Two Cavaliers set for Class 3 wrestling championships

The Capital City Cavaliers got their first taste of postseason wrestling last weekend. Now they're going to get they're first experience at the state wrestling championships.

Sophomore Ian Nelson and freshman Hurley Jacobs Jr. will represent the Cavaliers in the Class 3 state championships, which begin at 5 p.m. today at Mizzou Arena.

"I felt confident throughout the year that we were going to get a couple of kids through," Capital City coach Mitch Werdehausen said. "The realization they got through is a good feeling.

"The kids feel good about it, they earned it. It didn't come easy to them."

Capital City had 13 wrestlers compete in the District 4 Tournament at Belton. It was the team's first varsity competition since Jan. 25.

"Most of them won a match, they got a feel for what districts is like," Werdehausen said. "They got to see the competition that they have to rise up to. Next year, they'll have a better understanding of what they have to do to get there."

Jacobs Jr. (33-8) will open the state tournament against Lebanon junior Jake Henson (27-7) at 182 pounds. Henson is a returning state qualifier, finishing 1-2 last season at 182.

Jacobs Jr., who won a state title at 175 in the 14-and-under division last year in the Missouri USA state championships, finished third last weekend at districts.

"He had a lot of grit to him," Werdehausen said. "He wanted to get to state, he made it a point to get to state and he got to state. He just never gave up."

Nelson (29-14) is scheduled to take on Willard senior Jed Brandon (41-2) in the first round at 195. Brandon took third place last year at 170 and was fifth at 152 in 2018.

Nelson took fourth place in districts to earn his appearance at state.

"Ian has been doing a great job the whole year," Werdehausen said. "He's just getting better, stronger and more confident with his wrestling ability."

Capital City had just freshmen and sophomores this season. Jacobs Jr. is the only freshman in the 182 bracket, while Nelson is one of two sophomores in the 195 bracket.

"The key for both of them is their confidence level," Werdehausen said. "They are two of the youngest in the brackets. You can't look at the grade level, because at that point, everybody is 0-0 going into state."

Wrestling continues at 1:15 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday. Championship matches start at 4 p.m. Saturday.

"I'm looking forward to them getting the experience on the big stage," Werdehausen said.