By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

DeSoto MO, Feb 12, 2011 The weekend was highly successful for the Dexter Bearcat Wrestling Team at the District Wrestling Championships in DeSoto Missouri. As the competition was winding down, the Bearcats had qualified four (4) wrestlers for the Missouri State Championship next weekend in Columbia, Missouri.

Entering the second day of the tournament, the Bearcats found themselves just one-half point out of second place overall with a team score of 74 points to St. Clair's team total of 74.5. St. Genevieve held a commanding first place lead of 89 team points.

The wrestleback or "follow the leader" format of the tournament was first on the schedule today where several Bearcats had an opportunity to battle back through the brackets after suffering a loss the first day of the tournament. Wrestlers who lose to another championship bracket loser is at that point out of the tournament.

During the third round of wrestlebacks, Jones-130, Stoner-152 and Quertermous-189 were eliminated from the tournament by suffering losses by decision and by fall. However, the Bearcats were brought a several wins to the matt in wrestlebacks by Ryan Vanover-140 by decision, Brad Wick-171 by fall and Ben Rodgers-215 by fall.

Four Bearcat wrestlers remained in the championship bracket Saturday with Trevor Waldner, Dylan Hardin, Cody Stevens and Zach Lacy ready to pursue a championship. Stevens emerged as the only semi-finals winner in his 160 pound weight class looking for a championship match.

In the consolation semi-final matches, the Bearcats advanced Waldner, Hardin and Lacy on to a final match to wrestle for 3rd place. Trevor Waldner-119 won by fall, Dylan Hardin won by decision and Zach Lacy-HWT won by fall. Unfortunately the Bearcats saw losses by Vanover-140 by major decision 14-6, Wick-171 by fall and Rodgers-215 by decision. .

The final matches of the weekend found 2nd Seed Cody Stevens battling for a Championship while three other Bearcat Grapplers were still hanging on for a 3rd Place Finish. Full of excitement, all four Bearcats left mat with their hand raised victorious, collecting one District Champion in Cody Steven in the 160 pound weight class and three third place medals by Waldner, Hardin and Lacy. Trevor won by a techfall, Hardin by major decision and Lacy with an overtime victory by a score of 2-1.

The Bearcat wrestling program dates back over 30 years and has continued to grow in both numbers and successes. This can be attributed to the extra effort of our coaching staff of Rick Schwab and James Sneed. They are committed to the development of the Bearcat program through many AAU and civic wrestling programs held in our community. Their dedication and hard work is what delivers Championship weekends as this.

“It has been a great season with all our wrestlers,” Coach Rick Schwab said. “but to top the season with a district champion in Cody Stevens and 3 other State Qualifiers has just topped it all. I'm very proud of the boys.”

The Bearcat wrestlers will travel to the University of Missouri-Columbia this week to compete in the MSHAA State Championship held at the Mizzou Arena. The tournament begins for Class 3 Boys Wrestling on Thursday, February 17th with Quarterfinals on Friday Afternoon and Championships matches on Saturday.

Coach Submitted Article Via Text and Email! "Putting The U Back in CommUnity ... THE SHOWME TIMES"

Photos above Top Photo: District Champion of the 160 pound weight class Cody Stevens receiving his 1st Place Medal in DeSoto.

Middle & Bottom photo: Zach Lacy shown on the mat battling Baynes for Hancock High School. Lacy won that match by decision in overtime by a score of 2 to 1.