WACHTER CAPTURES 4A STATE CROWN

COLUMBIA -- Jackson High School saw its eighth state champion coronated at the Missouri Class 4A State Wrestling Championships as Adam Wachter emerged as the king of the hill in the 140-pound division Saturday at the Hearnes Center.

Wachter, a senior, capped a perfect 4-0 state meet with a 9-3 victory over Travis Craig of Oak Park. The loss was just the second of the season for Craig (42-2) as Wachter finished his stellar season at 36-4.

"Success came to a good person because he's worked so hard to get there," said Jackson coach Steve Wachter, who is also Adam's cousin. "I'm very proud. I'm proud for anyone who does well on the team. But when you're related to the person, I'm especially proud."

After surviving a quarterfinal scare, Wachter had an easier time in his final two matches. In his quarterfinal match against Tim Yazawa of Hazelwood Central, Wachter needed a takedown with 25 seconds remaining to tie the match 3-3 and then rode out Yazawa to force overtime. He then recorded a takedown in overtime for a 5-3 victory.

He defeated Casey Sanders of Belton 8-3 in the semifinals before winning against Craig.

"We figured it would be real close," said Coach Wachter about the championship match. "The kid he beat in the semis split with (Craig) in districts and sectionals. We knew he had a chance. He wrestled an outstanding match."

Wachter took a 3-1 lead into the final period, where he began to pull away.

He became the first Jackson wrestler to win a state title since Travis Reiminger in 1997.

"It's so competitive here and you have to wrestle so perfect," said Coach Wachter.

Two other Indians also placed at the meet as 215-pounder Ray Goodson (35-5) finished fourth and 125-pounder Brett Stroud (37-5) took fifth. Both wrestlers had lost in Friday's semifinals.

On Saturday, Goodson won his third-round wrestleback with a 9-6 victory over Craig Busby (31-6) of Jefferson City. He then saw McCluer's Lee Weeden (44-5) avenge a quarterfinal pin with a 7-5 victory in the third-place match.

Stroud lost his third-round wrestleback match to Kyle Hopson of Oakville 5-3. He then picked up his second victory of the meet over Tony Gunsaulis (19-17) of Fort Osage, winning 14-5 in the fifth-place match.

As a team, Jackson, which qualified seven wrestler for the meet, placed ninth with 52.5 points. Oak Park won 4A with 141.5 points.

"We met all but one of our goals," said Coach Wachter. "We wanted a state champion, we wanted to place in the top 10 and we wanted four kids all-state, and we just barely missed that."

Farmington won the Class 3A crown with 139 points, edging out Jefferson City Helias (131.5). Ste. Genevieve finished fourth with 90.5 points.