Foltz secures Notre Dame's first title at Tiger Classic wrestling meet

The Jackson High School wrestling team had a strong performance at the 38th annual Tiger Classic.

That should come as no surprise. The Indians have been perennial powers in the meet hosted by Central, finishing in the top four all but one year since 1990.

The Indians were second for the third consecutive season, thanks to four individual champions.

But a tournament newcomer, a fledgling local program, also made waves as the tournament concluded Saturday at Central Junior High.

Junior Trever Foltz won Notre Dame's first Tiger Classic title during the school's inaugural appearance. The Bulldogs are in just their third year of wrestling.

Notre Dame's Trever Foltz takes control over Northwest's Kyle Benz during their 182-pound championship match at the Tiger Classic on Saturday. Foltz won the match. (Fred Lynch)

"It's exciting," Foltz said. "I was hoping we would get in this tournament."

Foltz, already a two-time state qualifier, made the most of his Tiger Classic debut by recording a 6-4 overtime decision over Kyle Benz of Northwest in the 182-pound final.

The grapplers went to the 1-minute sudden-death overtime period tied 4-4. Foltz recorded a takedown to end the match.

"He was very tough," Foltz said about Benz. "I was just thinking wrestle hard and listen to coach [Marc Stevener]."

Foltz, who improved his season record to 16-0, said he entered the tournament simply hoping to place. That goal changed as his success mounted.

Jackson's Jarrett Reisenbichler, left, and Ste. Genevieve's Ryan Grieshaber battle for control in their 106-pound title match Saturday.

"As the tournament went on, I started getting more confidence in myself," he said. "It's probably one of the biggest accomplishments of my high school career so far."

Joining Foltz on the first-place medal stand were the four Jackson wrestlers who helped the Indians score 325.5 points. Northwest won the 15-team event with 358 points, and Rockwood Summit was third with 205.

Host Central placed eighth for the second consecutive year, and Notre Dame was 11th.

"Considering how young we are, I'm really pleased," said Jackson coach Steve Wachter, whose Tiger Classic lineup featured five freshmen and four sophomores. "We got great effort. And I was happy our three seniors got in the finals."

Jackson winners, all first-year champions, were 106-pound freshman Jarrett Reisenbichler, 132-pound sophomore Tyler Rush, 152-pound senior Jacob Colyott and 170-pound senior Cody Morgan.

Jackson's Jacob Colyott has the advantage over Rockwood Summit's Mitch Mays in their 152-pound championship match Saturday.

Reisenbichler improved to 22-0 with a 12-6 win over Ryan Grieshaber of Ste. Genevieve. His points came on six takedowns as he repeatedly let Grieshaber escape only to invariably take him to the mat again.

"My coaches want me to turn them [his opponents]. They get kind of mad," Reisenbichler said with a laugh. "But my feet is where I'm good at. I let them up and take them down."

Reisenbichler captured the family's second title in two years after older brother Jordan won the 2010 Tiger Classic.

"I'm trying to follow in his footsteps and do even better," Reisenbichler said.

Asked if his championship as a freshman surprised him, Reisenbichler said: "I always expect to win."

Jackson's Cody Morgan has the advantage over Northwest's Cameron Noland in their 170-pound championship match Saturday.

Rush, third in last year's Tiger Classic, pinned Keith Hejnal of Northwest in just 1 minute, 24 seconds.

"I'm surprised. I thought it would go a little longer," Rush said. "I'm excited to win after getting third last year."

Colyott posted a 6-4 decision over Mitch Mays of Rockwood Summit.

"It's exciting," Colyott said. "It was a real tough match, but I feel like I wrestled tough."

Morgan, second a year ago, defeated Cameron Noland of Northwest 6-1.

"After getting second last year, I'm real happy to win," Morgan said. "I always remember coming here with my family to watch this tournament. It's one of the biggest around.

"This was one of my top goals. The other one is to go to state."

Jackson 195-pound senior Ben Rushin finished second after being pinned by Tarique Jefferson of University City in 2:29.

Central 145-pound senior Austin Martin, fourth last year, placed second after dropping a 7-3 decision to J.T. Tuck of Northwest.

"I thought Austin wrestled really well in the tournament," Central coach James Brake said.

Also placing in the top six for Jackson were Kodi Byrd (third, 113), Dylan Rush (third, 145), Preston Hobeck (third, 285), Josh Stone (fourth, 182), Chris Collier (fourth, 220), Clayton Collier (fifth, 138) and Stone Selsor (sixth, 126).

Central's Kyle Myrick was third at 170, while Notre Dame's Alex Elsey finished fifth at 170.

Team totals -- 1. Northwest 358; 2. Jackson 325.5; 3. Rockwood Summit 205; 4. Francis Howell North 190.5; 5. Christian County (Ky.) 178.5; 6. Ste. Genevieve 176; 7. Sikeston 148; 8. Central 147; 9. Dexter 144.5; 10. Rolla 143; 11. Notre Dame 134.5; 12. De Soto 107; 13. Union 106; 14. Mehlville 105; 15. University City 71.

Championship matches

106 -- Jarrett Reisenbichler (Jackson) dec. Ryan Grieshaber (Ste. Genevieve) 12-6.

113 -- Travis Jones (Ste. Genevieve) dec. J.J. Killebrew (Christian County) 9-6.

120 -- Cole Reynolds (Ste. Genevieve) dec. Blake Angle (Sikeston) 1-0.

126 -- Tyler Smith (Francis Howell North) dec. Jordan Starkey (Northwest) 4-2.

132 -- Tyler Rush (Jackson) pin. Keith Hejnal (Northwest) 1:24.

138 -- Kenton Robinson (Sikeston) default over Kevi Matlock (Christian County).

145 -- J.T. Tuck (Northwest) dec. Austin Martin (Central) 7-3.

152 -- Jacob Colyott (Jackson) dec. Mitch Mays (Rockwood Summit) 6-4.

160 -- Zach King (Northwest) default over Ian McIntosh (Rockwood Summit).

170 -- Cody Morgan (Jackson) dec. Cameron Noland (Northwest) 6-1.

182 -- Trever Foltz (Notre Dame) dec. Kyle Benz (Northwest) 6-4 OT.

195 -- Tarique Jefferson (University City) pin. Ben Rushin (Jackson) 2:29.

220 -- Devin Cagle (Northwest) default over. Spenser Matthews (Rockwood Summit).

285 -- Kris Bolton (Rockwood Summit) dec. Daniel Terrana (Ste. Genevieve) 3-1 OT.