​Three Eagles advance to semifinals at State

by Michael Smith
 
Grain Valley sophomore Jayden Moehle admitted she didn’t wrestler her best.

She said she was nervous because of the big event feel at the Class 2 Missouri State High School Girls Wrestling Championship Friday at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.

She didn’t appear to have any nerves in her matches as she pinned Eureka junior Addison Neumann in the first round and won by fall over Jefferson City freshman Samara Nyatanga in the quarterfinals of the 235-pound weight division to advance to Saturday’s semifinals.

“I didn’t wrestle sloppy, but I didn’t wrestle like myself,” Moehle said. “I think all the lights in the atmosphere made it tough, but tomorrow I am going to kick it into gear.”

In that match, she will take on undefeated Clara Rathmann of Camdenton.

“I feel very good about getting to the finals,” Moehle said. “Anything can happen at any time.”

Joining her in the semifinal will be Grain Valley senior Sevreign Aumua (140 pounds), who pinned Camden senior Lucinda Baker and Ritnour sophomore Julian Smith. Aumua will be looking for her third state championship Saturday and she will have to get past Belton junior Louise Juitt in the semifinals, an opponent she has already pinned twice this season.

Aumua said she used to go through the same nerves as Moehle and lacked confidence at times, but that aspect as since improved as a senior.

“I feel good with where I am at with my confidence,” Aumua said. “I just wrestle my match and listen to the coaches. My confidence has progressed over time and I feel good going into tomorrow.”

Junior Adalia Del Real (155) and senior Keya Butler (145) were eliminated from the tournament.

Boys
Grain Valley sophomore Zac Bleess (120) will have a chance to win a state championship on Saturday as he is the lone member of the boys team to make it to the semifinals. He took an 11-4 decision over Ozark sophomore Logan Luder and edged Columbia Hickman freshman Hogan Benter 5-3 in the quarterfinals.

Bleess nearly gave up a takedown late in the third period against Benter, but he used a savvy moved hung on to the thigh of his opponent and eventually forced a breakup and stalemate call from the official to preserve his two-point advantage.

“All year, I have been focusing on knowing what the situation is and knowing what you need to do,” Bleess said. “Sometimes that just means you need to hang on. I would have loved to get more points obviously, but sometimes you just have to be aware of where you are.

Bleess will take on Parkway South freshman Camron Duffield in the semifinals and he feels good going in.

“I just need to stick with what I am good at and take advantage of my opportunities as I have them,” Bleess said.

Grain Valley senior Gavin Parks (126) is still alive to earn a state medal as he went 2-1 on Friday. He nearly upset Lafayette Wildwood senior Dylan Roth in the first round as he held a 5-2 lead at one point. But Roth staged a comeback and won 6-5 to send Parks to the consolation bracket.

From there, Parks won 10-1 over Ft. Zumwalt North freshman Carsten Burkemper and pinned Ozark junior Keaton Hurst to advance to the third round of wrestle backs.

Parks will need to win one more match to be guaranteed a state medal. He will face Hickman sophomore Andrew Wisner in the bubble match.

“Going into districts, I knew I was going to battling the toughest kids in the state,” Parks said. “It didn’t go how I wanted and I took fourth. I knew whoever the one-seed was, they were going to have trouble with me. I didn’t quite execute it, but I hope I get to see him in (the consolation) semifinals.”

​Seniors Justin Deweese (165) and Jace Worthington (175) and freshman Sjoeren Aumua (144) were eliminated from the tournament.

Scenes from day 1 of the MSHSAA State Wrestling Championships. Photo credit: Clara Jaques