Belton wrestlers compete in state tournament

A long season has finally come to an end for wrestlers. The Pirate wrestlers first traveled to Carthage to compete in the district tournament where wrestlers had to place at least 4th to continue on the the state tournament in Columbia.

The team had 11 wrestlers compete in the district tournament but only four wrestlers came out placing for Belton. Junior Le’Roy Barnes was the first to compete in the 125 weight class where he placed fourth. Next, senior Tanner Jones took third in the 160 weight class. Then, reigning champ senior Glen Whitney dominated his weight class at 189, taking first. Finally, sophomore Kevin Estell took third in the 285 weight class.

These four wrestlers earned their spot in the state tournament where they left for Feb. 18. Before the tournament started, all wrestlers were paraded out into the Mizzou Arena where they competed and were praised, but right after the parade ended the wrestling quickly began. Wrestlers only get two losses before they are out of the tournament and they need one to make it to the next day.

Both Whitney and Barnes are veteran state qualifiers. This experience is new for Estell and Jones who would soon learn what its like to compete with the best.

Whitney, Barnes and Estell were all able to make it to the next day. Both Whitney and Barnes won the first round match and Estell won his second match. Jones lost his second match by two points, ending his season. However, Barnes’ victory came over the number one seed from another district giving him a big upset, but he would only find himself to run into the same kid again.

All three wrestlers won their next matches, but soon Barnes would be sent to the back side of the bracket after his first loss. Estell came one victory away from making it to the medaling round before he was finally beaten again and was out of the tournament. Barnes won his way to third place match as Whitney battled to the finals. Whitney, who placed first last year in this tournament, was on a mission to protect his title and become the first Belton wrestler to win state more than once.

The final day of the tournament finally came so the finals were under way. Barnes competed for third place against the first place seeded wrestler he beat first round, but he was unable to have a repeat and came up short in his match but still earned a good fourth place. Finally, the big match of Glen Whitney was underway. The match was close all along and ended up going into double over time. The worst came when Whitney let his opponent up in hopes to just take him back down but was unable to score any points in the short 30 seconds period. Whitney came up short by one point losing his finals match. But still accomplished second place which is still a great achievement.

The season finally came to an end for all the wrestlers and for the seniors for good expect for any who take a spot in college. The years on are left for the lower class men to step and fill the shoes of the wrestlers who left this year.