Mexico boys finish third in Grain Valley to open season

The Mexico boys had plenty of podium presence to open this season.

The Bulldogs finished third out of 10 schools with 130 points at Saturday’s Grain Valley Invite. Returning state runners-up Carlos Juarez Ramirez and Grant Van Horn won their respective brackets and led the Mexico group of medalists.

Juarez Ramirez won all five of his matches in the 106-pound class, scoring four first-period pinfalls and a 20-2 technical fall victory. Van Horn won all four of his matches at 175 pounds, coming away with two first-period pinfalls, a 22-3 technical fall and a 16-3 major decision. Logan Hilderman won a first-place medal at 113 after winning by pinfall three times, a 15-0 technical fall and a 12-2 major decision.

Watson Azdell finished second at 138, winning by pin and an 8-5 decision; Jayden Hodge was the runner-up at 190 by finishing with two pinfalls; and Grant Walker was second at 215 after winning by pinfall twice.

Evan Blair was third at 113 after pinning three opponents and being pinned twice. Isai Hernandez Jarquin was fourth at 165 after finishing the day with wins by 14-11 decision and 14-6 major decision.

North Callaway finishes second at Ray Stockdale Invitational

The North Callaway boys impressed Saturday in Knob Noster.

The Thunderbirds tied the host Knob Noster on Saturday in the Ray Stockdale Invitational by finishing with 177.5 points.  North Callaway came away with second place.

Returning state medalist Collin Moore won the 150-pound bracket after pinning all four of his opponents. Finishing as runners-up in their respective brackets were Lucas Riecke at 120 with a 3-0 record, Aiden Wimmer at 132 with two pins and a 4-2 decision loss, Wyatt Haden at 165 with two pinfall victories, Ben Haubner at 175 with two pins and Gunnar Wenneker at 285 with three pins.

Carver Safranski was third at 144 after going 3-1; Vincent Houchins was third at 190 after going 3-1, securing a tight decision victory in his final match; Eli Borcherding was fourth at 106 after winning one match by pinfall; John Higgins was fourth at 138 after going 3-2; and Jaren Delashmutt was sixth at 126.

Miles wins bracket for Missouri Military Academy in Affton

Ryan Miles led Missouri Military Academy on Saturday in Affton.

In the Esmond Ford Memorial Tournament, the returning state qualifier won the 150-pound bracket after going 5-0, including with two pins and a 3-2 decision victory over West Plains’ Colten McGuire in the championship match. MMA finished sixth with 136.5 points out of 23 schools.

Deonte Kerns was second at 126 after going 4-1 with four pins, Marcus Miller was fifth at 138 after going 3-2 with two pins, Nathaniel Summers was fifth at 285 after going 4-1 with four pins, Tyler Isbell was eighth at 132 after going 3-1 with three pins, and Michel Pfeifer was eighth at 144 after going 3-2 with three pins.