SEMO MEET PREPARES JHS, CHS FOR TONIGHT'S DUAL MEET

Both Jackson and Cape Girardeau Central tuned up for tonight's big dual match between the local rivals by participating in Saturday's SEMO Conference Wrestling Championships at Poplar Bluff High School.

As expected, Farmington and Ste. Genevieve waged a spirited battle for the title in the 11-team meet. Farmington wound up on top with 266 points while Ste. Genevieve had 252 points.

"Farmington and Ste. Genevieve were just outstanding," said Jackson coach Steve Wachter. "I'm not sure they're not the top two teams in the (Class 3A) state tournament this year."

Jackson was a solid third with 187 points while Cape Central placed a strong fourth with 130.5.

Rounding out the field were Dexter (72), Poplar Bluff (70), Sikeston (52.5), Potosi (46), North County (33), Park Hills (21) and New Madrid (13).

Jackson had two individual champions: undefeated Lance Schlick at 135 pounds and Kyle Watson at 140.

Placing second for the Indians were Ricky Feiner (103), Brett Stroud (112), Adam Wachter (125) and Cyle Huck (130).

Third were James Love (145), Mark Wade (152) and Pee Wee Bartels (160) while Chris Brown (119) placed fourth.

"I thought we wrestled probably about as well as we could," said Wachter. "We really wrestled hard."

Cape Central had no individual champions, but two wrestlers placed second: Matt Strickland (189) and Craig Knoth (heavyweight).

Finishing third for the Tigers were Kevin Allen (119), Josh Goodrich (140), O.J. Turner (171) and Alex Elfrink (215). Placing fourth were Hoss Hodges (103) and Greg Chenowith (130).

Also Saturday, during a junior varsity tournament at Mehlville in St. Louis, Jackson won its five-team division.

The JV Indians had two champions: Kiel Johnson (125) and Gabe Koehler (171). Placing second were Josh Deneke (135) and Seth Horrell (160). Third were Drew Howard (130), Josh Lange (140) and Luke Wade (heavyweight) while fourth were J.P. Sides (103) and Justin Rice (145).

Now both Jackson and Cape Central can look forward to tonight's dual match that will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Jackson. That will be the varsity contest, with the teams later to wrestle some JV matches if time permits.

Both Jackson and Central will also later take on other foes tonight, with the Indians battling Ste. Genevieve and the Tigers facing Sikeston in makeup meets.

Even though the Indians have not lost to the Tigers for as long as anybody can remember, Wachter said it won't be easy for his team to continue its domination in the series.

"(Central) Coach (Drew) Lilledahl and I have talked about it and we both agree. We might have a little edge in tournaments, but in a dual, they might have a little edge," said Wachter. "Their program has really improved and it should be a great match."

Said Lilledahl, "Jackson has had a great program over the years and we're trying to get ours to that level. We've made some real improvements and we're looking forward to the match."