Dexter, Missouri - The Bearcat wrestling team was in action at home again last night as the Cape Notre Dame and Poplar Bluff wrestling teams visited the Dexter High School gymnasium.  The Bearcats split with the two teams, dominating the Bulldogs 63-18, and narrowly losing to the Mules 42-33. 

Coach James Sneed was pleased with the performance of his athletes overall on the evening and continues to see their hard work and dedication to be paying off for the team.

"I thought we competed hard tonight and went down to the wire with Poplar Bluff," said Coach Sneed.  "the kids really did a good job fighting from being on their back."

The lightweight Brandon Twomey provided  excitement on the evening in a strong battle against Bailey Alford of Poplar Bluff.  Brandon was able to take advantage of a move made by his opponent and pin the Mules wrestler at the 5:20 mark of the match.

The 138 and 145 weight classes continue to be an exciting set of matches as junior Trevor Waldner and freshman Ethan Stevens are very skilled on the mat against opponents.  Both Waldner and Stevens remain undefeated early in the 2012-13 season.

Keith Craft found his way to the varsity level last night in the heavyweight class, as Damion Glasener was sidelined with an illness.  Craft took advantage of the opportunity and recorded his first varsity win in the Notre Dame match by pinning Bulldog Sam Moses at just over 1 minute into the contest.

"There were a few matches that I thought we should have won but didn't,"  Sneed commented.  "But the kids did a good job battling."

"I told the kids that the program is up and coming for sure," noted Sneed.  "But we need to beat a Sikeston or 'Bluff to go to the next level, and until we do, we will just have to keep plugging along."  The Bearcats are very young, but have been prepared by the extra efforts afforded by participation in the middle school program in recent years.