For Jarad Sheppard, it was a chance to save a season.
The Hillsboro 195-pounder lost in the semifinals of the Class 3 state tournament Friday night. After a season as one of the state's most dominating wrestlers, a 10-1 loss to Hashem Omari of Oak Park was tough to process. Potentially even tougher: Shelving the season's biggest disappointment and answering the bell Saturday morning for the third- and fifth-place matches.
The Saturday matches can be a tough turnaround, but Sheppard welcomed the early wakeup call and the chance to finish on a winning note.
"Yesterday I failed in the semifinals so I was glad to have a chance to redeem myself," he said.
Sheppard closed the year at 52-2, hardly a season that screams "redeem me." But the Hillsboro junior hated the idea of giving up on a terrific season, hated the idea of letting one disappointment become two more disappointments.
"I didn't want to regret it in a week," he said.
Sheppard heads home with no regrets. The Hillsboro standout posted back-to-back wins on Saturday to finish third.
"It feels great," he said. "This is my first (state) medal in high school," he said.
SUMMIT FINISHES IN STYLE
The third- and fifth-place matches aren't everyone's cup of tea, but Summit coach Brent Batchellor said the season has a different feel when you walk out of Mizzou Arena with a few wins in your pocket and a smile on your face.
Summit lost a couple tough Class 3 matches Friday - Rudy May (195) lost in the semifinals and Ian McIntosh (160) and Kris Bolton (285) lost in the quarters - but the Falcons went 4-2 on Saturday with McIntosh winning twice to finish third and May and Bolton closed with wins in their fifth-place tests.
"It was a nice finish, Batchellor said.
EARLY MEDAL-WINNERS
Following is a rundown of area wrestlers who placed third through sixth at Mizzou Arena Saturday afternoon:
CLASS 1
Third place: Herculaneum's Kyle Kunz (195); Herculaneum's Brian Duncan (285).
Fourth place: Brentwood's David Rivera (285).
Fifth place: Whitfield's Stephen Scobee (220).
Sixth place: Herculaneum's Billy Duncan (160).
CLASS 2
Third place: Westminster's Bennett Lewis (220).
Fourth place: McCluer South-Berkeley's Wardell Morgan (126).
Fifth place: Winfield's John Bobeen (113); McCluer South-Berkeley's Darrion Current (220).
Sixth place: MICDS' Peter Schlafly (182).
CLASS 3
Third place: Pacific's Austin Repp (145); Summit's Ian McIntosh (160); Warrenton's J.J. Fillipek (182); Hillsboro's Jarad Sheppard (195); Hillsboro's Josh Maberry (220).
Fourth place: Warrenton's Ryan Sherry (113); Washington's Cole Hamai (132); Hillsboro's Luke Reeves (138).
Fifth place: Pacific's Jeff Miller (126); Summit's Rudy May (195); Summit's Kris Bolton (285).
Sixth place: Hazelwood East's Akintunde Odunleye (182); Fort Zumwalt North's Nathan Helmig (285).
CLASS 4
Third place: Seckman's Danny Farrell (126); Seckman's Matt Kraus (132); Lafayette's Nick Olejnik (138); Francis Howell Central's John Wood (145); Timberland's Jake Hawks (170).
Fourth place: Seckman's Luke Weiland (113); McCluer North's Darrell Pampkin (126); Lafayette's Ryan Jones (132); Timberland's Dustin Gray (152); Fox's Dominic Vitale (170).
Fifth place: Holt's Lawton Benna (113); Fort Zumwalt West's James Krischke (126); Timberland's Colton Orlando (132); Troy's Dustin Heisse (182); Hazelwood West's Daniel Vaughn (285).
Sixth place: CBC's Bay Roehr (106); Francis Howell North's Tyler (120); Marquette's Thomas Makowsky (132); CBC's Alec Maglione (138), Eureka's Luke Gentry (160); McCluer North's Gordon Phillips (182); Francis Howell Central's Cole Anderson (220); Mehlville's Jimmy Sellers (285).
