and Brett Stroud (130, 34-3) appear to have the best shots at a state title. Goodson was fourth in the state last year while Stroud placed fifth.

Goodson needs just one more win to establish a school record for most wins in a season, a record currently held by Travis Reiminger, who went 38-0 in 1997.

Brock Howard, a freshman, boasts an impressive 34-3 record at 103 pounds, but Jackson hasn't had a freshman place since Lance Schlick finished sixth in 1996. Schlick is the Indians' only four-time all-stater.

Howard and classmate Michael Wright (119, 31-6) are hoping to reverse that trend.

"Some programs have freshmen win state regularly," said Wachter. "But it's been a rarity to have an all-state freshman here at Jackson."

Jackson will also be hoping for high finishes from Ricky Feiner (135, 32-6), (James Love (152, 29-9), Mark Wade (171, 30-8) and Luke Wade (HWT, 25-13).

And then there were three

The Tigers, after having no state qualifiers a year ago, will have three in Columbia today -- O.J. Turner (189, 30-6), Leland Woelk (145, 31-4) and Nick Harter (171, 21-11).

Woelk and Turner, especially, could make some noise in the state bracket.

Woelk has won every tournament he's been in except the Tiger Classic. And three of his four losses came to competition from out of state or from another class. His other loss has since been avenged.

Turner is in much the same situation.

"He lost to a couple of 3A guys, one loss was to the 3A state champ," Central coach Josh Crowell said. "And there's a couple more guys he won't come across again. So it's looking very good for both those guys. They both have real good shots at doing well in the tournament."

Crowell hasn't given up on Harter's chances, either, though he'll have a tough road in the 171-pound class, one of the toughest in the state.

"Quite honestly, Nick Harter has surprised me all season," Crowell said. "I wouldn't count him out of any match. He's a guy who won't give up. He'll stay in it and if an opportunity arises, he'll take it."