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Van Dyk, Pritchett punch ticket to state wrestling tournament
A pair of Nevada High sophomores punched their ticket to the Missouri Class 1 girls' state wrestling tournament.
Needing a top four finish to advance out of districts and qualify for state, Nevada grapplers Lotus Van Dyk and Claire Pritchett achieved just that at Saturday's Class 1 District 3 tournament in Pleasant Hill.
Van Dyk placed fourth in the 135-pound weight division en route to her second consecutive state tournament appearance. In her first year on the team, and competing in the 235-pound division, Pritchett also placed fourth for the podium finish.
Van Dyk, who placed sixth at last year's inaugural girls' state championship meet, won her opening district-tournament match via pin (3:14) over Branson's Marianne Cartright. In the quarterfinals Van Dyk against registered a pin, defeating Buffalo's Skyler Maverick at the 5:14 mark.
In the semifinals Van Dyk was upended by Hanna O'Connor, as the Rolla High School product emerged with a hard-fought 14-12 decision. Van Dyk then rebounded with a victory in the consolation semifinals, notching her third pin of the day as she bested Monett's Janeth Quinones (Fall, 4:11).
The victory propelled Van Dyk to the third-lace match, were she was toppled by Eldon's Olivia Chapman (11-10 decision). The 3-2 record on the day moves Van Dyk to 17-8 on the season.
Pritchett, competing at 235, was defeated in opening-round action by West Plains' Madison Easter (Fall 2:49). In the quarterfinals Pritchett pinned Sherwood's Joslyn Mueller at the 38-second mark of the match. Pritchett then tallied pins over Monett's Kinzey Stellwagen (1:49), and El Dorado Springs' Leah Moore (2:17).
In the consolation semifinals Pritchett cruised to her fourth consecutive victory, defeating Marshfield's Leanna Merrell (Fall 1:45) to secure a spot in the state tournament. Pritchett's win-streak was halted in the third-place match, after being pinned by Versailles' Alana May (1:57). Pritchett's quartet of victories ups her record to 14-10.
Competing in the 187-pound division, Nevada freshman Taylor Thompson's season came to a close after finishing outside of the top four. Thompson was victorious in her first match, pinning Sherwood's Madolyn Sullins. Thompson then dropped her next two matches, concluding her season 12-13 overall.
"We were very pleased with how all (three) girls wrestled," said Nevada head coach, David Hawks, adding "we're excited for Lotus and Claire to have the opportunity to compete at the state tournament."
Van Dyk and Pritchett are slated to return to the mat for the 2nd girls' MSHSAA championships— Feb. 20-22 at Mizzou Arena.