By Chris Parker
Waynesville senior Gaven Sax came up one match short of the state finals last year as a junior.
This year, he was determined to not only make the final, but win it.
“Last year I lost in the semifinals. I knew this was going to be different,” Sax said.
This year was different.
Sax beat Park Hill’s Grayston Diblasi 6-1 to win the Class 4 152-pound title.
He was quick to give credit to his training partners and coaching staff.
“Aaron McDaniel helped me out so much during the season. I can’t thank him enough. Everybody else too; Mike, Tony, Ace and the Waynesville coach staff.” Sax said. “Everybody along the way helped me so much.”
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH PHOTOS – CLICK HERE
The first period ended with the match tied at 0-0. Then Sax made his move.
Sax scored a reversal 62 seconds into the second period to go up 2-0. After an escape by Diblasi, he took him down to go up 4-1 after three. The Waynesville senior secured another takedown with 53 seconds left in the match to extend his lead to 6-1.
Sax joins his older brother Sean as a state champion.
He said Sean had a simple message for him before the title bout.
“He just said to be calm and treat it like any other match. It is nothing special,” Sax said.
Sax finishes his season 43-1 record overall.
Nixa’s Zan Fugitt was the area’s other representative in the Class 4 state finals. He fell by a 4-3 decision to Desmet junior Colton King. Fugitt finshes the season with a 45-5 record as a freshman.
CONSOLATION MATCH PHOTOS – CLICK HERE
CLASS 4 THIRD & FIFTH PLACE FINISHERS
113 – 5th Place – Ryker Smith (Park Hill) 29-15 won by decision over Peyton Moore (Nixa) 46-7 (Dec 3-1)
126 – 3rd Place – Braxton Strick (Ozark) 48-7 won by decision over James Homfeld (Lindbergh) 38-7 (Dec 5-4)
145 – 3rd Place – Cole Ruble (Seckman) 39-12 won by decision over Jonathan O`connell (Republic) 53-2 (Dec 5-4)
160 – 3rd Place – Vincent Zerban (Christian Brothers College) 35-5 won by major decision over Aaron Mcdaniel (Waynesville) 33-4 (MD 8-0)
170 – 5th Place – Lucas White (Christian Brothers College) 34-8 won by fall over Kelten Campbell (Carthage) 36-8 (Fall 0:25)
220 – 5th Place – Isaiah Brisseaux (Marquette) 37-16 won by injury default over Kale Schrader (Carthage) 30-4 (Inj. 0:00)
