Southeast Missourian Athlete of the Week: Jackson's Clay Darnell

Jackson senior Clay Darnell finished off his high school wrestling career with a five-match winning streak that earned him third place in the Class 4 220-pound division at the Missouri Wrestling Championships.

Darnell's second and final chance to earn all-state distinction did not start well. He lost his first-round match at the state tournament and was relegated to the wrestleback bracket, which eventually included 14 of the 16 wrestlers in the field.

Darnell opened the wrestlebacks with a win by decision, then pinned his next two opponents to assure at least a top-six, all-state finish. He then needed a dramatic two-point takedown as time expired to avoid defeat and reach the third-place final, where he pinned Francis Howell Central's Cale Gossett.

Darnell finished the season with a 35-5 record.