Christopher Bryant swept the 182 weight class to remain unbeaten on the season and claim a sectional championship on Saturday in Palmyra. He will be joined in Independence for the state tournament on …
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![Pedro Garduno in action at sectionals in Palmyra. [Submitted photo]](https://epsilon.creativecirclecdn.com/mexicoledger/original/20210723-135401-MMA%20wrestling%20Pedro%204c.jpg)
Christopher Bryant swept the 182 weight class to remain unbeaten on the season and claim a sectional championship on Saturday in Palmyra. He will be joined in Independence for the state tournament on March 10 by Phasakorn Cunningham and Pedro Garduno.
“We had a good day,” said Missouri Military Academy head coach Tom Allen, who brought seven wrestlers to the Class 1 Section 1 tournament.
Bryant has been a handful for opponents all season, going 21-0. On Saturday he took down Riley Barnes of Hallsville by fall at 2:59. He then squared off against Artez May from Lift for Life Academy in a more demanding match.
The two rivals tested each other for three minutes, Bryant countering May’s every move. Nearing the end of the second period, Bryant managed a pin to win the sectional title.
The Colonels’ other qualifiers fought their way back through the consolation rounds. Cunningham picked up an unexpected bye when his first opponent failed to make weight. But he fell to Centralia’s Hunter Phillips in the next round.
In the third place match he took down Kris Weaver of Central in New Madrid County at 2:32.
“He’s been a solid wrestler – someone we can count on,” Allen said of his 195 pounder.
In the heavyweight class, Garduno’s loss came to Quarzavion Jackson of Central. He was behind in the consolation semis against Xzvaier Battaglio of Palmyra before making a late charge. And he was down to Bishop DuBourg’s Jacob Bader before reversing him and gaining a pin.
Noah Johnson at 220 won a match by pin – a theme for MMA on the day – but lost two. Landon Kjolhede and Brett Miles were 0-2.
