Sophomore grappler Brooks qualifies for state tourney

Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Nevada High's Braylin Brooks (right) takes the podium.
Submitted

Nevada High School 106-pound grappler Braylin Brooks qualified for the Class 2 state wrestling meet via a fourth-place showing at the Class 2 District 3 tournament over the weekend in Bolivar.

Deducting Brooks from the equation, it was a tough overall day for the NHS wrestling team, as several came up just short of punching their ticket to the showcase event — leaving Brooks as the lone Nevada qualifier.

In opening-round action Brooks (20-9) earned a pin of Buffalo's Cameron McKendrick. In the quarterfinal-round Brooks pinned Cassville's Kurt Deaver.

In the semifinals Brooks was upended by Seneca's Brady Roark via pin. In need of victory in the consolation semifinals, Brooks came through with a pin of Clinton's Wallace Gregory — propelling Brooks to the third-place match, where he was defeated (via pin) by Logan Rogersville's Jacob Foster.

In the 120-pound weight division, Nevada sophomore Ethan Dighero dropped his opening road match, but battled back with a pair of victories. Dighero (22-13) then fell one match shy of qualifying for state, after dropping a 7-5 decision to Reeds Spring's product Chase Johnson

After receiving a first-round bye, NHS 152-pound senior Corbin Eastwood was defeated in the quarterfinals. Eastwood then won his next two matches.

With a trip to the state tournament on the line, Eastwood had his prep career come to an end in heartbreaking fashion, falling to Clinton's Matt Balke (via 2-0 decision) in the consolation semifinals. East wrapped his senior season 20-12 overall.

Representing Nevada at 160-pounds, Gauge Boyd followed an identical path as teammate Eastwood — receiving a first-round bye, then winning his next two matches, before ultimately succumbing to Pleasant Hill's Lane Brattin in the consolation semifinals. Boyd concluded his sophomore campaign 16-14 overall.

"(Those three) lost close matches that would have sent them to the state tournament," noted Nevada head coach, David Hawks. "The end of the season is always tough, but even more so when you lose a heartbreaker."

An opening-round bye, followed by a victory and a loss, placed Nevada senior Brock Marquardt in a make-or-break semifinal match. Marquardt was then pinned by Logan-Rogersville's Gage Meadors. Marquardt concluded the season 16-12 overall.

NHS 195-pound sophomore Logan Smith (7-13) finished the meet with a 1-2 record, as his season came to a close with a semifinal loss to Monett's Junior Villa.

Nevada, meanwhile, placed 12th at the 15-school tourney. Monett was crowned district champion, while Pleasant Hill and Bolivar rounded out the top three schools.

Up Next

The Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 2 State Championship meet, Feb. 20-22 at Mizzou Arena.

For his opening-round opponent, Brooks drew Caleb Husch. The Cameron High School freshman enters the state meet with a pristine 47-2 overall record.

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