Hickman finishes fourth at state tournament, four local wrestlers win state titles

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

For the first time in more than 80 years, Hickman Wrestling has earned a team trophy at the MSHSAA State Championships. The Kewpies ended the tournament with a fourth place finish and two state champions. Helias and Rolla also each had a wrestler win a state title.

Mizzou Wrestling commit Hank Benter was the first local state champion crowned in Saturday's championship round. In the Class 4 Boys' 113-pound state title bout, Benter pinned his opponent in 3:05 to become a three-time state champion as a junior. He finished the season with a perfect 47-0 record.

Benter's teammate Luke Hayden closed out his freshman season with a state championship victory. Hayden posted a three-point near fall in the second period and proceeded to shut out his opponent, winning the Class 4 Boys' 165-pound state title bout 3-0 by decision.

Helias Wrestling's Logan Montoya defended his state title from last season by becoming a back-to-back state champion this year. Montoya won all four of his state tournament bouts by fall, including a pin in 5:04 in the Class 3 Boys' 190-pound state title match. He ended his senior season undefeated, boasting a 49-0 record.

Finally, Rolla's Kayden Kinder was the final mid-Missouri wrestler to win a state championship. Kinder won the Class 3 Boys' 150-pound state title bout by injury default.