GOODSON STEAMROLLS TO 35-0

JACKSON, Mo. -- The word satisfaction is not in Ray Goodson's vocabulary.

Even after pushing his record to 35-0 and even after dominating every wrestler he faced in the 215-pound class at the Class 4A, District 1 Tournament, the Jackson wrestler thought he could do better.

"I was hoping to pin out," said Goodson grinning ear to ear.

Even in the championship match, Goodson at times threw around Mehlville's Kirk Braun like a sack of potatoes. Braun was 36-3 heading into the match and Goodson beat him 19-4.

Before that, Goodson pinned his first opponent in 3:34 and needed just 1:01 to pin Oakville's Jeremy Horman in the semifinals.

"I thought he would probably do that," Jackson coach Steve Wachter said. "He's been pretty dominant."

Goodson was one of four Jackson district champions Saturday as the Indians took second place with 172.50 points, 7.5 points behind Fox. Jackson had 10 wrestlers finish in the top four, which is the qualifying standard for next Saturday's sectional meet at Parkway South.

Cape Central, which had two champions and four qualifiers, took seventh place with 72 points.

Going for records

With Goodson improving to 35-0 and with Brett Stroud's championship win at 130 pounds, Jackson's single-season win record of 38 is in peril. Stroud improved to 31-3 on the year with his 8-5 decision over Oakville's Rick Liable.

"I'm proud of both those guys," said Wachter. "For as good as those two wrestlers are, this is their first district championship. They've won sectionals, but never districts."

The other champions for Jackson were freshmen. Brock Howard took first at 103 pounds and Michael Wright won at 119.

Other sectional qualifiers for the Indians -- the top four advance -- were Ricky Feiner (135, second), James Love (152, second), Willie Southerland (160, third), Mark Wade (171, third), Seth Harrell (189, second) and Luke Wade (Hwt, second).

Rival linebackers

Harrell and Cape Central's O.J. Turner were pitted for the district title at 189 pounds.

Both athletes were talented middle linebackers for their respective school's football teams.

Turner won the match 15-7, but it was only 8-6 going into the third period.

But Harrell, who was seeded fourth, finished better than expected.

"Seth Harrell did a great job," Wachter said. "His work ethic has been outstanding."

"That was the third time O.J. wrestled Seth this year," said Cape Central coach Josh Crowell. "Seth is very competitive. You can't ever go in thinking you've got it won. O.J. got after it and won."

Disappointing finish

Going into the meet, Crowell set a goal to get six to eight through to sectionals, but the Tigers only qualified four -- including champions Turner and Leland Woelk (145).

"I'm upset for some kids who I thought would make it," Crowell said, "but I'm extremely happy with the four that got through."

Trever Duncan took third place at 152 and Nick Harter took fourth in the highly competitive 171 class.