Tigers 6th at 15th annual Holiday Invitational

The Tigers Wrestlers hosted their 15th annual Holiday Invitational Tournament December 19-20. The squad placed 6th, their highest finish since taking 7th place in 2006 and 2004. Dylan Case captured his second gold medal in as many weeks, going undefeated in 8 matches during the tourney. Dylan is now 18-0 on the season. Senior Andrew Lattner and Junior Spencer Courier placed 4th. Junior Justin Bruce and Freshman Jesse Morris placed 5th. Junior Josh Howard and Sophomore Steven Kingsolver placed 6th.

The Tigers were open at 119 pounds. The team combined for 55 wins and 29 losses - a .655 winning percentage. Bonus points again played a significant factor in where the team finished. 30 of the Tigers' 55 wins included bonus team points with 5 majors, a tech and 24 falls! That's 55% of the Tigers' contested matches (does not include 13 matches forfeited to them) which provided bonus team points. With Francis Howell and Troy finishing only 7 points behind, it's not hard to realize what a huge difference those extra 38.5 points (earned for working extra hard and smart on the mat) can make.

Francis Howell Central took the team trophy home and Blackfoot, ID finished 2nd after winning last year Liberty placed 3rd and Jefferson City 4th.

Coach Graham introduced a special guest for the finals - World Champion Greco-Roman and Olympic wrestler Spenser Mango. Spenser was on hand to watch his little brother Ryan, who won the championship at 125#.
results / photos

Tigers suffer loss to Blue Springs

The Tigers suffered their second dual loss of the season to a Wildcat team ranked 2nd in the state and including ten ranked wrestlers. They wrestled their opponents very tough and only gavae up 7 team bonus points, besides spotting them 12 points on two open weights.
results / photos

Tigers take 3rd at Bronco Invitational

Tigers Wrestling placed all 13 wrestlers they brought to the 2008 Lee's Summit North Bronco Invitational on their to way a 3rd place team finish. Junior Dylan Case went undefeated, including 3 falls and a major, on his way to securing first place. Junior Spencer Courier pinned his way to the championship before suffering his first loss and taking 2nd place. Sophomore Steven Kingsolver had 4 pins on his way to the championship before bringing home 2nd place. Unseeded Junior Justin Bruce upset seeded and state-ranked wrestlers on his way to a 3rd place finish. Senior Corey Lockwood had 2 falls and 2 tech-falls on his way to 3rd place. Senior Andrew Lattner and Junior Josh Packard finished 4th. Junior Josh Howard and Freshmen Jesse Morris and Josh Aguilar all finished 5th. Sophomore Nick Mahon placed 6th and Freshman Adam Lemmer finished 7th.

The story behind their team success, besides the obvious one of placing 13 grapplers on the strength of a 68% winning percentage for all matches wrestled (a 62-29 record), may well be the bonus points scored. By one count, the Tigers scored bonus team points in 66% of their matches, including fofeits. Take away those free passes and that percentage remains over 50%, including 24 falls, 3 tech-falls and 5 majors. Without those 56.5 bonus points, the Tigers would have just barely placed 3rd by about 5 points, instead of nearly taking second. That's a huge credit to the coaching staff and the aggresssive style of wrestling, hard work and extra conditioning the team has bought in to.
results / photos

New Attendance Record set at Iowa v. Iowa State

Coach Graham, his sons Austin and Thomas, and I traveled to the mecca of wrestling, Carver-Hawkeye Arena at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Saturday to watch #1 Iowa host #2 Iowa State. It was an amazing night as we were part of 15,955 fans decked in black yelling for the Hawkeyes who set a new collegiate wrestling dual attendance record by over 300, and cheering the Hawkeyes to a 20-15 win.  The referees on the night were Kansas City's own Mike Hagerty and Gary Mayabb.  We sat 10 rows behind the personification of wrestling, Dan Gable, who graciously signed the boys' t-shirts, shook hands and pontificated on the outcome.
results / photos / videos

Tigers Drop Dual to Platte County

The Tigers traveled to Platte County for their 2nd dual of the season, losing 24-46 to a very tough Pirate team with consecutive state championship goals. Senior Andrew Lattner (160#), junior Spencer Courier (125#) and freshman Jesse Morris (112#) recorded their second pin in as many matches of the young season while junior Dylan Case (215#) and freshman Josh Aguilar (145#) picked up their second victory of the season. All 5 are undefeated so far.    results

Tigers Wallop Truman in Season Opener

The Tigers got their claws wet in roaring fashion at the season opener, beating Truman 54-24. Of the 10 matches contested, Tiger wrestlers won them all. Most importantly, they scored bonus team points in 9 of the matches. Tigers wins included 7 pins, a tech fall and one major. Not only the Tigers as a team, but each individual wrestler has opened the season with a win. Beyond that, 3 freshman - Alex Swartz at 135#, Josh Aguilar at 140# and Jesse Morris at 112# - opened their high school career with not only wins, but with falls. Alex Swartz had the added duty of opening the dual competition on the night. Seniors Corey Lockwood at 152# and Andrew Lattner at #160, Juniors Josh Howard at 171# and Spencer Courier at 125# also recorded pins. The only points put on the board by the Patriots were for the 4 open weights on the Tigers roster.
    results / photos