As a team, the Tiger wrestlers had their best performance in seven years at the Kinloch Classic, placing third overall. But two Republic wrestlers stood out, winning their weight classes and going undefeated.
Maddox Wilkins, wrestling at 190, pinned four of his five opponents in pool play, and winning a 5-1 decision in the other match. He pinned his quarterfinal opponent in a little over a minute, won a 3-1 decision in the semis, then defeated Malosi Sosef of McDonald County 6-5 in the championship.
Connor Sandridge wrestled only twice in pool play, but dispatched his two opponents in less than three minutes total. He pinned his quarterfinal opponent in a minute and a half, and needed less than a minute to pin his opponent in the semifinal. The championship match went the distance, with Sandridge winning 12-9 over Brice Henry. In total, Sandridge was on the mat for less than 12 minutes in earning five wins and the individual gold at 175 pounds.
Wilkins and Sandgridge’s championships are Republic’s Kinloch Classic performances of the week.