JACKSON WRESTLERS FIND A 4A GIANT IN DISTRICT

The Oakville Tigers look like the overwhelming favorite to win the Class 4A, District 1 wrestling title today being held in the Jackson High School Gymnasium.

Oakville, the top-ranked team in the state, brings a solid squad that qualified 11 wrestlers to last year's 4A sectional and eventually finished third in the state.

"Oakville has a kid seeded in every weight class and twelve seeded in the top two," said Jackson coach Steve Wachter. "They have a great program. They beat the No. 6 team in the country (Mater Dei of Indiana)."

Five-time defending district champion Fox, the host Indians and Lindbergh should provide Oakville the most competition out of the eight-team field. Other schools competing are: Cape Central, Poplar Bluff, Mehlville and Northwest of House Springs.

"This is a very competitive district," said Wachter. "Fox is also a very good team and always consistent."

The Indians have already faced Oakville and Fox in different tournaments earlier this season. Both times the two St. Louis-area schools showed why they are considered two of the top programs in the state.

"We matched up like everyone else has," Wachter said with a laugh. "They handled us pretty well. The effort was there, they just out-wrestled us."

Jackson has nine wrestlers seeded in the top four of the 14 individual weight classes. The top four finishers in each weight class qualify for the 4A sectional at Oakville next weekend.

Kent Langston, a returning state qualifier from last year, is the only Indian wrestler with a No. 1 seed. Langston is the top seed at 189 pounds. Lance Schlick, coming off a third-place state finish last year, is the second seed at 125 pounds.

"I'd like to think we could get eight or nine (wrestlers) through to sectionals," Wachter said. "We'll just try to put our best foot forward."

Action begins at 11 a.m., with the finals starting around 6 p.m. Admission is $4.

District Wrestling

Class 4A, District 1

Jackson Gymnasium

Action begins: 11 a.m.

Finals: 6 p.m.

Admission $4

Schools Competing:

Jackson

Cape Central

Poplar Bluff

Oakville

Fox

Lindbergh

Mehlville

Northwest (House Springs)