Hickman takes second place, four local wrestlers crowned MSHSAA champions

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Hickman High School has made history at the MSHSAA Wrestling Championships.

The Kewpies earned their best finish at the state tournament in 89 years, capturing a second place trophy and crowning two state title winners. Hickman ended with 157.0 points and nine state medalists, trailing only Liberty who posted 187.0 points.

Hank Benter became the 44th four-time state champion in MSHSAA history, pinning Staley's Zayne Reynolds in just over two minutes in the 126-pound state title bout. The Mizzou signee joins J'den Cox as the only Hickman athletes to win four straight state championships.

Luke Hayden joined Benter on top of the winner's podium, defending last season's state title with a win by fall in 1:27 over Park Hill's Sammy Mormino in the 165-pound championship match. With Saturday's win, Hayden became a two-time state champion as a sophomore.

Rock Bridge's Jacinda Espinosa also rewrote her school's history books during her two-day MSHSAA state tournament run. Espinosa is the first-ever Rock Bridge student-athlete to win a MSHSAA Girls Wrestling Championship, courtesy of a 17-6 win by major decision in the 135-pound bout. She posted four takedowns and a three-point near-fall against Parkway Central's Erin Delling.

Finally, Camdenton's Abigail Fuglsang ended her senior season as a first-time state champion, following second place finishes in her last two MSHSAA championship runs. Fuglsang pinned Jackson's Kayleigh Milam in less than one minute to win the 110-pound state title bout.