INDEPENDENCE
Hillsboro won its first boys wrestling team state trophy when it placed third in the Class 3 competition with 91 points at Cable Dahmer Arena on Friday night.
Whitfield, the Class 1 champion the past four years and winners of the class nine times since 2008, was moved to Class 3 this season after the Missouri State High School Activities added postseason success as a criteria for classifications among private schools. The Warriors won their 10th team state title with 182 points. Neosho, winners of nine Class 3 state titles since 2010, was second with 148.
The Hawks sent 12 wrestlers to the state tournament and six returned home with medals. Hillsboro sophomore Gavin Alexander won the state title at 106 last season and he won his second medal by placing fourth at 113. Below is a list of all of the Jefferson County wrestlers who placed in Class 3 this year.
Hillsboro freshman Aidan Black (106, sixth)
Festus junior Austin Neff (106, fourth)
Hillsboro sophomore Gavin Alexander (113, fourth)
Hillsboro freshman Sam Richardson (126, fourth)
Hillsboro junior Dalton Litzsinger (138, fourth)
Hillsboro sophomore Griffin Ray (152, third)
Festus senior Luke Shaver (182, third)
Hillsboro senior Zach McNees (195, fifth)