Jackson wins seven titles but not Tiger Classic

Jackson had a historic performance at the Tiger Classic.

Yet the Indians didn't even win the team title in the area's premier high school wrestling tournament that concluded Saturday night at Central Junior High.

The Indians claimed a school-record -- and possibly a tournament record -- seven individual championships.

But the superior depth of Christian Brothers from Memphis, Tenn., bested the Indians' title-round dominance.

CBC captured the crown in the 37th annual event with 342.5 points despite having just one individual champion. Jackson was second with 330 points.

Levi Hobeck of Jackson, top, controls Mick Anthony of Christian Brothers in the 145 pound final Saturday during the Tiger Classic. Hobeck won a 5-3 decision. (Laura Simon)

"They had all 14 place in the top six and we had 12 place in the top six," Jackson coach Steve Wachter said. "And sometimes bonus points [for pins] come into play.

"But I'm really proud of the way we wrestled. I can't be disappointed with seven champions and eight in the finals."

Wachter is in his 17th season as Jackson's coach after serving 12 years as an assistant.

"Maybe four is the most champions we've ever had. Never even close to seven," said Wachter, whose squad was also second last season and has finished in the top four all but one year since 1990. "We had a great finals."

Said senior Michael Riney, among the Indians' champions: "I thought we wrestled really well. You can't be disappointed when half the kids on the team win it."

Kodi Byrd of Jackson, right, captures the title in the 103 pound weight class against Justin Nahlik of Northwest House Springs Saturday, December 18, 2010 during the 37th Tiger Classic at the Central Junior High. (Laura Simon)

Added senior Levi Hobeck, who captured his second straight Tiger Classic championship: "It's kind of disappointing not to win it [the team title]. But to have seven [champions] is really nice."

Hobeck posted a 5-3 decision in the 145-pound final.

"It was one of my goals," Hobeck said of back-to-back Tiger Classic crowns.

Although they weren't consecutive, 112-pound senior Levi Rayburn and 119-pound senior Jordan Reisenbichler both won their second Tiger Classic titles after also prevailing in 2008.

Rayburn posted a 13-5 major decision.

"It's pretty nice," said Rayburn, fifth in last year's state meet.

Reisenbichler prevailed 4-2 in overtime, recording a takedown with just five seconds left in the sudden-death period.

"I was kind of disappointed last year I didn't win it," said Reisenbichler, fourth in the state a year ago. "It's nice to win it this year."

Sophomore 103-pounder Kodi Byrd got the Indians' championship round off and running with a 3-0 decision.

After Rayburn, Reisenbichler and Hobeck captured their titles, 152-pound senior Blake Hooe prevailed 8-2.

"I am really excited," Hooe said. "And for our team. ... we didn't win it, but we all wrestled really well."

Ryan Marble, a 171-pound senior, posted a 5-2 victory for Jackson's sixth title.

"I was ecstatic with how we wrestled," said Marble, a fourth-place state finisher last season. "It shows what hard work will do."

Riney won the final title for the Indians with a pin in 3 minutes, 47 seconds at 189 pounds.

"I was real excited," Riney said. "This is kind of like our only home tournament, being so close."

Jackson's only casualty in the finals was 160-pound junior Cody Morgan, who settled for second place after a 12-7 loss.

Byrd, Rayburn, Reisenbichler, Hobeck, Marble and Riney all improved their records to 17-0 for a squad that was sixth in the most recent Class 4 state rankings by MissouriWrestling.com.

Also placing for the Indians were 130-pounder Tyler Rush (third), heavyweight Lucas Slinkard (fifth), 125-pounder Colton Cook (sixth) and 135-pounder Clay Miller (sixth).

Host Central had a solid showing, finishing eighth with 104 points.

The Tigers had one wrestler reach the finals, 215-pound senior Kevin Flesher placing second after being pinned in 4:55. He has a 15-3 record.

Also for Central, 140-pounder Austin Martin and 145-pounder Jawaun Howard were both fourth.

Tiger Classic

Team -- 1. Memphis CBC 342.5; 2. Jackson 330; 3. Northwest 259; 4. Ste. Genevieve 218; 5. Francis Howell North 191.5; 6. Rolla 133; 7. Sikeston 119.5; 8. Cape Central 104; 9. Hopkinsville University Heights 97.5; 10. Dexer 95; 11. Springfield Parkview 84; 12. University City 73; 13. Mehlville 70.5; 14. De Soto 64

Championship matches

103 -- Kodi Byrd (Jackson) dec. Justin Nahlik (Northwest) 3-0

112 -- Levi Rayburn (Jackson) maj. dec. Blake Angle (Sikeston) 13-5

119 -- Jordan Reisenbichler (Jackson) dec. Tate Robinson (CBC) 4-2 OT

125 -- Travis Jones (Ste. Genevieve) dec. Wade Willen (University Heights) 10-4

130 -- Robert Martin (Northwest) fall Matt Johnson (CBC) 1:46

135 -- Jesse Conaway (Rolla) dec. Jason Shell (Francis Howell North) 7-5

140 -- Kaleb Baker (CBC) fall Harold Ritchie (Francis Howell North) 1:15

145 -- Levi Hobeck (Jackson) dec. Mick Anthony (CBC) 5-3

152 -- Blake Hooe (Jackson) dec. Daniel Urban (University Heights) 8-2

160 -- Zach King (Northwest) dec. Cody Morgan (Jackson) 12-7

171 -- Ryan Marble (Jackson) dec. Natt Rupiper (CBC) 5-2

189 -- Michael Riney (Jackson) fall Clint Boehle (Francis Howell North) 3:47

215 -- Nic Wittu (Ste. Genevieve) fall Kevin Flesher (Cape Central) 4:55

HWT -- Nick Tuffs (Northwest) dec. Lou Posey (CBC) 8-3