Ward, Craig Win GAC Wrestling Titles

Boys team places seventh while the girls take 10th at tournament

Caroline+Ward+has+her+hand+raised+following+a+victory+over+an+opponent+earlier+in+the+season.+Ward+was+a+GAC+champion+at+the+conference+meet.

Elektra Lowe

Caroline Ward has her hand raised following a victory over an opponent earlier in the season. Ward was a GAC champion at the conference meet.

Blake Cunningham, Reporter

Liberty crowned two champions at the annual GAC wrestling meet at St. Charles High School on Jan. 7-8.

Caroline Ward and Matt Craig finished first in their divisions for the Eagles. 

Other notable finishes were: Justin Little and Elektra Lowe who both took home third place while Trenton Williams and Brendan Kelly came in fourth place.

Some wrestling members also competed in a tournament at Pacific High school and Aidan Summers along with Lennox Pearigin finished first in their respective weight class. 

As a team, the boys team finished seventh while the girls placed 10th. 

Matt Craig finished first place at the GAC tournament and also recently had 100 career victories. (submitted by LHS wrestling)

“I thought we wrestled well,” coach Kling said. “We had two girls place in the top three and four boys place in the top four. We are a young team and continuing to grow.”

It’s always nice to do well in the GAC tournament, but state is what wrestlers focus on the most. Districts are set for early February with state at Mizzou to follow. 

“Our biggest goal is to get most of the wrestlers to qualify for state,” Little said.

Another wrestler, junior Jack Bushman, has high hopes for the season.

“I’ll do the best I can and hopefully make it to state,” Bushman said. “I have high expectations for the wrestling team. Good luck to everyone on their season.”