WRESTLERS TO GRAPPLE FOR BRAGGING RIGHTS AT 25TH TIGER CLASSIC

December is the month for tournaments in Cape Girardeau.

There is the prestigious 16-team University High Christmas boys basketball tournament and there is the HealthSouth Holiday Classic for girls basketball teams.

But neither of those tournaments draw from a larger area than the Tiger Classic, a 16-team high school wrestling event which draws wrestlers from three states.

The opening rounds of the 25th annual tournament will get underway at 6 tonight with the championship quarterfinals to follow. On Saturday, action will get underway at 11 a.m. with the championship and third-place matches to take place at about 6.

"This is one of the premier tournaments in the state," said Cape Central coach Josh Crowell. "Schools are always contacting us and wanting to get into it. Winning this tournament says something."

Ste. Genevieve has been saying the somethings' for the past two years.

The Dragons are favored to win again as returning two-time state champion Clint Wolk will grapple at 135 pounds and Adam and Nick Vogt are returning Tiger Classic champions in their respective weight classes.

As far as the local schools, Crowell would like to see his Tigers finish in the upper half, while Jackson coach Steve Wachter is hoping for a finish in the top four.

Jackson took fourth last year, just a half-point behind Lindbergh. Cape Central finished seventh.

"This year, I'd be happy in the top half," Crowell said. "We're a bit down this year, but we've had some kids step up. Being in the top half would be realistic. Anything above that, I would be ecstatic. But you never know. We keep scores for a reason. If we didn't, we could hand out the trophies now."

Cape Central has just one senior this year in Josh Goodrich. Goodrich took fourth place last year at 140 and is at 145 this year. Leland Woelk will also give Central a chance at the fifth seed at 140.

"Everyone else (who did well last year) either graduated or is injured," he said. "I've got several kids who have good seeds (this year) and I'm expecting them to live up to their seeds."

Crowell is especially expecting good things from O.J. Turner at 171, who is the No. 2 seed.

"O.J. has a tremendous amount of athletic ability and he can do anything if he puts his mind to it," said Crowell. "And that's true for him in athletics, academics and life."

For Jackson, Wachter is looking for big things from J.P. Sides at 103, Ricky Feiner at 112, Brett Stroud at 125, Cyle Huck at 130, Adam Wachter at 140, Josh Deneke at 145, Mark Wade at 160 and Willie Sutherland at 171.

"Just by looking at the brackets, I would pick Ste. Gen to win it," Wachter said. "They're strong every year. And Murphysboro (Ill.) has a strong team too. Seckman, Northwest House Springs, Francis Howell Central and Lindbergh will all be tough. We might have a shot to be in the top four if we wrestle like we're capable of."

In addition to the aforementioned schools, De Soto, Dexter, Pattonville, Poplar Bluff, St. Charles, Sikeston, Marion (Ill.), and Germantown (Tenn.) will also compete.

"The toughest weight class this year I'd say would be 140," Crowell said. "That will be a dogfight. There's not much difference between the No. 2 and No. 8 seed. It'll come down to who wants it the most."

TIGER CLASSIC

Cape Central

De Soto

Dexter

Francis Howell Central

Germantown (Tenn.)

Jackson

Lindbergh

Marion (Ill.)

Murphysboro (Ill.)

Northwest House Springs

Pattonville

Poplar Bluff

St. Charles

Ste. Genevieve

Seckman

Sikeston