COLUMBIA — The 2022 MSHSAA Wrestling Championships started Thursday afternoon in Columbia.
After the wrestling championships saw the state tournament move to Independence last year due to COVID-19, the tournament was back at Mizzou Arena.
“It feels right,” head coach Randy Roark said about being back. “I have been here a lot of years, and it is a neat place with a great environment. Although, I did enjoy Kansas City last year.”
Bringing 18 state qualifiers, the Lebanon Yellowjackets performed well on day one of the tournament.
The team had 13 wrestlers (9 girls, 4 boys) still alive in the tournament on Friday before press time.
Lillian Cottongim, Jessa Joiner, Kaylyn Rogers, Halea Bartel, Bailey Joiner, Taylor Johnson, Jasmine Alley, and Mariyah Brumley all won their first-round matches on Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals on Friday on the girls’ side.
Davis Joiner, Drew Bowling, and Zack Smith won their first-round matches in a tough Class 4. Cade Muscia fell in his opening bout but bounced back with a pin in his wrestle back.
At the end of the first day, the Lady ‘Jackets were first in team points with 34. Northwest (Cedar Hill) was in second with 18 points, and Lafayette (Wildwood) found themselves in third with 16 team points.
The boys’ team recorded 11 team points on day one, ending in 15th place. Liberty was in the lead with 37 team points, with Staley trailing by 4.5 points.
For more on this story see Saturday's LCR.
