Hickman, Helias send multiple wrestlers to MSHSAA state semifinals
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Numerous mid-Missouri wrestlers will be chasing state titles at the MSHSAA Wrestling Championships.
18 local student-athletes have clinched their place in the state semifinals, following wins in the quarterfinal round of their respective tournament brackets. Hickman's Hank Benter is hunting to become the 44th wrestler in MSHSAA history to win four straight state championships. Hickman's Luke Hayden, Jefferson City's Alexis Dunwiddie and Rolla's Kayden Kinder also remain in contention for back-to-back state titles while the rest of mid-Missouri's state semifinalists are aiming to become first-time state champions.
Hickman is in position to finish among the top-four teams in the Class 4 Boys tournament for a second straight year. After earning a fourth place trophy last season, the Kewpies are currently the No. 2 team in this year's standings, holding a narrow 0.5-point lead over Neosho after one day of action. Hickman has six student-athletes competing in the state semifinals and posted 12 bonus point wins on Friday night.
Helias Catholic is also within striking distance of winning a team trophy. The Crusaders finished the first day in sixth place, sitting just three points behind Platte County for the No. 4 spot. Helias punched four tickets to the state semifinal round and recorded eight bonus point victories.
You can find a full list of local qualifiers for the MSHSAA state semifinals below.
CLASS 3 BOYS
- DAEMEN DUEMMEL (HELIAS CATHOLIC)
- ALEKSANDR CAREAGA (HELIAS CATHOLIC)
- ELI HOMAN (HELIAS CATHOLIC)
- ZYAN KNOLLMEYER (HELIAS CATHOLIC)
- MASON EVANS (MARSHALL)
CLASS 2 GIRLS
- JACINDA ESPINOSA (ROCK BRIDGE)
- ALEXIS DUNWIDDIE (JEFFERSON CITY)
- ATHENA ANDERSON (CAPITAL CITY)
- JAZLYN SMITH-FREEMAN (SMITH-COTTON)
- JASMINE WOLFE (SMITH-COTTON)
- ABIGAIL FUGLSANG (CAMDENTON)
CLASS 4 BOYS
- HOGAN BENTER (HICKMAN)
- HANK BENTER (HICKMAN)
- QUINCEY CRAWFORD (HICKMAN)
- JORDAN FINCHER (HICKMAN)
- LUKE HAYDEN (HICKMAN)
- BEAU WALDRON (HICKMAN)
- KAYDEN KINDER (ROLLA)
The MSHSAA State Semifinals at Mizzou Arena for Class 3 Boys, Class 2 Girls and Class 4 Boys are scheduled for Saturday, March 1 at 8:00 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. respectively. The state championship bouts will follow, later that evening at 5:45 p.m.
