PH South seniors leave their mark at state, on program

As Park Hill South coach Dan Dunkin reflected on his team’s performance at the 2013 Missouri State Wrestling Championships, there was somewhat of a bittersweet tone in his voice. The senior class that had set all the school records and just wrapped up the programs highest state finish as a team with their 83 team points and fifth place finish in the state’s largest class, had officially finished their high school careers.

“It’s been a special group,” Dunkin said. “I’ve about lost it a couple times today watching them wrestle their final matches.”

After advancing four wrestlers to the semifinals of the state tournament, senior Alex Fortuna (116 lb) would be the only Panther to advance to a state title match. Fortuna, unranked heading into state, caught fire at the district tournament last weekend and didn’t let up.

“From districts on, he’s been an animal and started to believe he could wrestle really tough kids. He wrestled lights out,” Dunkin said.

While Fortuna’s momentum got him to a final match, it wasn’t enough to carry him over as Park Hill’s KeShawn Hayes would eventually walk away with a convincing title match victory. Nonetheless, Fortuna’s unexpected run through the tournament and second place finish ties teammate Chase Gray for the highest individual finish in program history. Gray placed second last year in the 182 weight class.

“I knew I had a very winnable draw and took advantage of it. I kept my weight down and made sure I was focused,” Fortuna said. “I was a big underdog and just came out and did my best with it being my senior year. It’s awesome to think about.”

Many of Park Hill South’s team points came after a handful of wrestlers lost matches and battled their way up the backside of the bracket to claim medals at third, fourth, fifth, or sixth place. They included Jimmy Carpenter (4^th), Adam Weatherly (3^rd), Alex Weatherly (6^th), Kenric Cook (6^th), and Chase Gray (3^rd).

“We crawled and scrapped our way back in the wrestle backs,” Dunkin said. “We wrestled close and well in all our matches, just couldn’t get to that big one.”

While three-time team captain Chase Gray wasn’t able to get a second chance at a state title from last year, he did win his final match for third place to go out on top. He talked about how as a team, Park Hill South went above and beyond what anyone had thought, even though they missed taking home a fourth place trophy by mere points.

“It was great. I’m sure the coaches couldn’t be any happier with where we finished. Everyone wrestled to their fullest. We just barely missed out on a plaque,” Gray said. “I think we exceeded everyone’s expectations. At the beginning of the year, people didn’t even have us in the Top Ten in the state. Now I know they think differently about Park Hill South.”

Asked if they have had the chance to talk amongst their teammates about how much this season and their careers have meant to them, they talked about their achievements as well as their team chemistry.

“It means a lot,” Fortuna said. “We’re one of the best teams to go through South. Six medalists today, which is a new record. Our team bonding was just amazing.”

Dunkin says he’ll miss this particular senior class, not only for their talent on the mat, but the traits they’ll be able to apply going forward. Not all of his wrestlers will go on to compete in college, but believes they all will see success after wrestling.

“All these guys are scholarly and business-like guys,” Dunkin said. “They have bright futures in whatever they want to do.”