Five Sullivan Wrestlers Clinch The State Podium

Sullivan’s wrestlers wrapped up their seasons on top in Columbia. They capped another historic year at the state championships, which took place from Feb. 26 to 27.

The varsity boys finished 12th out of fifty teams in Class 2, scoring 46.5 points. The Lady Eagles dominated Class 1, placing 25th and tallying 28 points against 76 other schools.

Head coach Carl Lawrence was ecstatic to see five of his fighters bring home hardware. He was also proud of his nine other wrestlers who went unranked but still left everything on the mats.

After months of grinding, Lawrence was happy to see the growth his team reached at the end. He explained, “There are a million different variables going on throughout the wrestling season, and to watch the kids endure and push forward no matter the obstacle is really what this stuff is all about. These kids will all be better adults in society someday because of all of this.”

Ian Henderson (26-13) inked his name into the record books last week. He became the first freshman at Sullivan to medal at state. The rookie also finished the highest on his squad with fourth place in the 106 class. He went 3-2 against his opponents for a team-high 17 points.

Conner Roach (35-1) and Carter Blankenship (31-13) capped off their high school careers with a bang. Both seniors ranked sixth with three wins at the Mizzou Arena. Roach, who weighed in at 132, received his second medal in Columbia. Then Blankenship battled through the 126 class to earn his first piece of state hardware.

Dorie Richardson (41-4) and Abigail Erfurth (37-9) led the Lady Eagles with a sixth-place finish at the championships. Richardson, who competed in the 140 class, received her third state medal before graduating. Erfurth, as a sophomore weighing in at 235, clinched the state podium for the first time in her career.

Eli Peregoy (35-4), Ethan Turner (31-16), Chloe Carson (37-13) and Ruby Daily (29-12) each won a round.

Sullivan had five wrestlers who lost both of their only two matches. They were Camden Henderson (33-8), Oliver Borton (25-18), Austin Ray (33-15), Brennan Birrer (30-15) and Katie Summers (19-26).

After taking their final bouts on the mats, Lawrence has one final message for his fighters. “I always have to thank our teams for the long, tough process of the wrestling season; everything about it is hard,” the coach stated. “All the things that make up our sport from the beginning of the season all the way into the offseason is a challenge. I hope our athletes have learned how to endure and adjust with tough obstacles and unforeseen road bumps. Wrestling already teaches them so much about mental toughness and endurance, but at the end of the day, the memories of all the work and major accomplishments will stick with them forever. These kinds of things keep building the tradition of this sport in the town of Sullivan.”

Varsity Boys - Match Summaries

I. Henderson (106) medaled at fourth and led Sullivan with 17 points, winning three of his five bouts. The freshman kicked off his run with technical falls over Athan Briggs (Father Tolton Regional Classic) and Landon Smith (Savannah). He then lost the semifinal but rebounded with a 0:54 pin over Jason Schutter (Kirksville). During the third-place matchup, the rookie lost a 14-9 decision to Cody Schreck (Mid-Buchanan).

Roach (132) capped off his Sullivan career with sixth place, scoring 11.5 points. He first dominated Carson VanDoremalen (Excelsior Springs) in a technical fall but was disqualified from his second bout. Roach bounced back, shutting down Tyson Fowler (Potosi) in 0:34 and Martin Harrison (Father Tolton) in an 8-0 major decision. He then fell to sixth place after a medical forfeit and default in his final two rounds.

Blankenship (126) ranked sixth in Class 2 and racked up 11 points. After losing his opening match, he rebounded by sweeping his following three opponents. The senior locked down Zac Govero (St. Charles West) in 0:16, Colton Flick (Cameron) in a 9-1 major decision and Brock Arrowood (Osage) in 2:56. He lost his final two rounds but still gave it his all and received a medal afterward.

Peregoy (138) and Turner (175) went 1-2 at the state tournament. Peregoy tallied four points, pinning Braxton Yost (Logan-Rogersville) in 3:45. Turner then took down Jacob Gurley (St. Charles West) in 2:43, scoring three.

Varsity Girls - Match Summaries

Richardson (140) placed sixth and stacked up 11 points for Sullivan. She won her first two bouts, pinning Lindsey Keithley (Reeds Spring) in 3:34 and Molly Stanton (Mid-Buchanan) in 3:52. Richardson then lost her following three rounds, which included a medical forfeit in the fifth-place match.

Erfurth (235) also clinched the state podium for sixth place. For ten points, the sophomore locked up Brooklyn Jackman (Warsaw) in a 2-0 decision, Sandra Mancera-Campos (Raytown South) in a 2:26 pin and Isabella Winingear (Holt) in a 1:34 fall.

Carson (155) and Daily (170) each went unranked, going 1-2 at state. Carson tallied three points, pinning Abbie Goulardt (El Dorado Springs) in 4:39. Then Daily scored four in a 2:00 takedown over Madysen Rayl (Versailles).

Click to see more photos from the state tournament!