Francis Howell Central Celebrates State Success

With an impressive record and an experienced lineup, Francis Howell Central wrestling Coach Steve Cross expected to do well last weekend in the Class 4 State Wrestling Tournament at Columbia.

“We knew going in that we had a solid team, we wanted very much to win,” Cross said. “We came up a little short but at the same time we wrestled well.”

The Francis Howell Central Spartans behind Blue Springs High School (173), a Kansas City-area school. Park Hill High School, another Kansas City school, placed third (121).  

Howell Central compiled an impressive 13-1 record in dual meets this year. The Spartans travelled to the state tournament with a crew of varsity wrestlers who were experienced in state level competition, as the Spartans placed third at state last year.

“The first year at state is the toughest for a lot of kids,” Cross said. “It’s a big arena we’re wrestling in, but for the kids who have been there a few times, they’re a lot more comfortable.”

Senior Terrel Wilbourn paced the Spartans’ performance at state, as we won a state championship in the 140-pound weight class. Wilbourn’s post-season accomplishments are many; a three-time state champion, Wilbourn took home the big prize at 130 pounds as a junior and at 112 pounds as a sophomore. He placed fifth as a freshman at 103 pounds. 

“He’s had a lot of success at the national level in winning a few national titles,” Cross said. “He’s not only one of the better guys in the state but also in the nation.”

Wilbourn won the final match of his high school career on Feb. 19. He finished the season with a 28-1 mark.

“When I saw the final seconds wind down on the clock it was very exciting,” Wilbourn said. “I couldn’t hold back my emotions.”

The senior defeated Blue Spring’s Keenan Hagerty in the championship match with a score of 6-3. Wilbourn’s only loss of the season came at the hands of Hagerty.   

“I thought there would be pressure for me to win again when I got there,” he said. “But I found a way to get that pressure under control.”

Wilbourn said that a nap he took before his final match made a difference.

“It made me relaxed and calm and then I could do what I do best,” he said.

Also placing for the Spartans at state were seniors Wyatt Miller, Matt Green, Luke Knoche, Andy King and Ben Henson. Miller was fifth at 189 pounds while Green was third at 171 pounds and King and Knoche were fourth at 152 pounds and 160 pounds.  Sophomore John Wood placed second at 135 pounds.

“It was good to see so many seniors with state medals,” Cross said.

Seniors Brain Paur (heavyweight) and Justin Dickey (145 pounds) and junior Cole Anderson (215 pounds) didn’t place but scored points in the state tournament, which proved to be crucial for the Spartans' second place finish.

“When you go to state you need a total team effort,” Cross said. “And we had kids who didn’t place but scored that put us in second.”