Jonathan O’Connell’s 100th career victory highlighted Republic’s performance at the Columbia Hickman Invitational. The Tigers took only four wrestlers to Columbia, but two of them won championships.
O’Connell’s 100th career win came Friday against Aydin Rodriguez of Columbia Rock Bridge. O’Connell pinned Rodriguez in the first round. It helped set up an undefeated weekend for O’Connell, who finished first at 138 pounds. He’s 23–1 this year, with his only loss coming at the Kinloch Classic, where he was wrestling up a weight class.
Michael Taylor, wrestling at 132 for Republic, also won the tournament title. Taylor beat Clayton Hurley of Jefferson City in the championship match to improve to 26–5 this season.
Wyatt George placed third at 106. His only loss was in the semifinals, to undefeated Owen Uhls of Fulton. George rebounded to win his next two matches, including a sudden victory over Ethan Barr of Hickman in the third-place match.
Gabe Hesington also competed, winning his last two matches at 126 and finishing 11th overall.
JV Tigers Compete at Kickapoo
Here are the results of Republic wrestlers competing at the Kickapoo JV Tournament, with the division followed by the wrestler’s results.
Brown 113
Dominick Famiano’s place is 2nd and has scored 4.0 team points.
Round 2 – Dominick Famiano (Republic) won by fall over Gabe Appleberry (Kickapoo) (Fall 2:46)
Round 3 – Jordan Hurst (Ozark) won by decision over Dominick Famiano (Republic) (Dec 3-0)
Brown 138
Isaiah Madson’s place is 2nd and has scored 14.0 team points.
Round 1 – Caleb Watts (Willard) won by fall over Isaiah Madson (Republic) (Fall 0:53)
Round 2 – Isaiah Madson (Republic) won by fall over Sam Wallace (Nixa) (Fall 1:50)
Round 3 – Isaiah Madson (Republic) won by fall over Grafton Miller (Glendale) (Fall 1:24)
Brown 220
Isaac Gyles’s place is 5th and has scored 2.0 team points.
Round 1 – Astion Brooks (Nixa) won by fall over Isaac Gyles (Republic) (Fall 2:36)
Round 2 – Isaac Gyles (Republic) won by fall over Moises Duenas (Rogers Heritage) (Fall 1:50)
Round 4 – Rhys Koyama (Kickapoo) won by decision over Isaac Gyles (Republic) (Dec 1-0)
Round 5 – Marshall Swadley (Willard) won by fall over Isaac Gyles (Republic) (Fall 1:15)
Gold 138
Michael Bailey’s place is 2nd and has scored 14.0 team points.
Round 1 – Michael Bailey (Republic) won by fall over Justin Luu (Springfield Catholic) (Fall 2:26)
Round 2 – Michael Bailey (Republic) won by fall over Alexander Bewley (Nixa) (Fall 2:28)
Round 3 – Jacob Selby (Neosho) won by fall over Michael Bailey (Republic) (Fall 4:11)
Gold 285
Ethan Piles’s place is 4th and has scored 4.0 team points.
Round 1 – Grant Miller (Kickapoo) won by fall over Ethan Piles (Republic) (Fall 2:26)
Round 2 – Luke Hulse (Ozark) won by fall over Ethan Piles (Republic) (Fall 4:27)
Round 3 – Riley Hollis (Rogers Heritage) won by fall over Ethan Piles (Republic) (Fall 1:36)
White 138
Isaac Collyott’s place is 2nd and has scored 14.0 team points.
Round 1 – Isaac Collyott (Republic) won by fall over Ethan Hartman (Parkview) (Fall 4:12)
Round 2 – Isaac Collyott (Republic) won by fall over David Hadaller (branson) (Fall 2:02)
Round 3 – Noah Reiboldt (Neosho) won by fall over Isaac Collyott (Republic) (Fall 1:32)