1999 Metro Classic

After a 20 minute delay, waiting for all the fans to funnel into the KCKCC gym, the matches got started. Team Kansas started red hot jumping out to a 16-0 lead after the first 4 matches. At 103 Adam Stainbrook of Spring Hill (K) defeated Caleb Hunt of Park Hill (M), 13-7. At 112 Isaac Allen, Olathe East (K), decisioned Scott Cutbirth, Fort Osage (M), 9-6. Aaron Georg of Sabetha (K) came from behind to pin Robby Beebe of Oak Grove (M).

The 125# match was the highlight of the evening with two 4-time state champs facing off. Brandon Fox, a Stanford signee from Higginsville (M), toed the line against Blue Valley Northwest (K), Zach Roberson, who will wrestle for the Iowa State Cyclones. In the first period both were somewhat tentative but Roberson secured the takedown and rode out the period, to the chagrin of the Showme faithfuls. Fox elected to go down and about midway through the second found himself exposed for the five count. The third period was pure Roberson dominance as he opened up to take Fox down 5 times. The final score was 17-5.

Unfortunately for Kansas, their jubilation turned to pain as Missouri won the next 8 matches. Pipers (K), Brandon Jobe lost to Jeremy Baker of Blue Springs (M), 15-4 in the 130# class. At 135, Jon Gochenour from Prairie View (K) lost a close (7-5) match to Fort Osages' (M), Corey Crandall. At 140 Leavenworth (K) Jay Johnson lost a 7-3 decision to Aaron Tolen, of Oak Grove (M). The 145 # class pitted Hiawathas' (K) Daniel Upham against a victorious Wes Edwin, from Oak Park (M), with a score of 14-6. At 152, Pat Hegarty, Blue Springs (M) defeated Mark Denning, Blue Valley (K), 11-6. Ryan Hunter, a 160 pounder from Blue Springs (M), who was on his back to end the 2nd period, claimed a major decision over Casey Black of Ottawa (K), 12-4. 171# saw Spring Hill (K) Jason Ross lose a major decision to Brett Barbarick of Raymore-Peculiar (M).

Kansas still had a chance to come back for the team victory. Last year, the boys from Kansas pinned out starting at 189 for the upset victory. But that chance disappeared when Brad Johnson of Olathe East (K) forfeited with an injury to Oak Groves' (M), Travis Crall. At 215, Harmons' (K), Travis Hendrix decisioned Ron Clark from Raytown South (M) with a 6-3 score. At 275, Jeremy Duncan, Platte County (M), pinned Brandon Chambers of Wyandotte (K) at 2:47.

Final team score, Missouri 37, Kansas 19. Missouri was, once again, dominant on their feet. Their skills, developed in summer freestyle/greco programs, were clearly evident. Also evident were the apparent differences in the rules of each states high school activities associations. The Missouri bench was manned by the wrestlers regular season coach, who knew individual strengths and weaknesses. The Kansas high school coaches were cheering from the stands.

This article was contributed by Randy Hinderliter.

For additional information, go to the Sports Search Page in the Kansas City Star  and type "Roberson dominates" in the search box.