Led by third place finishes by Jakob Gerow (113) and Daniel De Santiago (120), the McDonald County Mustangs took ninth place in the 21-team field at the Liberty Wrestling Tournament held Jan. 29-30 at Liberty High School.
Gerow received a bye and won an 18-3 decision over Brendan Wilkins of Cape Girardeau Central to advance to the quarterfinals where he pinned Brian Holmes of Liberty in 51 seconds. In the semifinals, Gerow was edged by Bryant Clay of Raytown South, who claimed a 6-5 decision. Gerow bounced back in the third place match to win a 5-2 decision over Trent LeGrotte of Grain Valley.
De Santiago pinned Anthony Wheeler of William Chrisman in his first match to advance to the quarterfinals where he pinned Mason Lockamy of Kearny. In the semifinals, De Santiago was pinned in the third period by Andrew Gamble of Belton. De Santiago rebounded for a 5-0 win in the third place match over Mitchell Alexander.
Truman Craig and Bronnie Kinser added fourth place finishes for the Mustangs.
Craig advanced to the semifinals with a bye and a pair of pins, but lost an 8-5 decision to Ralph Hernandez and then dropped a 12-4 decision to Ethan Locke of Kearny in the third place match.
Kinser recorded a pair of pins to reach the semis, but then fell by a 5-3 decision to Nick Wily of Fort Osage. The McDonald County heavyweight was unable to wrestle in the third place match due to an injury sustained in the semifinals.
Other McDonald County results were as follows: Johan De La Cruz, sixth place; Nathan Knadle, eighth place; Timber Bowers, 12th place; Kenneth Read, 10th place; Micah Burkholder, 12th place; Rylan Hobbs, 11th place; Dylan Akins, eighth place; and Christian Willman, eighth place.
Belton edged Grain Valley and Kearney to win the team title. Belton totaled 341 points while Grain Valley and Kearney tied for second with 339 points. Fort Osage was fourth with 312 points followed by Lincoln East with 253, Lee's Summit North 216, Liberty 212, Harrisonville 199, McDonald County 193.5, Raytown South 141.5, William Chrisman 133, Kearney JV 116, Cape Girardeau Central 91, North Kansas City 82, Harrisonville JV 33, Liberty JV 32, Lincoln East JV 28, Lee's Summit North JV 25, Fort Osage JV 17 and Belton JV 14.
McDonald County was at Grove on Feb. 1 before the Mustangs return home Feb. 4 to celebrate matwarming and senior night when they host Carl Junction and Diamond. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with the matwarming ceremonies followed by Diamond taking on Carl Junction at 5:15 p.m. Senior night recognition is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. followed by McDonald County taking on Carl Junction at 6 p.m. and Diamond at 6:45 p.m.
Carthage/Marshfield
McDonald County dropped a pair of matches at a triangular held Jan. 28 at Carthage High School.
Marshfield claimed a 45-33 decision over the Mustangs. McDonald County received wins by De La Cruz (pin); Gerow (pin); De Santiago (pin); Willman (9-2) decision); Craig (pin); and Kinser (forfeit).
Carthage defeated the Mustangs 60-15. McDonald County's points came on wins by Kinser (pin); Gerow (12-5 decision); and De Santiago (pin).
Sports on 02/04/2016