LOCAL WRESTLERS REMAIN ALIVE AT STATE MEET

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Jackson advanced all eight of its state qualifiers through to the second day of wrestling at the state meet at the Hearnes Center.

Six of them won their first matches Thursday night while two lost, but recovered in the first round of wrestlebacks. Jackson was in fifth place with 20 points, two points out of fourth and five points out of first.

Ray Goodson (215 pounds), who took fourth last year, remained undefeated and set a new school record with 39 wins as he pinned Rolla's James Gapsch in 3:46.

Brett Stroud (130), who could contend for the title after taking fifth last year, barely got past his first-round opponent, knocking off Columbia-Rock Bridge's Mike Ramos 5-4.

Also defeating their first-round opponents were Brock Howard (103), Mike Wright (119), Ricky Feiner (135) and James Love (152).

Mark Wade, at 171, fell in the first round 10-8, but pulled out a 9-8 win in wrestlebacks. Heavyweight Luke Wade was pinned in the first round, but pinned his next opponent in 2:47.

Central gets three through

All three of Cape Central's wrestlers will take the mat again today after winning at least one match Thursday night in the opening day of the state wrestling tournament at the Hearnes Center.

Leland Woelk (145 pounds) and O.J. Turner (189) both won their opening matches in convincing fashion. Woelk won by a 15-0 major decision over Matt Hina of Columbia-Rock Bridge and Turner pinned Hazelwood Central's John Knoll in 3:07.

Central's Nick Harter (171) lost his first match to Jared Opp of Blue Springs South, but won in the first round of wrestlebacks, 9-8, over Jeremy Brown from Rolla.

"We had a real good first round," Cape Central coach Josh Crowell said. "Things are looking good. We'll be pumped and ready to go (today)."