As the farthest traveling team the Bruins wrestled the first and second duals. In the opening dual RBHS faced off against the host Tigers.
At 106 pounds Waynesville recorded a fall but sophomore Brock Davis quickly responded with a second period fall at 113. At 120 Waynesville recorded another fall but again the Bruins responded quickly as junior Josiah Kline pinned his opponent at 126 pounds tying the team score at 12.
From there Waynesville went on a four match win streak, putting up 30 unanswered points, recording falls at 132, 138, 145 and 152 and ending the run with a forfeit at 160.
The Bruins would get back on the scoreboard with a 7-0 decision at 170 pounds by senior Graham Ratermann but Waynesville would follow with a fall at 182 and forfeits at 195 and 220 pounds.
In the final match of the dual junior heavyweight Jujuan Chambers recorded a fall but the Bruins would still fall to Waynesville 60-21.
After a quick 10 minute break the Bruins squared off against Nixa. Davis opened at 113 with a technical fall, but Nixa responded with a quick pin at 120. Kline wrestling up a weight at 126 recorded another fall to end the night 2-0 and remain unbeaten on the year.
“At first I didn’t realize how strong he was until we started going at it,” Kline said. “Then I realized I’m going to have to wear this guy out so I could pin him later on in the match.”
Again in the middleweights the Bruins would take a turn for the worst with Nixa winning by fall at 132, 138 and 145. At 152, freshman Marqtrel Harris received an open for the Bruins and at 160 Nixa received an open.
At 170 pounds Ratermann recorded a fall bringing up freshman Don Hammers at 182. In by far the most exciting match of the dual Hammers pulled out a triple overtime win 8-7 after going a scoreless sudden death period then escaping from bottom and finally securing a 30 second ride out to end the match.
In the Bruins two duals on monday Hammers recorded falls against his Centralia and North Callaway opponents prompting Davis to offer high praise.
“If he keeps practicing as hard as he had been I think he has a shot at making it past districts and a possible state run,” Davis said. “But like I said that’s only if he keeps his discipline and work ethic up.”
The Bruins would surrender forfeits at 195 and 220. In another close match Chambers lost 3-2 at heavyweight with the match coming down to the closing seconds as Chambers fought for a takedown but was unable to secure the crucial two points.
Reflecting on his performance Chambers knows there are things he can improve.
“I had a good day,” Chambers said. “But I still have so much that I can work on. Like my breathing, controlling how I process the match and focusing on the little things.”
At 106 pounds the Bruins received a forfeit ending the dual 45-32 in favor of Nixa.
This weekend the Bruins travel to Saint Charles West to take part in the Saint Charles West Invitational which includes powerhouses Seckman, Francis Howell and Timberland, the second, third and fourth ranked teams in Class Four according to Show Me Wrestling.