Camren Hedgpeth of the Cameron Dragons completed a 49-4 season with a 4-2 decision over Caleb Groff of Oak Grove on Thursday evening, winning the heavyweight division in the Class 2 state wrestling tournament at Cable-Dahmer Arena in Independence.
Hedgpeth’s day started with a first round decision over Eben Crain of Reeds Spring 10-6, before a quarterfinal pin of DeVonte Sanders of Blair Oaks at the 2:54 mark. In the semifinals, an 8-4 decision over Bryce Kertz of Kirksville sent the Cameron grappler to the final.
The heavyweight championship was the crowning achievement for a strong overall day for Cameron, with Caleb Husch finishing runner-up at 113 pounds, with victories over Chris Sullivan of Harrisonville (8-7 decision) and Carter Prenger of Helias Catholic (8-6 decision) before an 11-0 major decision loss in the final to 46-1 Sam Ewing of Pleasant Hill.
At 120 pounds, Ryker Smith finished in second place for Cameron, ending the season with an impressive mark of 48-2. In the quarterfinals, Smith took a 21-2 technical fall win at 4:28 over Brayden Thiel of Seneca, followed by a pin at 3:41 of the semifinals against Aidan Gerber of Eldon. Jack Lage of Helias Catholic completed a 34-0 championship season with a 4-2 decision in the final.
Brecken Gates (138 pounds) and Keegan Reynolds (195 pounds) of Cameron both finished in sixth place in their respective weight divisions.
The Chillicothe Hornets sent four wrestlers to the Class 2 state meet, with Brock Miller (182 pounds) and Sheldon Rader (113 pounds) both finishing in sixth place. Lane McCoy (106 pounds) and Brody Carins (152 pounds) lost both of their state matches for the Hornets.
