STATE MEET JUST ANOTHER TOUGH TEST FOR SEVEN LOCAL WRESTLERS

Considering the rugged competition they've faced the past two weeks, the seven local high school wrestlers that qualified for the upcoming Class 4A state championships might find it hard to believe the competition can get much tougher.

Jackson qualified six wrestlers and Cape Central one for the state tournament which starts tonight and ends Saturday at the Hearnes Center in Columbia.

Competing for the Indians will be: freshman Brett Stroud, 103 pounds; senior Eric Rhodes, 119; junior Lance Schlick, 125; junior Kyle Watson, 130; junior Dustin Baker, 171 and senior Kent Langston, 189.

Central junior Matt Strickland will also compete at 189 pounds.

The seven local grapplers who qualified emerged from arguably the toughest 4A district in the state. Of the 56 state qualifiers who emerged from Sectional 1, 40 are coming from District 1, which includes Jackson and Cape Central.

"It's going to be a really tough state tournament," said Jackson coach Steve Wachter. "But we had one of the toughest districts and sectionals in the state so that should help prepare us."

Starting with the district tournament hosted by Jackson, the Indians and Tigers have had to deal with the overwhelming favorite to win the 4A team title -- Oakville. Coming off a third-place finish last year, Oakville qualified a wrestler in each of the 14 individual weight classes for the state tourney.

"They're all going," said Wachter with a laugh. "Oakville had 12 wrestlers in (last week's) sectional finals. They have a really good shot of winning the championship."

With six wrestlers at state, Jackson also has an opportunity to make some noise. Three Indians -- Schlick, Langston and Watson -- return with state experience. Schlick is a two-time state medalist, while Langston and Watson have both qualified before.

Despite placing third last year and sixth the year before at 103 pounds, Schlick is now wrestling at a much more competitive weight class. He enters state with a 31-6 record after placing fourth in districts and third at sectionals.

"Lance has got the toughest weight class in the state," said Wachter of the 125-pound class. "In most years you look at Lance as an all-stater, but if he gets in and places it will be a great feat. His weight class is so loaded."

The top six finishers in each weight class earn all-state medals.

Langston, who didn't medal last year wrestling at 171 pounds, is looking for better results at the state meet this time around. Langston (25-6) took second at districts and third in sectionals, pushing undefeated Kirkwood wrestler Lucas Hoffman in a semifinal match before falling 13-12.

"Kent's had an outstanding season," Wachter said. "He's been wrestling a lot better the last few weeks."

After missing state last year, Watson (24-8) rebounded this season for a return trip to Columbia. Watson placed third in districts and fourth at sectionals.

"Kyle placed fourth in a real tough weight class," Wachter said. "He beat two people at sectionals that beat him earlier in the season so it was a big tournament for him."

Stroud and Baker were the only Jackson wrestlers to compete in a sectional final last week. Both lost their respective final matches. Stroud (31-3) also finished second in the district meet.

"Brett's won five tournaments this year," Wachter said. "He's done an outstanding job for a freshman. I couldn't ask any more from him.

Baker (16-14) placed third at districts and had some good fortune at the sectional tourney, gaining a win in overtime and a victory at the buzzer to advance into the state meet.

"Dustin put together his best tournament of the year," said Wachter. "He's really come on at the end of the season."

Rhodes will be wrapping up a solid career at Jackson with his first appearance at the state championships. Rhodes (23-10) took second at districts and third in sectionals.

"Eric's been very consistent for us this year," said Wachter. "He's been a good wrestler throughout his career."

Central's only representative will be Strickland, coming off third-place district and fourth-place sectional finishes.

"Matt had an injury that set him back in the middle of the season, but he's been working hard the last few weeks," said Central coach Drew Lilledahl. "I'm looking for him to be aggressive and we'll see what happens."