McDonald County's Jakob Gerow was able to defend his championship at this year's Neosho Wrestling tournament, but teammates Oscar Ortiz and Tinker Kinser had to settle for second.

Gerow was impressive in winning the 120-pound title, winning all five of his matches by pin and only two of those going into the second round and none requiring a third period.

In the title match, Gerow pinned James Short of Hillsboro just 25 seconds into the second period.

Ortiz advanced to the title match at 113 pounds with four wins in pool matches, including a 4-2 overtime win over Xander Sederburg, a junior-varsity entry from Rolla.

In the finals, Ortiz faced Rolla's varsity wrestler at 113 pounds, freshman Nathan Pulliam, who earlier in his pool match, defeated a defending state champion. Pulliam controlled the match against Ortiz from the outset, claiming an 8-1 decision.

Kinser also faced a daunting task in his finals match, going against defending state champion Adrian Hitchcock of Neosho. Hitchcock, who pinned his way to last year's state championship, showed the same form against Kinser, pinning the Mustang senior in 1:02 of the first period.

Kinser advanced to the finals with four wins in his pool, three by pin.

McDonald County's only other wrestler to make the top four was Jack Teague. The Mustang sophomore went 3-1 in pool matches at 152 pounds before dropping an 18-7 decision in his third-place match.

Timber Teague added a fifth place at 182 pounds. Teague went 2-2 in pool matches before pinning Ian Dobkins of Rolla in the fifth-place match.

Other McDonald County results were Erin Yang, 0-4, 106 pounds; Justin Smith, 0-4, 126 pounds; and Adrian Ocampo, 0-4, 132 pounds.

Neosho won the team title with 224 points, followed by Lebanon with 183, Rolla 157, Belton 147.5, Hillsboro 111, Farmington 105.5, Willard 96.5, McDonald County 86, Branson 51, Lebanon JV 43.5, Kickapoo 24 and Neosho JV 21.5.

McDonald County's next action is on Dec. 9 at the Carl Junction Tournament.

Seneca/Diamond

McDonald County split duals in a double dual against Diamond and Seneca on Nov. 30 at Diamond.

Picking ups wins in the Mustangs' 42-30 win over Diamond were Yang, 106, forfeit; Christian Davidson, 113, forfeit; Ortiz, 120, pin; Gerow, 126, pin; Jack Teague, 152, pin; Timber Teague, 182, pin; and Kinser, 285, pin.

Seneca claimed a 51-30 win over the Mustangs in the second dual. Winning for McDonald County were Yang, 106, forfeit; Ortiz, 120, pin; Gerow, 126, forfeit; Jack Teague, 160, pin; and, Kinser, 285, injury time.