For Ozark 120-pounder Keaton Hurst, the first two rounds of the Class 4 District 3 Tournament on Friday felt like the start of a whole new season.
Little wonder, considering Hurst had been idle since the Tigers’ trip to the Winnetonka Tournament Jan. 20-21. He was out for the COC Tournament due to an ill-timed bout with the flu.
“It’s been a while,” Hurst said after his return to the mat saw him pick up a pair of victories and make the semifinal round.
Hurst (25-13) opened Friday with a 5-1 victory against Ray-Pec’s Evan Gatlin and followed up with a 7-1 triumph against Kickapoo’s Brian Hill.
“I’m glad I’m back and glad to be here,” Hurst said. “I feel I’ve had to work harder in the room to get back in shape because I was so drained. Our seniors were there for me. We have amazing senior leaders and it’s going to be sad to see them go. They were pushing to help me get back in shape."
Hurst was happy to feel butterflies before a match once again.
“Everyone says they’re not nervous or anxious. But everyone gets a little turning in their stomach,” he said. “I had that today. But I also had confidence because we have worked hard in our room 2-3 hours a day. We go out with the confidence we have worked harder than the other person.”
Hurst will be looking to make a return to State with a top-four finish during the District’s final rounds today. He’ls a third seed and will meet Neosho’s Fisher Butler (27-8), a second seed, in a semifinal. Top-seeded Charlie Dykes, of Lee’s Summit North, is in the other semifinal.
Last year, Hurst needed an overtime win in the ‘Heartbreak Round’ to make State and finished fourth at Districts.
“Barely making (State) wasn’t enough for me,” Hurst said. “I’m trying to make it to the finals and really show what I’ve got. I’m going for the win. I’m coming with energy to give it all I’ve got.”
It was about a flawless Friday for Ozark.
Damien Mosley, Caden Harrington, Levi Maskrod, Daniel Laney, Braxton Strick, Brock Sundlie, Lucas Campbell, Eric Shepard, Johnny Williams and Peyton Greer also all made their way to the semifinal round to put the host Tigers in prime position to take the team championship.
Moseley (37-8), the top seed at 113, posted pins in :09 and :13.
Harrington (31-11) was tabbed the fifth seed at 126, even after winning a COC championship. He edged Springfield Central’s Lucas Gideon 8-5 to earn a semifinal match against top-seeded Davis Joiner, of Lebanon.
Maskrod (24-15) picked up a 4-1 win and a pin in 3:21 at 138.
Laney (34-13) recorded two first-period pins as the fifth seed at 144.
Strick (45-2) had two pins at 150 as he pursues a fourth District championship. The defending state champ will see Luke Steinbrugge (37-5), of Lee’s Summit North, in a semifinal.
Sundlie (33-10) had a :34 pin and a 15-3 major decision victory at 157. He could be on his way toward renewing his long-standing rivalry with Neosho’s Collyn Kivett (33-5).
Campbell (26-14) gained a 6-5 win against Republic’s Chase Hicks at 165. He will meet defending state champion Eli Zar, of Neosho, in a semifinal.
Shephard (25-10) posted a 16-5 win and a pin in 5:44 at 175. He and Nixa’s Nate Brower will hook up in a semifinal.
Williams (35-10) pinned Republic’s Maddox Wilkins in 3:36 at 190. He will face COC champ Ulysses DeLeon, of Neosho, in a semifinal.
Greer (36-13), the sixth seed at 285, pinned Nixa’s Charles Speake in 3:54 and won in overtime 2-1 against Joplin’s Levi Hobbs.
Wrestling resumes at 10 a.m. today.
