Three For Three

MUSTANG WRESTLERS BRING HOME THREE STATE MEDALS

RICK PECK MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS Three members of the McDonald County High School wrestling team earned medals at last week’s state wrestling tournament. From left to right: Daniel DeSantiago (fifth), Josh Kinser (fourth) and Jakob Gerow (sixth).
RICK PECK MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS Three members of the McDonald County High School wrestling team earned medals at last week’s state wrestling tournament. From left to right: Daniel DeSantiago (fifth), Josh Kinser (fourth) and Jakob Gerow (sixth).

The McDonald County High School wrestling team recorded its best results ever at last week's state tournament when all three McDonald County wrestlers who qualified for the tournament earned a state medal.

"People ask me what are my thought's on how our wrestlers performed at this year's state tournament and my response is what do you want to hear?" said coach Josh Factor. "Am I satisfied? As a true competitor, you can never be satisfied with where you are, so that being said I guess you can understand where I'm coming from. Don't get me wrong, it was the most memorable high school state wrestling tournament I've ever coached with a great coaching staff and to see us go three for three in state qualifiers to medal. I just honestly believe our guys can always do better, until they win a state championship."

Senior Josh Kinser (145) led the way, taking fourth place while sophomore Daniel DeSantiago (113) took fifth and freshman Jakob Gerow (106) finished in sixth.

"Josh Kinser had a great finish to his high school career with a fourth place finish at 145 pounds, finishing above any other wrestler in his weight class out of the District 3 region including a higher place than rival Jason Box of Neosho who finished fifth," Factor said. "What can a coach say about a kid (DeSantiago) who was seeded fifth going into our district tournament where only four wrestlers advance to state? I can tell you what I would say, he exceeded our expectations and did it in fashion. With a lot of hard work in the off-season, I have no doubt Jakob could be on the top of the podium by the end of his high school career."

Kinser

Kinser started his drive to a medal with a first period pin of Taylor Brooks of Rockwood Summit High School. In the quarterfinals, facing Jacob Schulte of Jefferson City Helias, Kinser led all the way to claim a 9-5 decision to advance to the semifinals and assure himself of winning a medal.

In the semifinals, Kinser went up against top-seeded Ethan Karsten of Platte County, who entered the tournament with a 52-3 record. Karsten, who went on to win the championship, pinned Kinser with just 10 seconds left in the first period.

The loss dropped Kinser to the consolation bracket where he faced Brooks, who had put together three consecutive wins since losing in the opening round to Kinser. Facing Kinser for the second time in the fourth round wrestlebacks, Kinser was in control throughout the match, eventually settling for an 8-2 decision to advance to the third place match.

Waiting for Kinser was Caleb Chevalier of Belton, the number two seed with a 36-9 record. Chevalier jumped ahead early and held on for a 4-2 win. Kinser's fourth-place medal was his first at state after qualifying for the state tournament in all four years of his high school career.

"Josh came up big when it counted and was our highest finisher this year and will definitely be missed on next year's team," Factor said.

Kinser credited his success to the time he spent during his many hours of training. He finished his senior season with a 44-14 record.

"Hard work pays off," Kinser said. "It wasn't what I wanted. I wanted first, but fourth is OK. It was fun. I was aggressive and relaxed. I had been there before so I knew what to do."

DeSantiago

DeSantiago got off to a good start with a 5-4 decision over Austin Schaub of Harrisonville. But unlike Kinser, DeSantiago lost his quarterfinal match, dropping a 4-2 decision to Justin Espinosa of Ladue Horton Watkins.

DeSantiago persevered in the consolation bracket, beating Jordan Kestner of St. Charles and Shaun Beeman of Fort Zumwalt to make it to the medal rounds.

"To fight his way back with two wins in a row, including a win over last year's third place finisher (Beeman) in perhaps the most exciting match of the tournament, is a great accomplishment," Factor said. "Daniel was losing by a 2-0 score in the second period when he attempts a lateral drop to send Beeman flying to the mat, but Beeman scrambles out and gets back to his feet. Just as he does, Daniel hits him with another lateral drop to hold Beeman on his back and pick up the win by pin to guarantee MCHS it's third state medal of the tournament."

In the fourth round wrestlebacks, DeSantiago dropped a 7-4 decision to Parker Neptune of Washington, but came back to beat longtime rival Dakota Jones of Carthage 7-0 in the fifth place match.

"Daniel's story gets just a little better," Factor said. "The same wrestler that knocked Daniel out at the district tournament in Daniel's freshmen year and who has beaten him every time (Jones) would wind up losing by a 7-0 decision in the fifth-place match."

DeSantiago qualified for state last year as a sophomore, but came home empty-handed. He ends his junior season with a 42-20 record.

"It was very exciting after the disappointment of last year losing both my matches on the first day," DeSantiago said. "I am very proud of myself. I am thankful for my coaches and my family for supporting me."

Gerow

Gerow took a similar path to his medal as did Kinser, winning his first two matches to make the semifinals and assure himself of a medal.

In his opener, Gerow pinned Michael Painter of Clayton in the first period and then advanced to the semifinals with a pin of Antonio Enna of Belton.

In the semifinals, Gerow dropped a tough 7-5 decision to Coleman Brainard of Rolla to be knocked to the consolation bracket where he lost an 8-4 decision to Dalton Kivett of Neosho and a 6-4 decision to Bryant Clay of Rayton to settle for sixth place.

"Jakob Gerow is perhaps one of the most talented freshmen we have had and now the second ever in our wrestling program to come home with a state medal," Factor said. "Watching Jakob pin his way through the quarterfinals before a tough two-point decision loss in the semifinals shows how close he is to being a state champion."

Gerow said the experience was a bit overwhelming. Gerow ends his first year as high school wrestler with a 43-16 record.

"I surprised myself," Gerow said. "It was very exciting to win a medal, but I want to do better next year."

Factor said he is already looking forward with two state qualifiers returning (DeSantiago and Gerow) to lead the 2015-2016 squad.

Team Standings

McDonald County finished with 38 points to take 18th place in the team standings. Border rival Neosho won its third consecutive state championship with 229 points, more than doubling the total of second place Platte County.

"The best part about the outlook for next year is we will be returning two state placers in next year's line-up," Factor said.

Sports on 02/26/2015