Log in

Wrestling championship

Posted

Liberator Wrestlers competed in the Class 3 MSHSAA Wrestling Championships at Mizzou Arena February 24-25, 2023. The team placed 8 out of 47 and four wrestlers brought home hardware: Cooper Moore, Blake Goodman, Riley Beckman and Trey Brewer.

Cooper Moore finished the season with a record of 32-6, placed fourth and scored 17 state team points at 138.

  • Round 1: Cody Culp (Hannibal) won by decision 7-5.
  • Next three consolation (back side of the bracket): Moore won by fall over Josh Schmitt (Vianney), Drake Peeler (DeSoto) and Joseph Kenny (Ft. Zumwalt South) to confirm his state medal.
  • Consolation semi: Moore won 4-3 by decision over Kyshin Isringhausen (Branson).
  • 3rd place match: Blaine Ortiz (McDonald County) won in sudden victory (overtime) over Moore.

Toby Bunn scored 3 team points with a win by fall over Blayne Mcdermott (Sikeston) wrestling at 150.

Riley Beckman finished his senior season with a record of 42-4, placed second and scored 20 state team points at 157.

  • Round 1: Beckman won by fall over Darrell Smith (Platte County).
  • Quarterfinal: He won by decision 9-5 over Jayden Mccaster (DeSmet).
  • Semifinal: He won by decision 10-4 over Landon Littleton (Belton).
  • 1st place match: Sam Richardson (Hillsboro) won by fall over Beckman.

Trey Brewer finished his senior season with a record of 38-2, placed second and scored 21 state team points at 175.

  • Round 1: Brewer won by fall over Lucas Hudson (Hannibal).
  • Quarterfinal: He won by major decision 12-2 over Zach Attebury (Belton).
  • Semifinal: He won by decision 9-5 over Brice Henry (Windsor).
  • 1st place match: Logan Montoya (Helias Catholic) won by decision 3-1 over Brewer.

Blake Goodman finished his senior season with a record of 47-3, placed third and scored 16 state team points at 190.

  • Round 1: Goodman won by fall over Cohen Davis (Jefferson City).
  • Quarterfinal: He won by decision 8-7 over Asa Foeller (DeSoto).
  • Semifinal: Luca Riley (Belton) won by decision 3-1 over Goodman.
  • Cons. semi: Goodman won by decision 7-4 over Caelin Stegmann (Rockwood Summit).
  • 3rd place match: He won by decision 5-1 over Jakweli Gist (Kearney).

We asked Riley Beckman, on the mat, “What was your primary focus for the state tournament, working on takedowns, being on top, etc.?” “Working on my positioning and my shots, a few ‘go-to moves’, staying in good position more and not focusing on whether I’m wrestling a good wrestler or not, and sticking with what I do and know best,” he answered.

What does going out with a championship match mean to you after so much hard work? “It means a lot! I wrestled over the summer with my friend, Trey Brewer, and we practiced a lot to make it where we are now. I’m happy with what we have achieved.”

Is there anyone you want to thank for helping you get to this point? “I want to thank Trey. He was a big factor in getting me here. I also want to thank my dad for pushing me and my teammates, family, and friends.”

Next, we asked Trey Brewer a few questions, starting with, “If you had to explain the season you just completed, what would you say about it?” “It was good. It was interesting when the entire coaching staff switched yet fun to see coaches step up in big roles. I missed my partner Tyson who graduated last year, but Riley stepped up and filled the position. We worked hard every day.”

Getting to the championship match is huge and I know you wanted to be the champion, but the Class 3 175 lb. runner up is a big achievement. How do you feel about that? “It was war. Tough matches all the way through; from the first match to the finals, it was war, but it was fun. I am proud of my effort, and I’m going to miss it next year.”

Is there anyone you want to thank for helping you get to this point? “My parents, my coaches, my dad has always been there for me, any of my Purler partners through the years and Riley. He has been there for me this season; he is my rock! We have always had each other’s back.”

Coach Coleman felt like the season went great with lots of buy-in from the kids and community to push towards individual and team goals. Qualifying half the varsity squad is no easy task in this district.

We asked Coleman, what do you feel was your biggest obstacle for your first year at a new school? “The biggest obstacle was getting everyone on the same page. Change is tough to deal with but these kids embraced the change and were inspired to take care of business as usual.”

Coleman said, “I have never seen a better group of individuals as this senior class. The coaching staff got personal compliments on how nice, polite, and dedicated they were everywhere we went. This was the best group of kids I’ve ever coached.”

They will miss the seniors, Evan Hendrickson, Cael McCullah, Blake Goodman, Riley Beckman, Trey Brewer and Toby Bunn as they have led by example, contributed and worked hard for the team. Several underclassmen made it to the bubble match this year as well as others who will continue to work hard to make it to that next level!


X
X