SHS grapplers open new year with win

SIKESTON -- Sikeston's wrestling team kicked off 2002 with a 47-22 win over Cape Central on Thursday night. With the victory, the Bulldogs improve their dual record to 3-2 heading into Saturday's Poplar Bluff Tournament.

"It's good to start the second half of the season off with a win, but I really wasn't pleased with our intensity tonight," said Sikeston coach Chris Hodgkiss. "Some of the matches were closer than what I thought they should be. In some of the matches, we wrestled really good in the first period, but kind of slacked off in the second and third periods."

After a forfeit to Cape's Matt Welker in the 103 class, Cody Ryan got Sikeston back on track by pinning Cape's Dan Coonce in 2:56. At 119, Sikeston's Adam Miller swept Cape's Jonathan Posten with an 11-0 decision.

At 125, Sikeston's Kyle Weeks defeated Cape's Dustin Ingram 4-2. In the 130 class, Sikeston's Cleveland Anthony won via forfeit. At 135, Sikeston's Cody Weeks defeated Cape's Clay Cummins 3-1.

In the 140 division, Sikeston's Justin Keller pinned Cape's Cory Husky in 1:42. At 145, Sikeston's Tony Reynolds lost a 12-3 decision to Cape's Brandon Hinkle. Sikeston's Scotty Keenan defeated Cape's Josh Poole 12-2 in the 152 class. At 160, Sikeston's Jackie Cowley was pinned in 56 seconds by Cape's Trevor Duncan. The Tigers also won the 171 class by forfeit.

In the 189 class, Sikeston's Scott Heuiser won by forfeit, then Stuart Carraway defeated Cape's Shannon Mungle 5-3 at 215.

Heavyweight Joe Johnson won by forfeit.

Saturday's Poplar Bluff Tournament will start at 11 a.m. "I expect a good showing at Poplar Bluff," said Hodgkiss. "We've got some stuff to work on tomorrow in practice. We're going to have to come out and wrestle with a little more aggression than we had tonight."

In Thursday's junior varsity match, Cape Central defeated Sikeston 45-24. Sikeston winners were Josh Holmes (125), Daniel Klimmek (130), Andy Croxford (189) and Shawn Cooper (112).

Sikeston's junior varsity (1-4) will participate in the Jackson JV Tournament on Saturday.