Republic wrestlers won their first three matches on the opening night of the state wrestling tournament, but went 1-8 the rest of the way, leading to a disappointing early exit from the Class 4 brackets for the Tigers’ four entrants.
All four Republic wrestlers finished the tournament with one win and two losses. Corbin Massey, Phillip George, and Keaton Overcast all won their first-round matches to reach the quarterfinals. Maddox Wilkins was on the verge of making it four straight wins for Republic, but a last-second reversal gave Hayden Devilder a victory and sent Wilkins into wrestlebacks, where he won his next match against Adrian Vaeth of Lindbergh.
Massey, George, and Overcast lost their quarterfinal matches, joining Wilkins in the wrestleback side of the bracket. All four were eliminated when they lost their second-round wrestleback match.
The early finish ends what had been one of the best seasons in recent memory for the Republic wrestling program, with the most state qualifiers since 2016 and a much-improved record in dual competition.
The state tournament also marks the last matches for seniors Phillip George and Maddox Wilkins, who had each qualified for a second time. Overcast, a sophomore, and Massey, a freshman, are in line to return next year.
106 Class 4
Corbin Massey (41-12)
Champ. Round 1 – Corbin Massey (Republic) 41-12 won by fall over Vincent Castille (Francis Howell Central) 17-19 (Fall 0:36)
Quarterfinal – Kaison Schreier (Fort Osage) 48-0 won by fall over Corbin Massey (Republic) 41-12 (Fall 1:26)
Cons. Round 2 – Gunner Dahms (Staley) 29-11 won by tech fall over Corbin Massey (Republic) 41-12 (TF-1.5 3:00 (19-2))
113 Class 4
Phillip George (40-13)
Champ. Round 1 – Phillip George (Republic) 40-13 won by decision over Wyatt Maxville (Kirkwood) 29-15 (Dec 7-3)
Quarterfinal – Erik Egstad (Park Hill) 31-5 won by fall over Phillip George (Republic) 40-13 (Fall 3:04)
Cons. Round 2 – Chase Gray (Francis Howell Central) 30-9 won by decision over Phillip George (Republic) 40-13 (Dec 3-0)
132 Class 4
Keaton Overcast (44-8)
Champ. Round 1 – Keaton Overcast (Republic) 44-8 won by decision over Kade King (Jackson) 37-14 (Dec 4-3)
Quarterfinal – Miller Sipes (Staley) 34-7 won by major decision over Keaton Overcast (Republic) 44-8 (MD 13-3)
Cons. Round 2 – Lucas Gideon (Central (Springfield)) 33-12 won by decision over Keaton Overcast (Republic) 44-8 (Dec 2-1)
190 Class 4
Maddox Wilkins (46-7)
Champ. Round 1 – Hayden Devilder (Francis Howell Central) 30-12 won by decision over Maddox Wilkins (Republic) 46-7 (Dec 6-5)
Cons. Round 1 – Maddox Wilkins (Republic) 46-7 won by decision over Adrian Vaeth (Lindbergh) 22-11 (Dec 5-2)
Cons. Round 2 – Donovan Hodges (Liberty) 21-14 won by fall over Maddox Wilkins (Republic) 46-7 (Fall 3:51)