Jackson's Love 2nd in 4A state title chase

Southeast Missourian

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Jackson's James Love fell one win short in his bid to claim the 152-pound state title at the Class 4A state wrestling tournament, losing to undefeated Tom Doerr of Hazelwood Central in the championship match Saturday night.

Doerr, the state champion at 145 lbs. last year, picked up his 38th victory of the season by pinning Love at the 2:54 mark.

"I knew it was going to be a real tough one going in," Jackson coach Steve Wachter said. "Doerr has a lot of experience and is a very strong athlete."

Love, who placed third at the state meet last year in the 152-pound division, finished his senior season with a 29-4 record.

He reached the final by defeating T.C. Epperson of Fort Zumwalt in overtime Friday. Epperson owned a major decision over Love earlier in the season.

Love was among three all-state wrestlers for Jackson. Senior Ricky Feiner (39-9) placed fourth at 140 pounds while 112-pound sophomore Brock Howard (41-4) finished fifth.

In Saturday's consolation semifinal, Feiner pinned Adam Ham of Francis Howell Central in 4:14. Feiner then dropped an 8-4 decision to Ryan Feager of Fox in the consolation final.

Howard lost 4-2 to Jonathan Gerhold of Oak Park in a consolation semifinal, but bounced back in the fifth-place match, edging Roy Storts of Fort Zumwalt West 5-4.

Jackson tied for ninth as a team with 50 points. Blue Springs South won with 87.

Farmington had state champions in Dustin Wiles (160), Michael Hahn (171) and Jared Bonnell (HWT) and won the 3A title.

Ste. Genevieve, which had Adam Vogt (125) win a title, finished second in 3A.