Bland places second

Submitted photo

Sikeston wrestler Gavilan Bland stands on the winner's podium after finishing second in the Tiger Classic over the weekend. Bland went 5-1 in the prestigious tournament. Sikeston's Jacob Murphy also did well, placing 10th in his weight class with a 4-3 record.

"Gavilan Bland and Jacob Murphy had a great tournament," said assistant coach Jerry Winberry. "Demardre Steward did well too being the first time he had been to a tournament of this size. But Robert Madison injured his ankle and is out indefinately. This is a very good tournament and a lot of weight classes have state-caliber wrestlers. With 20 teams competing and a lot of weight classes having state-caliber wrestlers competing it is very difficult to place in this tournament."

The Bulldogs also did well at the Farmington Tournament on Dec. 8, with Murphy and Madison placing first after going undefeated in their weight classes.

On Dec. 11, Sikeston took on NMCC and won five of their seven matches with Murphy, Madison, Steward and Dustin Wells winning by fall while Bland won by forfeit. Sikeston was back in action Tuesday when they traveled to Poplar Bluff.