Cheered on by over 1,000 enthusiastic students, the McDonald County High School wrestling team picked up a 45-36 win over Carl Junction on Jan. 31 in a special 1:30 p.m. start at MCHS.
"There's no greater feeling than entering our gym and seeing our entire student body and staff, along with parents and fans come to their feet to cheer on our wrestlers," said coach Josh Factor. "Experiences like these are what Mustang pride is all about. We have the greatest group of kids who know how to get loud and crazy, but they always know how to demonstrate good sportsmanship."
Taking the mat first for the Mustangs was Justin Smith at 132 pounds. But Smith couldn't provide the crowd anything to cheer about as he was pinned in the first period.
Next was Jordan Meador (138) and he was able to get the big crowd excited, claiming an 8-3 decision over Ethan Walker.
After McDonald County's Junior Teriek won by forfeit, Jack Teague picked up the Mustangs' first pin, taking down Dalton Honey in 1:34 of the first period.
Carl Junction won the next four matches, the first two by forfeit at 160 and 170 pounds before the Bulldogs got a pin from Noah Southern over Jesus Ocampo at 182 pounds.
Another McDonald County forfeit at 195 pounds gave Carl Junction a 30-15 lead going into the 220 pound match. Jarred Maggard got the Mustang rally started by pinning Keegan Bennett in the third period.
A forfeit at 285 by the Mustangs made the score 36-21 heading into the 106 pound weight class. McDonald County's Ryan Donica received a forfeit as did Eh Doh Say at 113 pounds to cut the score to 36-33.
Jacob Owens put McDonald County into the lead with a pin at 120 pounds setting the stage for defending State Champion Oscar Ortiz to clinch the win in the final match of the day.
Ortiz had no trouble, taking down Carl Junction's Silas Walker at will before pinning him midway through the second period.
"I am convinced when we have over 1,000 screaming fans supporting our wrestling team, our wrestlers rose to the occasion," Factor said. "Hopefully, this will get more students involved in wrestling at our school. I can't think of a better way go into the district tournament. I just want to thank Bo Bergen (athletic director) and Julie Holloway (principal) and Nick Martina and Greg Leach (former athletic director and principal) for all the support and planning this event."
McDonald County will be at the Missouri Class 3 District 3 Wrestling Tournament on Feb. 8-9 at Union High School.
Sports on 02/07/2019