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1 Powers collidePark Hill can win its third Missouri Class 4 state title in four seasons, but there’s just one problem: Blue Springs, the Class 4 defending team champ, stands in the way. Park Hill features seven district champions and 11 state qualifiers, including sophomore John Erneste (113) and junior Russell Coleman (132). But Blue Springs counters with eight qualifiers, a list that includes Darick Lapaglia (138) and Greg Hegarty (145).The biggest individual battle could play out in the 126-pound division, where Park Hill freshman Colston DiBlasi will attempt to dethrone Blue Springs’ Daniel Lewis, a sophomore. Lewis, who won a Class 4 state title last year at 103 pounds, is 38-2 — but one of those losses came against DiBlasi. Each team point could be precious.2 Can Staley close the deal?In Class 3, it will likely be a battle between Staley’s depth and Kearney’s top-tier talent. Staley’s twin brothers, Aaron (152) and Trevor Engle (160), have provided a spark to a program that’s been on the rise for the last few years, and Staley held off the Bulldogs at last weekend’s district meet. But Kearney had five district champions: junior Jaret Singh (113), junior Kevin Kinney (132), sophomore Grant Leeth (138), senior Tanner Minder (145) and senior Morgan Fitzgerald (170). Lastly: Don’t forget about Oak Park, which will certainly have a say in the proceedings. 3 Can Oak Grove repeat?Last season, Oak Grove snapped a six-year drought while celebrating the Class 2 state title. One year later, a repeat isn’t out of the question. But after losing some major talent to graduation, it could be a tough task. Still, senior Chase Wrisinger (45-3) dominated the 170-pound division at the District 4 meet, scoring two pins en route to the title. Wrisinger, who finished runner-up at 152 last year, will be primed for a nice run at state, while Anthony Barker (132) could also be a factor after a third-place finish at 119 last season.4 The unbeatensThere’s nothing better than perfection. And Staley’s Trent Hosick should know. After leading the Falcons to a 14-0 record and Class 5 state title in football, Hosick, a junior heavyweight (25-0), now has an opportunity to finish off a flawless wrestling campaign. Among the other Kansas City-area wrestlers shooting for perfection: Lee’s Summit West senior Matthew Lemanowicz (49-0) will compete for a Class 4 title at 152 pounds; Oak Park junior Brad Perkins (33-0) will battle for a Class 3 title at 120; and Oak Park teammate Hashem Omari (38-0) will gun for a title at 195. 5 Size doesn’t matterTwo of Kansas City’s biggest favorites to take home individual titles couldn’t be more different. Park Hill’s Ke-Shawn Hayes is a 106-pound freshman who has yet to lose to an opponent from Missouri this season. Meanwhile, Lee’s Summit West’s Evan Boehm is a 285-pound senior who did a front handspring during warmups at the district meet and will try to defend his Class 4 title at 285. They go about it different ways, but both wrestlers make the sport look like an art form.Read more High School
Posted on Wed, Feb. 15, 2012 09:56 PM
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| Rustin Dodd, rdodd@kcstar.com






