The wrestling team has secured a second place finish in the Class 4 state wrestling tournament and has captured one individual first place finish. The team’s second place finish is the highest in school history. Head Coach Steve Cross says he is proud of his team’s performance.

“I think [the team] did extremely well,” said Coach Cross.

Senior Terrel Wilbourn overcame a knee injury in the third period of his championship match to defeat Keenan Hegarty (42-2) of Blue Springs 6-3 to win the state title in 140-pound weight bracket; his third state title in three years. Hegarty was Wilbourn’s only loss during the regular season, which ended in a 24-1 record.

“I’d never thought I would win a third [championship],” said Wilbourn after his final match, sitting down recuperating from his sustained a knee.

Coach Cross was proud of Wilbourn’s actions through adversity after getting injured.

“He is a tough kid and played through it,” said Coach Cross. “It really showed his toughness.”

Senior Ben Henson took a second place finish in the 119-pound weight bracket after succumbing to Antoine White of Hazelwood West by a score of 5-2.

Senior Matt Greene finished in third place in the 171-pound weight bracket after six periods of wrestling. Greene wrestled for a total of 14 periods in two matches today.

“I didn’t give up,” said Greene, despite being disappointed he wasn’t competing for a title. “I stuck in there and did something that I didn’t want to do.”

Three other wrestlers, sophomore John Wood (135) and seniors Andy King (152) and Luke Knoche (160), finished in fourth place. Rounding out the top five finishers was senior Wyatt Miller, who took fifth in the 189-pound weight bracket.

Coach Cross cites every wrestler that participated as vital to the team’s finish.

“Even guys that didn’t medal still wrestled and scored us team points that helped us secure second place,” said Cross.