Mexico freshman Grant Van Horn carried a successful freshman season into some summer success.

Following a year he finished fourth at the Class 2 state wrestling championships, VanHorn finished first in the 157-pound weight class July 16 at the Southern Boone Summer Folkstyle Tournament in Ashland and then finished first in his bracket July 23 at the Show-Me State Games in Columbia.

Van Horn began his tournament with a 13-5 major decision victory against Jaiden Michael from DC Gold in Baldwin City, Kansas, and then ended his day with a 17-0 technical fall win against DC Gold’s Brayden Hirschmann to finish atop the three-person podium.

Upcoming high school grappler Matthew Pfeifer competed in the six-person 106-113 weight class, losing by technical fall, decision and pinfall before dropping the final two bouts by forfeit.

At the Show-Me State Games, Van Horn wrestled to a record of 3-0.

Mexico boys wrestling head coach Gayle Adams said Van Horn was motivated after his solid first season as a Bulldog.

“Grant has put work in this summer to improve placing fourth as a freshman as fuel a fire for him,” Adams said. “Grant has some big goals, and as a coaching staff, we will work with him to see him reach his big goals.”

A season ago, Van Horn finished fourth in the 132-pound weight class at the state tournament, winning decisions by scores of 5-2, 3-0 and 4-3 before losing the third-place match 1-0 to Ste. Genevieve’s Gavin Cross.