St. Charles, Missouri - Twenty youth wrestlers from Dexter, Missouri competed in the AAU Missouri State Wrestling Championship this past weekend at the St. Charles High School. Six athletes wrestled in the Experienced Division and ourteen wrestled in the Rookie Division. Of those athletes, 13 placed at the state level.
Among the medalists were two State Champions, Travis Waldner and Kasen Forkum.
Travis earned a 2016 Missouri AAU State Wrestling Championship medal and is in the 8th grade at T.S. Hill Middle School. He wrestled in the 95 lb weight division. Waldner competed in the experienced division and went undefeated in the AAU Season. That achievement is a feat not many have ever accomplished. He is the son of Bob and Kimberly Waldner.
"I had the pleasure of witnessing Bob and Kim smiling from ear to ear as Travis took his place at the top of the podium," stated Coach Joey Tinsley.
Kasen earned the 2016 Missouri AAU State Wrestling Champion medal and is a 4th grade student at Central Elementary in Dexter. He wrestled in the 60 lb weight rookie division. This was his first year of AAU and he had a great season. He is the son of Nicole Sielert.
"Kasen wrestled hard in about a half dozen tournaments this year with very few loses," stated Tinsley. "It was good to see hi mom with tears of joy in her eyes as her boy took his place on top of the podium."
Also placing at State in their respective experience/age and weight divisions include:
Alex Townsend 105 lb weight class - 4th place Experienced Division
Bryson Wick 175 lb weight class - 2nd place Rookie Division
Blake Tinsley 152 lb weight class - 2nd place Rookie Division
Jacob Huey 92 lb Midget Division - 3rd place Rookie Division
Ethan Glaus 100 lb Midget Division - 4th place Rookie Division
Atom Dowdy 75 lb Novice Weight - 4th place Rookie Division
Austin Stieferman 108 lb Novice Weight - 4th place Rookie Division
Corey Hawkins 130 lb School Boy Division - 4th place Rookie Division
Alexander Dyle 75 lb Midget - 5th place Rookie Division
Diego McCormick 70 lb Novice - 5th place Rookie Division
Tanner Massey Heavy Weight Phantom Division - 6th place Rookie Division
"The coaching staff and parents of the Dexter youth Wrestling Club and Team Venom are extremely proud of all the hard work these youths have put in this season and hope to have many more successful ones," Tinsley said of this year's season.
The Dexter Youth Wrestling AAU Club is hosting an entry level program starting March 8th with their first practice. If you would like to get your child active in the sport please contact Joey Tinsley at (573) 614-2683 for more information.
