Five Tigers medal to open wrestling season

After finishing as state runner-up in 2018, Jonathan O’Connell has set a goal to remain undefeated this season, at least through the Republic Invitational in January. He’s off to a strong start. O’Connell led Republic with an individual championship in the 138-pound weight class at the Bolivar Tournament. O’Connell had three pins before winning by a tech fall in the finals.
O’Connell was one of five wrestlers to end his day on the medal stand. Republic finished sixth overall, out of 10 teams.
Wyatt George was runner-up in the 106-pound division. His only loss was to unbeaten Granite Cunningham of Bolivar.
Gabe Hesington finished third at 126. He won three decisions, with his only loss coming at the hands of Kody Dowell of Osage by pin in the semifinals.
Michael Taylor, Republic’s other returning state qualifier (along with O’Connell), also finished third. He pinned his first two opponents, then lost in double-overtime to Ryan Rothrove of Camdenton in the semifinals. He rebounded to win the third-place match 3–1 against Brendan Davis of Har-Ber High School in Springdale, Ark.
Conner Visio competed at 220 and finished fourth, losing his third-place match to Nathan Bigfeather of Har-Ber.