~SHS senior out of running for state title, can still finish third
COLUMBIA -- Sikeston senior Gavilan Bland saw his chance at a state title dashed Friday afternoon after losing a 6-5 decision to Dan Schreimann of Warrensburg.
While the loss ended Bland's run at a state title he can still finish as high as third place in the 171 pound division. In his first wrestleback match, Bland pinned Neal Finch of DeSoto in 4:37. Bland then defeated Jon Gurule of Farmington 4-2, who Bland beat last week in the district championship match.
Bland wrestled Brandon Crandall of Neosho Saturday for a chance to wrestle for third place. Results can be found in Monday's edition of the Standard Democrat.
Sikeston freshman Jacob Murphy started the day on a good note, defeating Blake James of Hannibal by a 5-3 decision in the 112 pound division. His then lost a 7-1 decision to Blake Wenzel of Jefferson City Helias, ending his state tournament.
Dexter's Mikey Henley also lost his chance at a state title in the 119 pound division when he was pinned in the quarterfinals by Nathan Fortner of Seneca.
Henley then saw his state tournament come to an end when he was pinned in his wrestleback match by Alex Larson of Fort Zumwalt East.