Nevada quartet qualify for state youth wrestling championships

There were four youth wrestlers from Nevada to qualify for the state championships by placing in the top four at the regional competition March 12, in Joplin. They are, clockwise from top right: Tanner Charles, Taylor Chapman, Sam Ellifrits, and Slade Stiles. Submitted Photos

Nevada Daily Mail

There were 10 wrestlers from the Nevada Youth Wrestling Club who participated in the regional competition March 12, in Joplin.

Four of the local grapplers qualified for the state championships by finishing in the top four of their class.

The state qualifiers were Taylor Chapman, Tanner Charles, Sam Ellifrits and Slade Stiles.

Chapman qualified in the 14-and-under age group in the 145-pound weight class. Chapman finished fourth at regionals to earn the bid.

Charles finished third in the 10-and-under age group's 65-pound weight class, allowing him to make the trip to state.

Ellifrits won the regional title in the 10-and-under 170-pound class, as the only Nevada wrestler to win his division.

Stiles finished in third place of the 55-pound weight class in the 10-and-under division.

The state wrestling championships are held in Columbia at the Hearnes Center.

The state competition will begin Thursday, continuing through Saturday.

Stiles and Ellifrits will be making their second appearance at the state championships, while Chapman and Charles are first-time qualifiers.