Capital City sending seven wrestlers to sectionals

Austin Feely of Capital City battles with Conner Gatlin of Raymore-Peculiar in the third-place match at 106 pounds Saturday in the Class 4 District 6 Tournament at Fleming Fieldhouse.
Austin Feely of Capital City battles with Conner Gatlin of Raymore-Peculiar in the third-place match at 106 pounds Saturday in the Class 4 District 6 Tournament at Fleming Fieldhouse.

The wrestling was tough Saturday.

It was another learning experience for the Capital City Cavaliers.

"It went like I anticipated," Capital City coach Mitch Werdehausen said after the Cavaliers finished fifth in the Class 4 District 6 Tournament at Fleming Fieldhouse. "It's a tough district with some tough brackets."

The Cavaliers had seven wrestlers finish in the top four spots in their respective weight classes to advance to the sectional tournament later this month.

"I was hoping for eight, but it's something to build off of for next year when we'll be even stronger," Werdehausen said.

Three Cavaliers wrestled for the title in their weight class.

At 145 pounds, Eli Jenkins got a first-round bye before winning his semifinal with a 6-5 decision. Jenkins then lost by fall in the second period to Gavin Birkett of Raymore-Peculiar in the title match.

"Eli really wrestled well, he's just a sophomore and he has a lot of potential," Werdehausen said.

At 195, Bahshi Traylor got a first-round bye before winning his semifinal match by a first-period fall. Traylor then lost by a first-period fall to Jakeil Hayes of Jefferson City for the title.

"That was a tough weight class," Werdehausen said.

At 220, Hurley Jacobs Jr. got a bye before winning by a first-period fall in the semifinals. Jacobs then lost by a fall in the third period to Jackson Hazel of Sedalia Smith-Cotton in the championship match.

"He's another sophomore that has a lot of potential," Werdehausen said.

Taking third for the Cavaliers were Austin Feely at 106 and Eli Schuemann at 126.

Feely lost his first match before winning by a second-period fall and taking a 5-4 deicision from Connor Gatoilo of Raymore-Peculiar for third.

Schuemann won his first match by fall, then lost by fall in the semifinals. He then won 7-2 before winning by a first-period fall against Brayden Welcher of Raymore-Peculiar to take third.

Finishing fourth to advance to sectionals were Sterling Wheatley at 113 and AJ Kempker at 120. Wheatley and Kempker both finished with records of 1-2 in the tournament.

Raymore-Peculiar took team honors with 186 points. Jefferson City was second in the seven-team event with 183 points and Lee's Summit was third with 140.5. Rock Bridge finished fourth with 88 points, one more than Capital City.

The sectional will be held Saturday, Feb. 27, at Ozark.

"We'll have to see how we match up against the other district, it's going to be what it is," Werdehausen said.