Jackson wrestling wins Farmington Scramble

The Jackson wrestling team took first place in the Farmington scramble on Saturday, Dec. 9, in Farmington, Mo.

The Indians scored 349 points in the six-team tournament, edging the hosting Knights (335.5) by 13.5 points. With a small number of participating teams, the tournament format had each wrestler face each other in a round-robin style.

“It's always nice to win a championship,” Jackson head coach Steve Wachter said. “That means a lot to me, to get a chance to wrestle some real good individuals.

Five Indians took first place in their respective weight classes. Three of them are in weight classes 140 pounds or below. Last year the strength of the Indians came from the heavier weights but this time, success is coming from both ends.

“I'd say right now we're kind of a balanced team,” Wachter said. “We're looking to improve at all levels in the lightweights middle and top. I'd say our light and uppers might be a little stronger than our middle right now but I think right now, I'm pretty happy with how balanced we are as a team.”

The Wessell brothers anchor the heavier end of the Indians lineup for the first time after waiting for the graduations of Griffin Horman and Tyler Beyatte. Hayden finished second in the 191-pound weight class and Brysen won the 215-pound class, as both brothers have a combined record of 20-3.

"They've been outstanding not only as athletes, but they're really good young men," Wachter said. "When I talk about our young kids' attitude, those two guys' attitudes are tremendous and their work ethic is great. Just great young men, it's always good to have outstanding wrestlers, but it's even better to have great young men."

Brysen Wessell, Kade King, and Matthew May have 10 wins or more this early through the season. The Indians were a senior-laden team last year but the chemistry of this crew looks just as good if not better.

"I think we're getting a little bit tighter, and a little bit better," Wachter said. "As time goes on, I think we're getting better as far as that team chemistry goes."

Jackson hosts the Missouri/Illinois Challenge with Dexter on Wednesday. On Saturday, the Indians will send the varsity team to the Lee's Summit Tournament and the JV squad to the Tiger Classic, hosted by Cape Central. Wachter said he wants the varsity squad to experience the competition from the Kansas City area school, while also expecting the JV wrestlers to hold their own against other varsity wrestlers.

__Around the Mat__

Cape Central's Valdi Zalite (6-3) took first place in the 138-pound weight class in the Longhorn Invitational at Parkway South High School on Saturday, Dec. 9. Zalite won all four of his matches by fall. Jackie Zhang (8-4) and Davarious Nunley (3-1) placed 2nd in their respective brackets.

Norte Dame participated in the same tournament. Parker Lemmons (6-4) led the Bulldogs by winning the 5th-place match by major decision.

Cape Central will host the Tiger Classic on Dec. 15-16.

Notre Dame will travel to take part in the Brentwood Tournament on Dec. 16