State is the most important tournament of the regular high school season for most wrestlers. For the Eagles, they are in the highest class for both boys and girls wrestling, as well as having one of the hardest districts. However, this was no problem for five outstanding wrestlers that were able to make it through the district and secure a spot at state.
Maddoxx Jones (12) at 215 pounds dominated his weight class and was able to get first at the district tournament. Originally, Jones was placed at 190 pounds, but recently found out that he would dominate the 215 weight class after he beat the number one seed in a dual vs Francis Howell Central. Last year Jones got third at districts but went 0-2 at state due to a shoulder injury. His sophomore year, he also qualified for state and got third at districts but also went 0-2.
Paxton Hughes (12) at 157 pounds only had one loss of the day and secured third place. He had to wrestle the same person from Francis Howell in the third place match that he had wrestled prior since they were both able to come back after their losses. Last year Hughes got fourth at districts and went 1-2 at state.
Alberto Malave (11) at 144 pounds had one loss before the blood round where he was able to secure a spot at state but in his third place match he lost to Francis Howell and got fourth place. This is a big improvement for Malave as he has struggled with many injuries in his wrestling career. This is his first year qualifying for state.
Tristen Murphy (11) at 138 pounds also has one loss before the blood round and was able to qualify for state. Like Malave, Murphy also had to wrestle Francis Howell in his third place match and lost to get fourth. This is his first year qualifying for state and is still looking for improvement every day.
“The offseason is where champions are made,” Murphy said.
Lexi Daniels (11) at 140 pounds was the only girl to qualify for state, as she got fourth. This is Daniels’ first year qualifying for state and only her second season. Her freshman year she was out for the season with knee injuries and also struggled with shoulder injuries this year but pushed through for the state qualifier spot.
This state tournament will take place at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia this weekend. This is the last year that the girls and boys will be at the same state tournament because next year, they are adding another class in Missouri to girls wrestling.
Some athletes still did well at districts, while they didn’t qualify for state, they made it to the blood round and were one match away from qualifying. Those wrestlers consist of Lesley Caamano-Briones (11) at 125, Dmitry Maloney (11) at 126, Tyce Gleckler (11) at 132, Brodi Willnerd (12) at 150, and Clark Carpenter (12) at 190.
Most varsity wrestlers that did not qualify will still be going with the team to support them in their journey at state.
“I love when my teammates come and watch me. I feel like I wrestle so much better,” Malave said.
