Pacific wrestling crowned one individual champion and placed fifth in the final standings last Saturday at the Route 141 Rumble at Rockwood Summit High School.
Washington claimed the team title for the second straight year. Hazelwood East finished second. Ozark was third.
“Overall, I was happy with our performance. Fifth place out of 13 teams with 11 kids isn’t too bad,” said Pacific Head Coach Rob Schimsa. “I think we need to be more aggressive and get a nastier streak. Sometimes we’re too nice.”
Pacific freshman Josh Franek claimed the 106-pound title. He won by decision over Ozark’s Gavin DeWitt in the finals, 8-3.
“All four kids Josh beat in the tournament were pretty solid. He had three major decisions and one decision,” Schimsa said. “Josh had a very good day. He’s a freshman who continues to get better.”
Austin Repp reached the 170-pound finals, but lost to Ozark’s John Oss to settle for second-place honors. Oss has over 150 career victories.
“Austin ran into a very good kid from Ozark who is undefeated this season,” Schimsa said. “Austin won a close match in the semifinals 4-2 over (Kyle) Summers from Washington. He won the rest of his matches by pin.”
Zain Mathena took third place at 113 pounds.
“Zain is a freshman with a lot of upside,” Schimsa said. “He’s doing very well. He has a lot to learn, but is getting better.”
Joe Rind finished third at 120 pounds.
“Joe lost a pool match to a kid from Hazelwood East who he came back to beat in the third-place match, 12-5,” Schimsa said. “Joe is solid. He’s lost to some very good kids this season and has beaten the kids he should beat. He just needs to find a way to get to the next level.”
Dalton Voyles placed third at 152 pounds.
“Dalton just recently moved down to 152 from 160 and will stay there,” Schimsa said. “He looked good. He wrestled a good third-place match.”
Jeff Miller finished fourth at 138 pounds.
“Jeff had some tough competition, losing to (Washington) Cole Hamai in the semifinals and a solid kid from Ozark in the third-place match, 4-1” Schimsa said. “Jeff wrestled well and is having a good season.”
Andrew Cooper finished sixth at 182 pounds. Joon Kim was seventh at 145 pounds. Logan Wells (160) and Jarrett Harrison (195) both placed eighth. Lane Smith (132) did not place.
Pacific was open at 126, 220 and 285.
