COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Jefferson City Jays will have one medalist in the Class 4 state wrestling tournament.
Peter Kuster will be back in action today in two matches to finish the tournament at Mizzou Arena.
Kuster dropped a 3-2 decision in overtime to Corey Wait of Francis Howell Central in the semifinals at 145 pounds Friday night.
After a scoreless first period, Kuster got a reversal in the first :20 of the second to take a 2-0 lead. Wait answered with an escape and it was 2-1 going to the third period. Wait got an early escape for the only point of the third period and the match went to overtime tied at 2.
Wait (23-3) got another escape in the third overtime period to get the victory.
Kuster (44-6) will be in the fourth round of wrestlebacks this morning before wrapping up his tournament in the medal matches.
The senior can finish anywhere from third to sixth.
Kuster advanced to the semifinals with a win by fall against Lee Rodriguez of Fort Osage in Friday afternoon's quarterfinals.
Kuster got two takedowns in the first period to lead 4-1. He stretched that advantage to 8-2 after two before ending the match with a pin in 5:38.
Five other Jays were eliminated from the tournament Friday.
At 106, Garrett Butel finished 1-2 in the state tournament.
The junior dropped a 6-3 decision to Skyler Akers of Seckman in the quarterfinals Friday afternoon. Butel then lost 2-0 to Alec Bailey of Jackson in the second round of wrestlebacks.
Butel finishes the season at 32-17.
At 138, Will Kuster was 1-2 at state.
Kuster, a sophomore, went 1-1 in action Thursday night. On Friday afternoon, he lost by fall in 1:33 to Jeff Merlo of Blue Springs in the second round of wrestlebacks.
Kuster ends the year at 47-7.
At 152, Reece Neighbors dropped his lone match Friday.
Neighbors, a senior, went 1-1 on the opening night to advance to the second round of wrestlebacks. He then lost 7-6 to Tyler Craig of Staley.
Neighbors posted a record of 30-11.
At 220, Brandon Backues was 1-1 on Friday. He opened the day with a win by fall in 4:21 against Nathan O'Donohue of Francis Howell in the second round of wrestlebacks.
In the third round of wrestlebacks Friday night, Backues dropped a 4-2 decision to Jaydn Withrow of Joplin. Backues got an escape to take a 1-0 lead after two periods. Withrow then got a reversal and two near-fall points to take a 4-1 lead. Backues got a late escape to make the final 4-2.
At 285, Nate McKaye was eliminated Friday after losing a pair of matches.
In the quarterfinals, the senior lost 6-0 to Danny Conley of Chaminade. McKaye then dropped a 1-0 decision to Lucas Osia of Lindbergh in the second round of wrestlebacks.
McKaye finishes the season at 41-11.
The fourth round of wrestlebacks will start at 10 a.m. today, followed by the third- and fifth-place matches around noon.
Jefferson City is in 19th place with 23 team points.