FINAL REPORT from COLUMBIA, MO - The Championship round of the Missouri High School Wrestling Tournament got underway this morning with the Dexter Bearcats' Cody Stevens in a contest to advance to the third place match. Cody's performance has been incredible in the tournament with only one loss yesterday in the winners' bracket. That loss pushed him to the wrestleback system.

Cody's opening match was against Gabe Suthof, a 5'10" 160 pound Junior from Clinton High School. This contest was between two top multi-sport high school athletes with Cody, the non-typical power running quarterback for Dexter and Gabe Suthoff, the hard charging running back from Clinton.

But this match was short for our Bearcat as Cody got in a position and was unable to escape early in the match. He was pinned at the 58 second mark of the first period.

This afternoon, Cody was matched against Mexico High School contender, Montario Burton. This was the final match that would determine the 5th place medalist in the Class 3A 160# weight division. A true battle to the end, Stevens was pinned in the 3rd period by Burton who captured his 5th place finish. The Bearcat wrestling program was able to take four wrestlers to the State Championship this weekend. Treavor Waldner, Dylan Hardin and Zach Lacey were eliminated in the first round of the tournament.

"Overall this has been a successful year. We are truly proud of your Dexter wrestlers and the hard work they gave to us this season", commented Head Wrestling Coach Rick Schwab. "Our kids are dedicated and truly work hard to reach the level of champions".

Cody joins an elite group of past Bearcat wrestlers that have made it to the State Championships and able to leave as a medalist. Congratulations to him for his individual success.

James Sneed, Assistant Wrestling Coach said, "Cody is a great athlete and continues to excel in all his sports. We are proud of him and his finish here in Columbia."

Coach Schwab is very involved in the continued success of the wrestling program at DHS. Currently, there are youth programs that are in place and supported by Coach Schwab and his other coaches that provide teaching and develop of skills to bring about more champions in the future. Contact Rick Schwab for more information about getting involved in these programs.