The Fatima Comets will have six state qualifiers wrestling in the Class 1 state championships, which begin today at Mizzou Arena.
First-round match are scheduled to start at 9 a.m., with first-round wrestlebacks to follow. Action resumes at 8:30 a.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday.
The Comets return three state medalists in juniors Jason Strope, Lucas Laux and Blake Wiles.
Laux (44-2) opens at 126 pounds against Lawson sophomore Elijah Lafleur (9-6). Laux finished runner-up at 113 in 2017 and took second at 120 last season.
Strope (39-1) will face Marceline freshman Brayden Brown (15-14) to start in the 113 bracket. Strope, a three-time state qualifier, placed fourth at 106 last season.
Wiles (29-6) will wrestle Valle Catholic senior Peyton Tucker (18-8) at 145. Wiles placed sixth at 132 in 2019.
Junior Zakery Tune (23-16) also returns to state for a second straight season. He will take on Lathrop sophomore Drystin Dotson (33-6) at 132.
Juniors Alex Even and Jason Woodruff are making their first state appearances for the Comets. Even (28-12) will wrestle Lathrop sophomore Jaiden Defries (28-13) at 120, while Woodruff (26-19) is scheduled to face Bishop DuBourg senior Steven Ludwig (23-4) at 195.
Fatima placed 10th as a team in Class 1 last season.
III
The Versailles Tigers, coming off a share of a district championship, enter the Class 1 state championships with seven wrestlers.
Senior Riley Rademann (37-7) is the Tigers' lone returning state qualifier, placing sixth at 195 last season. He faces Brentwood sophomore Anthony Garrett (14-8) in the first round today at 195.
Junior Mason Hibdon (27-19), who won a district title last weekend, wrestles Lathrop senior Quinton Wolfe (14-4) at 220.
Sophomore Kannen Wilson (37-8) will face Centraila sophomore Gabe Maenner (31-5) at 113, junior Zachary Radefeld (28-11) matches up against Palmyra junior Ross Arch (37-2) at 152 and senior Gage Tessier (25-7) takes on Maplewood-Richmond Heights senior Colin Skaggs (28-8) at 182. Wilson, Radefeld and Tessier each finished second at districts.
Other state qualifiers for Versailles include sophomore Connor Lehman (20-9), who faces Lafayette County senior James Wilkson (36-13) at 170, and sophomore Robert Silvey (10-20), who faces Whitfield freshman Alexander Rallo (36-7) at 106.
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The Tipton Cardinals will have a pair of first-time qualifiers competing in the Class 1 state championships.
Junior Cameron Whisler (25-7) is slated to go against Lexington sophomore Tyson Moore (34-1) in the first round at 152.
Freshman Christian Whisler (19-19) will take on Whitfield sophomore Reese Callahan (22-11) at 145.
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The School of the Osage Indians will have five state quailfiers - including one returning state medalist - competing today in the Class 2 state championships.
Sophomore Chase Cordia (38-1) begins today's action against Kirksville freshman Dominic Cahalan (15-7) in the first round at 160. Cordia finished in fifth place last season at 138.
Junior Jack Creasy (37-3) will face Cameron junior Camren Hedgpeth (44-8) at 195, while senior Rudy Escobar (29-8) goes against Marshall senior Ethan Stickels (20-4) at 182.
Senior Eric Westbrook (26-6) opens against St. Clair freshman Cameron Simcox (43-2) at 138 and sophomore Ryan Schepers (26-6) takes on Dexter senior Wyatt Parker (13-8) at 132.
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Senior Kaden Dillon will be the lone representative today for the Eldon Mustangs in the Class 2 state championships.
Dillon (41-4), a district champion at 195, will face Maryville junior Keiren Watkins (31-10) in the first round at state.
Dillon is a three-time state qualifier. He finished sixth as both a sophomore and a junior at 195.