Epstein, Winckel, Huck, Wilson and Wisdom all crowned state champs

By DONN ADAMSON\Daily Journal Sports Editor

The third and final day of the Missouri State High School wrestling tournament finished up with five area wrestlers winning state championships in their respective weight classes. Farmington had three wrestlers claim first place medals, and Ste. Genevieve and North County each collected one.

CLASS 4

Farmington -

The Farmington Knights finished just one place from placing as a team by taking fifth place with 91 points (see final standings on page 7). The Knights had three wrestlers win first place and their nine wrestlers in the meet won a total of 20 of their 26 matches wrestled.

Tyler Epstein put a cap on his high school career in winning the 275 championship match with a 5-3 decision over Chris Miller of Park Hill. Epstein, a senior, who had missed most of the season in recovering from a football injury he had sustained in the fall, finished the year with a 14-1 season.

In the tournament, Epstein had won three decisions and a major decision to finish 4-0.

Bradley Wisdom (103) also placed first for the Knights winning his final match by a score of 3-2 over Justin Forrest of Raymore-Peculiar. Wisdom finished his freshmen year with a 46-2 record and state championship.

Craig Wilson (125) went into the state meet undefeated and remained undefeated after it was over with a 16-7 major decision over Cody Farinella of Parkway North in his championship match. Wilson, a sophomore finished the season at 49-0.

North County -

The North County Raiders made some noise on the last day of the tournament with three of their five qualifying wrestlers placing in the top six.

Jason Winckel (171) won his first-place medal with a 16-5 major decision over Jon Sumner of Eureka in their championship match. Winckel, a junior, improved his record to 36-1 on the year.

Cody Compton (130) also won his last match with an 8-2 decision over Camdenton's Travis Bockhoven to take third place. North County's third medal came with Cameron Dugger winning fifth place with a 49 second fall over Jacob Rice of Union. Compton is a freshman and Dugger a junior.

CLASS 2

Ste. Genevieve -

The Ste. Genevieve Dragons won all three of their last matches in the tournament and finished sixth as a team with a score of 78 points.

Taylor Huck (171) was crowned state champ with a 9-5 decision over Jesse Alter of Kirksville. Huck, a senior, finished the year at 53-2.

Tanner Wolk (189) had hopes of reaching the top pedestal of the awards stand again, but settled for third place with a win over Chris Green of Carl Junction by an injury default. Wolk, who had won a state championship his sophomore year, finished his senior year with a54-1 record.

Adam Johnson (135) also placed third, winning a 5-1 decision over Doug McClain of Platte County. Johnson finished the year at 48-6, and will return next year as a senior.