PHS wrestling takes ninth, places two

Advancing six wrestlers to the state tournament last year for Park Hill South was an achievement of its own, but this year advancing was not the question. It was how many would qualify and what they would do with it once they got there that counted most. This was the mantra Coach Dan Dunkin and his Panthers had throughout the year and once the final medals were handed out, they had moved the program one leap forward, resulting in South’s best finish in school history.

“Clearly, we did better than last year,” Dunkin said. “If you watch our matches, we’re all going after people and definitely improving. Most of our guys are juniors so hopefully next year it gets even better.”

While Dunkin knows their 50.5 team points, good for ninth in Class 4, weren’t nearly enough to bring home a top four trophy, Park Hill South did bring home a fifth place medal at 195 as senior Nick Gillespie finished out his career with a victory. Gillespie pinned his first opponent of the tournament in just 1:27. Despite falling in the quarterfinals, he battled back by winning two of his next three matches, capping it off a pin in the fifth place round to reserve his place at the final podium.

Perhaps the highlight for Park Hill South was Chase Gray’s second place finish at 182. Gray won several tough matches in impressive fashion on his way to the title match, but wasn’t able to secure the state title falling 5-0. The second place finish accounts for Park Hill South’s highest individual finish in school history and the first to compete in a title match.

While Park Hill South had five wrestlers win in the first round, they hit some roadblocks in the quarterfinals. Nonetheless, several Panthers battled back for wins in the wrestle-back rounds, which contributed to the team point totals. Easier said than done on the state’s highest wrestling stage.

“We ran into some obstacles, but most got one or two wins,” Dunkin said. “They wrestled tough, but everyone down here is tough.”

Other Park Hill South wrestlers competing at the Missouri State Wrestling Championship last weekend were Alex Fortuna (1-2), Jimmy Carpenter (0-2), Justin Haughenberry (2-1), Kendic Cook (0-2), Adam Weatherly (1-2), and George Barth (1-2).