Area wrestling sends super eight to state

Five wrestlers from Dexter’s boys team and three from Poplar Bluff have advanced to next week’s state finals after their performances at this weekend’s district tournaments.

For the Mules, Logan Hite (165) and Lucas Robertson (150) claimed individual weight class titles while Dace Wisdom (144) finished in fourth place to lead the Poplar Bluff representation out of Jackson to Columbia and the state finals next weekend.

Hite recorded his 100th career win with the championship victory. Robertson also hit a milestone – win 150 – when he captured his weight’s top prize. Robertson is a three-time state qualifier while Hite makes a second trip.

The Mules finished ninth overall as a team.

“It was a very good day winning two district titles - we have not won multiple district titles in the same year and for probably 20 years maybe more,” Poplar Bluff head coach Kelton Thompson said. “I am very happy for Dace as well he wrestled hard to advance to the state tournament. Daine (Dugas) and Hudson (Matthewss) our other seniors wrestled hard but fell short - we appreciate all the work they have put in.

“We are looking forward to preparing for the state tournament this upcoming week and are not near finished as we are seeking state medals.”

Dexter finished seventh at Ste. Gen with 77.5 points and got an individual title from Eric Harmon (32-5) when he claimed the top prize at 132. It is Harmon’s second individual district title in his career.

Kasen Forkum (150) took third in his weight class, while Conrad Purnell (126), Ryan Young (144), and Kolin Simpson (285) all finished four to all advance to Columbia.

“We wrested outstanding (this weekend),” Dexter head coach Cody Boyer said. “Even though some kids didn't make it through to state, they wrestled well. Chase Berry lost a heartbreaking match with 10 seconds left. Wyatt Hockersmith wrestled a tough match. James DeBerry won a match yesterday that helped us. We finished 7th out of 15. Very proud of our wrestlers and our crowd that was there - Parents, grandparents, and former Bearcat wrestlers. We appreciate them all.”