It took Jakob Gerow just two days to avenge his second loss of the season.
Gerow, a 126-pound senior, dropped a 4-0 decision to Joel Barrientos of Monett on Jan. 4 at McDonald County High School during a double dual with Monett and Republic.
But Gerow turned the tables on the defending state champion (Class 2, 113 pounds) Saturday in the championship match of the Monett High School Wrestling Tournament.
Not only did Gerow win the tournament championship, he did in it convincing style, claiming a 12-2 major decision over Barrientos.
Gerow improved to 28-2 on the season with the win. He advanced to the championship match with three pins in his three pool matches and an 8-1 win over Luke Moffett of Bolivar in the semifinals.
Also making it to the finals was Timber Teague, who improved to 20-10 for the season. Teague, a 182-pound senior, was pinned by Joel Martin of Oak Grove and had to settle for second place. He advanced to the finals with a 2-0 mark in pool matches and then defeated Pono Doctorello (pin) of Bentonville West in the quarterfinals and Marek Davis (10-7 decision) of Nixa in the semifinals.
With Oscar Ortiz and Tinker Kinser out due to injury, the Mustangs' only other top-six finish was from McCoy Ikosia. Ikosia took sixth at 285 pounds with a 1-2 record.
Rounding out the results for the Mustangs were Christian Davidson, 10th, 106; Eh Doh Say, 13th, 106; Justin Smith, 15th, 120; Codie Evans, 11th, 132; Marshall Brock, eighth, 138; Jack Teague, eighth, 152; Kevin Sackryas, 14th, 160; Jesus Ocampo, ninth, 195; and Jarred Maggard, 11th, 220.
Nixa won the team title with 348 points, followed by Oak Grove with 342.5, Willard 322, Monett 296.5, DeSoto 284, Logan-Rogersville 275, Bentonville West 257, Clinton 242, Bolivar 240.5, Cassville 165.5, McDonald County 162, Reeds Spring 126 and Nevada 121.5.
McDonald County will be at Neosho on Jan. 11 to take on the Wildcats and Webb City before traveling to the Branson tournament on Jan. 13.
Republic/Monett
McDonald County dropped both ends of a double dual on Jan. 4 when the Mustangs hosted Republic and Monett.
Facing Republic first, an open weight at 106 pounds gave the Tigers a 41-37 win.
The dual began at 113 pounds. McDonald County's Eh Doh Say was pinned by Reese Lawler. Wins by Ortiz (pin, 120) and Gerow (9-1 decision, 126) gave the Mustangs a 10-6 lead. McDonald County's Jaw Di lost a 16-0 decision at 132 before Codie Evans gave the Mustangs a 16-11 lead with a pin at 138 pounds. An open weight at 145 for the Mustangs was offset by a pin by Jack Teague at 152 pounds to make the score 22-17.
Kevin Sackryas lost at 160 pounds, but Wilson Menas received a forfeit at 170 pounds and Timber Teague won by pin to give McDonald County a 34-23 lead.
Republic's Cody Morehouse and Austin Moody beat Jesus Ocampo at 195 and Jarred Maggard at 220 to give the Tigers a 35-34 lead.
But filling in for the injured Kinser, Ikosia jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead and held on to pull off a 7-6 win over Darren Aldrich at 285 pounds to put the Mustangs on top 37-35.
But the last match of the dual was at 106 and the Mustangs were open, giving Republic the win.
Monett claimed a 51-24 win in the Mustangs' second dual.
Winning for McDonald County were Jack Teague (pin, 152), Menas (forfeit, 170), Timber Teague (forfeit, 182) and Maggard (forfeit, 220).
Sports on 01/11/2018