Hounds advance four onto Class 1 State Tournament

For the third consecutive year, Maryville's wrestling team notched four state qualifiers from Saturday's Class 1 District 4 Tournament in Bethany.

Headed back to the Class 1 State Tournament are sophomore Brendan Weybrew (285 pounds), sophomore

Nate Alexander (126 pounds) and senior Derek Steins (145 pounds). They'll be joined by a first-timer, sophomore Dane Hull.

Weybrew (38-3) won the district title at 285 pounds, becoming Maryville's first district champion since 2009. The No. 4-ranked heavyweight pinned Tarkio's Keaton Shaw at the very end of the first period in their finals match.

One of four district champions, Weybrew will wrestle a No. 4 seed from an opposing district in his opening round match at state.

Stiens and Alexander each made it back to state with third place finishes.

A three-time state qualifier, Stiens pinned Hamilton's Quinten Figley in his third place match. Alexander won a 4-3 decision over Marceline's Kyle Bell.

Hull took fourth at 152 pounds, losing a 1-0 decision to Matt Stoll in the third place match.

As a team, the Hounds scored 76 points and finished seventh for the second consecutive year.

Brookfield repeated as district champions with 205 points. South Harrison was second with 154 points followed by Stanberry in third and Trenton in fourth.

Tarkio and Hamilton were the other two teams ahead of Maryville.

The Class 1 State Tournament begins Thursday at 8 a.m. from Mizzou Arena in Columbia.