Despite a difficult beginning, junior Cody Sandridge will end his wrestling season the same way he ended his first two: on the mat in Columbia at the state tournament.
Sandridge overcame injury trouble that sidelined him most of the year to take first place in his weight class at the district tournament Saturday in Branson. Sandridge defeated Webb City’s Hunter Vanlue in the 152-pound weight class to take the championship.
Sandridge’s comeback story was the highlight for a young Republic squad, who failed to get another wrestler through to state after two record-breaking seasons in a row in 2012 and 2013.
It will be the third straight year for a state appearance by Sandridge, who has finished with a medal at Columbia twice. As a freshman, Sandridge finished 6th, and last year he finished 5th.
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