Jackson wrestlers win third consecutive Tiger Classic

There are several ways to assess the dominance of the Jackson wrestling team.

Certainly running away with its third consecutive Tiger Classic title would make that list.

The Indians placed finalists in nine of 14 weight classes and claimed six individual champions in the two-day, 16-team meet that concluded Saturday evening at Central High School. Jackson finished with 405.5 points, far outdistancing second-place Jefferson City, which finished with 332 points.

"It makes you very proud as a coach," said Jackson head coach Steve Wachter, who called the tournament the biggest and best in the area. "As a coach and a program and a school, we've been able to put together some consistency over the last three years and do that."

The Indians are solid from the bottom to the top -- literally. Senior Jarrett Reisenbichler won his fourth straight Tiger Classic individual crown, defeating freshman Peter Kuster of Jefferson City at 113 pounds to remain unbeaten on the season at 13-0. And senior Preston Hobeck claimed his third straight Classic title at 285 pounds by pinning Jefferson City's Logan Coil in 2 minutes, 35 seconds.

They bookended four other Jackson champions, and Indian wrestlers placed in the top four in 13 of the 14 weight classes.

"Their program is in order from top to bottom," said Central coach James Brake, whose team hosted the tournament. "We're trying to build that up as well. ... I think every area program is trying to emulate that."

Reisenbichler was tenacious early in his championship match, scoring three takedowns in the first period on his way to an 11-3 win over Kuster.

"I always want to put points on the board," said Reisenbichler, who was named the tournament's Most Oustanding Wrestler after winning all six of his matches. "That's how you win big matches."

He's one of the few wrestlers to win four Tiger Classic titles, something Reisenbichler didn't really think about until the tournament neared.

"It's pretty cool to be a part of that," he admitted. "It's been awhile since anybody's done that -- if they had. It was one of my goals."

Junior Micah Collier turned in one of the meet's top performances, outlasting Tommy Bracket of Christian Brothers 2-1 in a four-overtime, sudden-victory thriller. Collier, starting in the up position during the fourth overtime, was able to ride Bracket for 30 seconds to earn the winning point.

If Bracket had escaped, Collier would have lost the match.

"I was kind of scared because he got away from me once," Collier said. "But I knew if I kept my composure and kept my moves I could pull it out."

At 152 pounds, senior Clayton Collier breezed to a 6-2 win over Jefferson City's Zach Hurley. He takes pride in setting an example for the program's younger wrestlers.

"A big thing for freshmen coming into the tournament, and sophomores or even juniors, is the mental aspect of coming in and not being afraid. Wrestling not to lose rather than wrestling to win. That was my biggest issue, and that's what I try to get across, that they're good enough to be here."

Junior Carson McCord picked up the win at 170 pounds, defeating CBC's Dallas Broughton 2-1 with a late-match reversal, which he attributed to his coaching and training.

"We've been drilling all of our stuff thousands of times," he said. "It's just become instinct. As soon as you feel something, you go until you get it."

Senior Josh Stone rolled to a 6-4 win over Brandon Mayberry of Park Hills Central at 182, and Jameson McCullough nearly pulled off a late-match upset of Sikeston's Michael Garner in the 220-pound title tilt. McCullough, who trailed throughout the match, nearly had Garner pinned following a late reversal before the clock ran out on the match.

"That shows he never gave up in his match, which is the confidence that we're trying to build up in the program," Wachter said.

Hobeck was able to pin Coil, a fellow state qualifier from a year ago, midway through the second period, which he admitted took him by surprise.

"He was really tough, and I didn't think I'd be able to get it that soon," Hobeck said. "I remember coming here and a young kid and watching my older brother. I think he's won two (Classic titles)."

Although Central didn't place any wrestlers in the finals -- the Tigers placed 15th overall with 88.5 points -- Brake said the experience will benefit his young squad.

"It is a good tournament," Brake said. "We had really competitive teams here -- Jeff City, Jackson, Northwest, and Sikeston's really coming along with their program. For our younger guys, it's really just about getting that mat time. We've got the right kids, I believe. It's just a matter of them getting enough time on the mat so that they can learn the feel for the sport, get their reps in. We're improving week to week, and this is just another one of the stepping stones for us right now."

Team scores -- 1. Jackson 405, 2. Jefferson City 332, 3. Northwest House Springs 269.5, 4. Sikeston 227, 5. Rolla 205.5, 6. Christian Brothers 188.5, 7. Union 149, 8. Jackson JV 147.5, 9. Mehlville 140.5, 10. Francis Howell North 134.5, 11. Park Hills Central 112.5, 12. Christian County 107.5, 13. New Madrid CC 100.5, 14. University City, 15. Central 88.5, 16. Central JV 18.

Championship results

106 -- Coleman Brainard R pinned Gus Williams J, 4:43.

113 -- Jarrett Reisenbichler J dec. Peter Kuster JC 11-3.

120 -- Tyler Stegall NW dec. Javeon Bonner S 9-0.

126 -- Corbin Howard JC dec. Jake Byrd J 4-1.

132 -- Christian Mayberry JC def. Tristan Barr R 6-3.

138 -- Sam Ritchie FHN dec. Ben Stahlman NW 2-1.

145 -- Micah Collier J def. Tommy Brackett CB 2-1.

152 -- Clayton Collier J dec. Zach Hurley JC 6-2.

160 -- Logan Moriarity JC pinned Zach Norrick J, 1:54.

170 -- Carson McCord J dec. Dallas Broughton CB 2-1.

182 -- Josh Stone J dec. Brandon Mayberry PHC 6-4.

195 -- Jalen Martin JC dec. Jimmy Wheeler MW 7-1.

220 -- Mitchell Garner S dec. Jameson McCullough J 10-8.

285 -- Preston Hobeck J pinned Logan Coil JC 2:35.