In a rematch of 2018 state champions, Neosho's Cayden Auch made it 2-0 this season over McDonald County's Oscar Ortiz with a 7-6 decision to win the 126-pound division at the Branson High School Wrestling Tournament held Jan. 12 at Branson High School.
Auch, defending Class 3 state champ at 106 pounds, defeated Ortiz, who won his state title in Class 3 at 113 pounds, earlier this season by an 11-3 decision at the Neosho High School Wrestling Tournament.
Ortiz advanced to the title match with a 3-0 decision over Matthew Bahl in the semifinals. He earned his berth in the semifinals with wins in the opening round and the quarterfinals.
McDonald County's only other wrestler in the tournament was Jack Teague. Teague, a state qualifier last year at 145 pounds, went 4-1 on the day at 152 pounds to take fifth place.
McDonald County hosted the Cassville Wildcats on Jan. 15 before the Mustangs travel to Monett on Jan. 19 for the Big 8 Conference Wrestling Tournament.
Neosho/Webb City
A rematch of the Ortiz/Auch match was expected on Jan. 10 at MCHS, but Auch failed to make weight and was bumped to 132 pounds.
Ortiz was the Mustangs' only winner in the dual, claiming a 21-6 technical fall over Cade Daniel at 126 pounds.
Against Webb City, Ortiz claimed a tough 5-3 decision over Josh Copher at 126 pounds, while Teague pinned Brayden Hollingsworth at 152 pounds. The Mustangs' other win came from Eh Doh Say with a 10-7 decision over Donald Simonds at 113 pounds.
McDonald County's other points in its 52-24 loss came on forfeits to Ryan Donica (106) and McCoy Ikosia (285).
Junior Varsity
The McDonald County junior varsity team had a pair of winners at the Labette County JV Wrestling Tournament held Jan. 12 in Altamont, Kan.
Jarred Maggard went 5-0 to win the 220-pound division while Austin Reece won at 113 pounds with a 2-1 record.
Junior Teriek added a second-place finish with a 2-1 record at 145 pounds. Other McDonald County results were Donica 1-3 (106); Jacob Owen 1-2 (120); and Alberto Valdez 0-3 (160).
Sports on 01/17/2019