DE SOTO • After suffering a neck injury early this winter, De Soto's Dalton Adams' road to the Class 2 District 1 meet Saturday at De Soto was a long one.
"I was out of shape in the beginning of the season because I hurt it in practice," the Dragons' junior said. "I was determined to work extra hard to make it back."
The work paid off, as Dalton won the 132-pound weight class by pinning Sumner's Courtney Williams in 3:49. Dalton (32-14) was one of seven Dragons to advance to the state meet.
"A month ago, I would have told you we'd probably get two through to state at the most," De Soto coach John Brown said. "I'm pretty shocked. I was nice to see three kids get to championship matches."
De Soto sophomore Aaron Minx defeated Trever Waldner of Dexter 11-2 for the Dragons' other title. In De Soto's other championship match at 195 pounds, De Soto senior Colin Bothel was pinned by Dakota Bush of St. Clair in 4:37.
De Soto finished third with 131 points. Ste. Genevieve ran away with the team title with 179.5 points. It was the eighth straight district title for Ste. Genevieve, which advanced nine to the state meet.
"They have a tradition that just keeps lasting," Brown said. "My hats off to Coach (Jared) Bonnell and his staff."
Owensville was second with 148 points. St. Clair was fourth with 127, followed by Windsor (124) and Dexter (109.5). Other area finishers include Sumner (96.5), Affton (36.5), Miller Career Academy (32), Vashon (27.5) and Festus (13.5).
Other Dragons who advanced include heavyweight Lucas Fann, whose third-period pin in the night's final match boosted De Soto into third; Alex Waggoner (106); Cody Dedear (113) and Zach Binkinz (138).
Adams, who pinned Williams in the last meeting as well, said all he had to do was stay aggressive.
"He usually wears out in the second period, and that's when I just wait and then move in," Adams said.
Adams was hoping to take on No. 1 seeded Morgan Dean of Dexter, but Williams upended Dean in the semifinals with a first-period pin.
Sumner coach Anthony Mitchell said Williams (29-6) will be back.
"This time he fought back," Mitchell said. "Maybe he will get another shot at him at state. It's hard to beat a kid three times."
Windsor, which will send five wrestlers to the state tourney, got a pair of titles. Junior Tyler Warren (145) improved to 46-8 by pinning Sumner's Donte Brownlee in 2:21, and Cody Miller (170) ran his record to 37-10 with a 9-4 decision over Casey Philpot of Sullivan.
Windsor coach Kevin Stoffey said Warren looked especially strong.
"He's had a lot of mat time," Stoffey said. "He's done a lot of work in the offseason, and hopefully it will pay off for him next week."
Sumner's Frederick Claxton (138) won the only other area title. He improved to 24-3 with an 11-6 decision over Josh Howell of Sullivan, who entered the meet with a 40-4 mark.
DE SOTO • After suffering a neck injury early this winter, De Soto's Dalton Adams' road to the Class 2 District 1 meet on Saturday at De Soto was a long one.
"I was out of shape in the beginning of the season because I hurt it in practice," said the Dragons' junior. "I was determined to work extra hard to make it back."
The work paid off as Dalton won the 132-pound weight class by pinning Sumner's Courtney Williams in 3:49. A surprise winner who improved to 32-14, Dalton was one of seven Dragons to advance to the state meet.
"A month ago I would have told you we'd probably get two through to state at the most," said De Soto coach John Brown. "I'm pretty shocked. I was nice to see three kids get to championship matches."
De Soto sophomore Aaron Minx defeated Trever Waldner of Dexter 11-2 for the Dragons' other title. In De Soto's other championship match at 195 pounds, De Soto senior Colin Bothel was pinned by fell to Dakota Bush of St. Clair in 4:37.
De Soto finished third with 131 points. Ste. Genevieve ran away with the team title, finishing with 179.5 points. It was the eighth straight district title for Ste. Genevieve, which advanced nine to the state meet.
"They have a tradition that just keeps lasting," Brown said. "My hats off to Coach (Jared) Bonnell and his staff."
Owensville was second with 148 points. St. Clair was fourth with 127, followed by Windsor (124) and Dexter (109.5). Other area finishers included Sumner (96.5), Affton (36.5), Miller Career Academy (32), Vashon (27.5) and Festus (13.5).
Other Dragons who advanced include heavyweight Lucas Fann, whose third-period pin in the night's final match boosted De Soto into third; Alex Waggoner (106), Cody Dedear (113) and Zach Binkinz (138).
Adams, who pinned him in the last meeting as well, said all he had to do was stay aggressive.
"He usually wears out in the second period," Adams said, "and that's when I just wait and then move in."
Adams was hoping to take on the No. 1 seed, Morgan Dean of Dexter, but Williams upended Dean in the semifinals with a first-period pin.
Sumner coach Anthony Mitchell said Williams, who fell to 29-6, will be back.
"This time he fought back," Mitchell said. "Maybe he will get another shot at him at state. It's hard to beat a kid three times."
Windsor, which will send five wrestlers to the state tourney, got a pair of titles. Junior Tyler Warren (145) improved to 46-8 by pinning Sumner's Donte Brownlee in 2:21, and Cody Miller (170) ran his record to 37-10 with a 9-4 decision over Casey Philpot of Sullivan.
Windsor coach Kevin Stoffey said Warren looked especially strong.
"He's had a lot of mat time," Stoffey said. "He's done a lot of work in the offseason, and hopefully it will pay off for him next week."
Sumner's Frederick Claxton (138) won the only other area title. He improved to 24-3 with an 11-6 decision over Josh Howell of Sullivan, who entered the meet with a 40-4 mark.
