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Neosho senior Dallas Smith finally earned that gold medal that had eluded him his entire high school wrestling career after dominating Warrensburg’s Cody Johnston in one of the best finals matches featured at the 2011 MSHSAA Wrestling Championships Saturday at Mizzou Arena.
Smith, a four-time state qualifier, can now add his gold medal at 189 pounds to his collection of bronze earned in 2010 and fourth place in 2009. Smith finished his senior season with a 50-2 record, and the pleasure of being a part of a senior class that won back-to-back Class 3 state titles in 2011 and 2010, second place in 2009 and fourth place in 2008.
In his finals match against Johnston, the two wrestlers battled hard in a scoreless first period. Johnston nearly recorded a takedown late in the period, but Smith scrambled out of the hold.
Smith scored an escape point early in the second period, and later followed that up with a takedown with two seconds remaining in the frame.
In the third period, Smith sealed the win with a two-point near fall as it was evident Johnston was running out of energy.
After the win, Smith pointed toward the crowd in celebration — as the victory capped a perfect 4-for-4 run in the finals for the Wildcats to secure their back-to-back Class 3 state titles.
Johnston ends his season with a 53-2 record — both losses coming against Smith, who beat him by a 17-8 score at the Warrensburg tournament in the regular season.
“The nerves were going at the start of the match because I had never been to the finals before, but once the whistle blew everything goes out of your body and it is just another match after that,” Smith said. “I knew I could beat him, and that he would break and get tired. I stuck to the game plan that coach told me to, and I couldn’t have done it without him.”
Smith said it was a dream come true ending to his high school career.
“This is what I wanted my whole life, since I have been wrestling in second grade,” Smith said. “It all coming to an end is kind of emotional.
“I have been wrestling since second grade, and my senior classmates have been wrestling longer. It is really sad to see it all over. It is bittersweet, but I am glad we won. It is a great group to wrestle with, and I am honored to be a part of this team.”
Smith said the senior wrestlers have already talked about how important it will be to keep in touch in the future.
“We have a lot of memories,” Smith said.
Smith reached the finals by dominating his semifinal match against Summit’s Drew Lance. Smith scored a takedown in the first period to go up 2-0 and added a takedown and an escape in the second period to finish with a 5-0 victory.
Neosho senior Dallas Smith finally earned that gold medal that had eluded him his entire high school wrestling career after dominating Warrensburg’s Cody Johnston in one of the best finals matches featured at the 2011 MSHSAA Wrestling Championships Saturday at Mizzou Arena.
Smith, a four-time state qualifier, can now add his gold medal at 189 pounds to his collection of bronze earned in 2010 and fourth place in 2009. Smith finished his senior season with a 50-2 record, and the pleasure of being a part of a senior class that won back-to-back Class 3 state titles in 2011 and 2010, second place in 2009 and fourth place in 2008.
In his finals match against Johnston, the two wrestlers battled hard in a scoreless first period. Johnston nearly recorded a takedown late in the period, but Smith scrambled out of the hold.
Smith scored an escape point early in the second period, and later followed that up with a takedown with two seconds remaining in the frame.
In the third period, Smith sealed the win with a two-point near fall as it was evident Johnston was running out of energy.
After the win, Smith pointed toward the crowd in celebration — as the victory capped a perfect 4-for-4 run in the finals for the Wildcats to secure their back-to-back Class 3 state titles.
Johnston ends his season with a 53-2 record — both losses coming against Smith, who beat him by a 17-8 score at the Warrensburg tournament in the regular season.
“The nerves were going at the start of the match because I had never been to the finals before, but once the whistle blew everything goes out of your body and it is just another match after that,” Smith said. “I knew I could beat him, and that he would break and get tired. I stuck to the game plan that coach told me to, and I couldn’t have done it without him.”
Smith said it was a dream come true ending to his high school career.
“This is what I wanted my whole life, since I have been wrestling in second grade,” Smith said. “It all coming to an end is kind of emotional.
“I have been wrestling since second grade, and my senior classmates have been wrestling longer. It is really sad to see it all over. It is bittersweet, but I am glad we won. It is a great group to wrestle with, and I am honored to be a part of this team.”
Smith said the senior wrestlers have already talked about how important it will be to keep in touch in the future.
“We have a lot of memories,” Smith said.
Smith reached the finals by dominating his semifinal match against Summit’s Drew Lance. Smith scored a takedown in the first period to go up 2-0 and added a takedown and an escape in the second period to finish with a 5-0 victory.
