STATE CHAMP!

By: Tara Blue
The MSHSAA State Wrestling Tournament took place last week on Feb. 21-22 at MIZZOU Arena, and senior Callie Bergthold brought home first place in the 120 lbs. weight class making her a two-time state champ.

All Southern Boone wrestlers gave 100% and Head Coach Lee Bradley shares his appreciation for these young athletes:

“I’m incredibly proud of our boys and girls team. The boys team is young but it did not stop them from competing and making gains all year long. Kaid Shaw came out of districts a four seed and pins the one seed in the first round.

Grant Leininger wrestled over a month with a fractured elbow and then it completely gave way and broke in his district finals match, a match he still won 10-2. It’s just another testament to Grant’s grit and determination to be great.

I’m proud of the boys and their efforts through the entire year.

The girls were led all season by our three seniors: Callie Bergthold, Josey Uhrig and Addy Pasley.

These three leave a legacy that extends far past wins and losses. I’m proud to have coached them!

At the state tournament we had a very strong showing by two underclassmen in Nova Porter and Zafaran Satterfield.

Nova took fifth in the 115 pound weight class and Zafaran took 4th in the 135 pound weight class.

Lastly is our two time state champ Callie Bergthold. She was determined to win her second title against a very tough opponent in two time state champ, Cassidy Benwell of Holt.

Callie lost 2-0 in the district finals to Benwell. We made some small adjustments in the bottom position and the neutral position and she executed perfectly.

I’m lucky to have coached this group of kids! These seniors have amassed three district team runner up plaques and we were one point out of securing a state plaque at the 2024 MSHSAA state tournament. This is a special group of kids and I value and have cherished my time with them!”

See all state tournament photos below: