NMCC sends five wrestlers to state

FESTUS, Mo. —New Madrid County Central flexed its muscles at the MSHSAA Class 1, District 1 Tournament, showcasing its depth by sending five wrestlers to the state meet.

Caleb Moore (31-2) and Gavin Colbert (17-5) led the charge, each dominating their way to district championships.

Moore put on a clinic in the 113-pound weight class. He opened with a lightning-fast 27-second pin over Cape Central's Aidrien Prasanphanich (8-19), followed by another pin over Valle Catholic's Easton Koetting (27-11) in 2:58. In the championship match, Moore capped his run with a decisive 3:15 pin over Priory's Cameron Nelson (12-5).

Colbert was equally impressive at 150. He pinned Notre Dame's Mark Schultz (9-22) in a mere 47 seconds, then pinned Gateway Science Academy's Xavier Sepulveda (21-11) in an even faster 21 seconds. The championship match wasn't much of a contest either, as Colbert pinned St. Francis Borgia's Adam Ashworth (29-17) in just 48 seconds.

Tharon Harper put in work at 120, earning a silver medal. Harper cruised through his opening match with a 15-3 major decision over Valle Catholic's Clayton Stewart (14-20), then followed with an 11-3 major decision over Priory's Jack Pecoraro (15-5). He fought valiantly in the championship match but ultimately fell to Maplewood-Richmond Heights' Saishaun Wilbourn (44-4) in a 9-0 major decision.

Connor Henderson secured a bronze medal at 175. He pinned Brentwood’s Phoenix Torno (13-7) in just 27 seconds. After a loss to St. Puis X’s Dawson Litterall (34-2) in the semifinals, Henderson regrouped with a 3:17 pin over Valle Catholic’s Tucker Bertrand and a close 6-5 decision over Lift for Life’s Damonte Holmes (14-12) to earn third place.

Jason Jones punched his ticket to state with a fourth-place finish at 190. After an opening 4:25 pin of Bishop DuBourg's Brendan Crowe (0-2), Jones faced a setback but never backed down. He earned back-to-back pins over Brentwood’s Joseph Hoeninger (3-16) and Gateway Science Academy’s Julian Thorpe (17-21), followed by an 11-3 major decision over Priory’s Buddy Essen (14-12). Though he would drop the third-place match to St. Mary’s Zion Burrage (27-9), Jones had done enough to qualify for the state tournament.

The MSHSAA Class 3 State Meet will take place on Feb. 21 and 22 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri.