COLUMBIA, Mo. - Peter Kuster finished one step short of his goal.
But the Jefferson City junior seemed just fine with that. It was a pretty high goal.
"Obviously you want to shoot for the highest goal, which is a state championship," Kuster said. "But it was great to get on the podium."
Kuster finished second Saturday night in the Class 4 state wrestling tournament, falling 4-2 to Tyler Stegall of Northwest: Cedar Hill in the title match at 138 pounds.
"I knew if I wrestled well, I could win," Kuster said. "Obviously, I slipped up at the end, those things happen. But I'm going to do my best to make sure it doesn't happen again next year."
After a scoreless first period that saw both wrestlers take multiple shots, Kuster took a 2-0 lead by picking up a reversal with 1:36 left in the second.
That was all the scoring heading into the final two minutes. Kuster and Stegall both started the third period on their feet and the score remained 2-0 with about :30 remaining.
That's when Kuster 'slipped' and Stegall got a takedown to tie the match. Stegall then was awarded two near-fall points with :07 remaining to get the victory.
"He was strong," Kuster said.
Kuster had beaten Stegall earlier this season at the Hickman Tournament.
"We figured the person who would win this match would be the person who made the least amount of mistakes," Jefferson City coach Phil Cagle said. "The last time those two wrestled, (Stegall) made more mistakes and Peter won.
"Today, Peter made one mistake."
It's the first medal for Kuster, who is a three-time state qualifier.
"This will really boost my confidence not only for the offseason tournaments, but for next year when I'm a senior," Kuster said.
Kuster ends the season at 42-2.
"Peter has had a great season," Cagle said. "I know this will fire him up for next season."
III
Kuster is one of three state medalists for Jefferson City.
At 126, senior Charlie Kusick finished fifth.
Kusick opened Saturday with a 2-0 loss to Sean Sax of Waynesville in the fourth round of wrestlebacks.
In the fifth-place match, Kusick squared off with Kyle Prewitt of C.B.C.
After a scoreless first period, Kusick got a takedown with :03 left in the second to take a 2-1 lead. Kusick then got an escape early in the third and a later takedown made the final 5-1.
"Charlie Kusick is every coach's dream," Cagle said. "He paid his dues by being on the JV for three years before getting to the varsity this season."
At 132, Sam Rackers finished sixth at 132 for the Jays.
Rackers lost 8-0 to Cameron Wegener of Lafayette: Wildwood in the fourth round of wrestlebacks before dropping an 8-4 decision to Trevor Christian of Lebanon in the fifth-place match.
Rackers is just the fourth freshman in the history of the program to medal at state, joining Austin Hile, Cole Baumgartner and Logan Moriarity.
"Hopefully, this will set him on the same road to accomplish the things those kids did at Jefferson City," Cagle said. "Sam is always willing to work and I think he has a very bright future for us."
The Jays had 10 qualifiers and six - Sam Martin, Reece Neighbors, Tyler Bise and Brandon Backues, along with Kuster and Rackers - will return next season.
"We had a lot of kids get a taste of what state wrestling is like this year," Cagle said. "Now it's time to start back to work and see what happens next year."
Jefferson City finished ninth in the final team standings with 59.5 points.
"Nobody ever leaves here happy," Cagle said. "That's why you go back to work in two weeks and try to do better next season."
Staley was first with 119.5, followed by C.B.C. with 105.5, Park Hill with 97 and Lafayette: Wildwood with 96.5.
CLASS 4
Jefferson City
First Round
113 - Sam Martin, soph. (11-12) LBF to Kai Orine, soph., Seckman (45-1).
126 - Charlie Kusick, sr. (36-6) won 8-1 against Andrew Javier, soph., Lindbergh (31-14).
132 - Sam Rackers, fr. (32-11) won 12-2 against Quentin Smith, jr., Francis Howell Central (20-9).
138 - Peter Kuster, jr. (40-1) won 10-0 against Cameron Sharp, sr., Hazelwood Central (32-9).
145 - Christian Mayberry, sr. (39-5) won 8-2 against Payton Price, jr., Blue Springs (37-10).
152 - Reece Neighbors, jr. (26-15) LBF to Charley Genisio, sr., Staley (49-8).
160 - Dennis Barnes, sr. (30-4) WBF against Blake Fritz, soph., Seckman (27-17).
170 - Tyler Bise, jr. (35-4) won 13-5 against Chase Schroeder, soph., Truman (27-9).
220 - Brandon Backues, fr. (17-7) won 13-0 against Ikenna Enchukwu, jr., Ruskin (30-11).
285 - Davonta Finney, sr. (29-11) LBF to Norman Deverse, jr., Hazelwood Central (21-15).
First-Round Wrestlebacks
113 - Sam Martin, soph. (11-13) lost 9-0 to Tyler Collins, jr., Blue Springs (30-9).
152 - Reece Neighbors, jr. (27-15) won 5-4 against Andrew Gentry, sr., C.B.C. (19-24).
285 - Davonta Finney, sr. (30-11) won 10-5 against Faze Thomas, soph., C.B.C. (23-17).
Quarterfinals
126 - Charlie Kusick, sr. (37-6) won 5-4 against Max Worth, jr., Holt (28-16).
132 - Sam Rackers, fr. (32-12) LBTF to Colin Valdiviez, sr., Rockhurst (48-0).
138 - Peter Kuster, jr. (41-1) won 8-3 against Collen Divers, sr., Fort Osage (35-9).
145 - Christian Mayberry, sr. (39-6) lost 4-1 in OT to David Marlow, sr., Parkway South (38-6).
160 - Dennis Barnes, sr. (30-5) lost 8-2 to Bret Heil, jr., Blue Springs (41-4).
170 - Tyler Bise, jr. (35-5) lost 6-1 to Myron Crawford, sr., Francis Howell North (32-8).
220 - Brandon Backues, fr. (17-8) lost 2-1 to Logan Wells, jr., Lindbergh (44-3).
Second-Round Wrestlebacks
132 - Sam Rackers, fr. (33-12) WBF against Triston Jones, fr., Lee's Summit (34-13).
145 - Christian Mayberry, sr. (40-6) WBTF against Carter Goslee, soph., Park Hill (23-16).
152 - Reece Neighbors, jr. (27-16) lost 5-0 to Payne Guilliams, sr., Jackson (38-5)
160 - Dennis Barnes, sr. (30-6) lost 3-1 to Anthony Mabery, sr., Staley (48-8).
170 - Tyler Bise, jr. (36-5) won 7-0 against Tanner Dunivan, jr., Poplar Bluff (41-10).
220 - Brandon Backues, fr. (18-8) won 7-2 against Bryce Dickerson, sr., Jackson (38-8).
285 - Davonta Finney, sr. (31-11) WBF against Dan Mangold, jr., Staley (38-16).
Third-Round Wrestlebacks
132 - Sam Rackers, fr. (34-12) won 6-3 against Blake Berryman, soph., Staley (45-13).
145 - Christian Mayberry, sr. (40-7) lost 3-2 to Anthony Michaels, jr., Lafayette: Wildwood (39-8).
170 - Tyler Bise, jr. (36-6) lost 7-5 to Cameron Young, sr., McCluer North (31-8).
220 - Brandon Backues, fr. (18-9) lost 3-1 in OT to Oswaldo Garcia, jr., Nixa (37-11).
285 - Davonta Finney, sr. (31-12) lost 7-1 to Zane Shaddox, sr., Liberty (49-1).
Semifinals
126 - Charlie Kusick, sr. (37-7) lost 3-1 in OT to Garrett Kloeppel, soph., Parkway South (43-0).
138 - Peter Kuster, jr. (42-1) won 7-0 against Jeff Farris, jr., Holt (30-16).
Fourth-Round Wrestlebacks
126 - Charlie Kusick, sr. (37-8) lost 2-0 to Sean Sax, jr., Waynesville (39-4).
132 - Sam Rackers, fr. (34-13) lost 8-0 to Cameron Wegner, jr., Lafayette: Wildwood (50-5).
Fifth-Place Matches
126 - Charlie Kusick, sr. (38-8) won 5-1 against Kyle Prewitt, soph., C.B.C. (38-15).
132 - Sam Rackers, fr. (34-14) lost 8-4 to Trevor Christian, Fr., Lebanon (43-10).
Championship
138 - Peter Kuster, jr. (42-2) lost 4-2 to Tyler Stegall, sr., Northwest: Cedar Hill (50-3).
Team Scores
1. Staley, 119.5; 2. C.B.C., 105.5; 3. Park Hill, 97; 4. Lafayette: Wildwood, 96.5; 5. Francis Howell, 80.5.
6. Seckman, 80; 7. Eureka, 71.5; 8. Francis Howell Central, 68; 9. Jefferson City, 59.5; 10. Northwest: Cedar Hill, 57.
11. Libery, 56; 12. (tie) Parkway South and Timberland, 53; 14. Holt, 52; 15. Rockhurst, 46.5.
SEE ALSO:
Eldon's Dillon takes second at state wrestling
Bridges finishes sixth for Blair Oaks wrestling
Helias' Winder takes sixth after injury during Friday's action