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Feb 9, 2009 Austin Brawner, Justin Britt, Trevor Byrd and Tyler Zimmerman are on a roll after the Lebanon wrestlers captured Ozark Conference titles on Saturday at Hillcrest High School in Springfield. They helped the Yellowjackets place second at the meet, just 1.5 points behind the winner, Waynesville. Now, they will prepare for the Missouri Class 4 District 3 meet, which will hold its seed meeting on Thursday. Lebanon head coach Randy Roark said the key to the Yellowjackets strong performance at the conference meet was its performance against the champion — Waynesville — as three of Lebanon’s wrestlers recorded big wins over a Tiger opponent they had lost to earlier in the season. Zimmerman had lost to Russell Flores earlier in the season, but recorded a second-period pin over the Waynesville wrestler in a testy match on Saturday. Austin Brawner lost to Gabe Asano, 18-9, earlier in the season, but pinned him in Saturday’s title match. And Nick Nekola defeated Julian Hutchins in a semifinal, 15-6, on Saturday after falling to the Waynesville wrestler 19-8 earlier this season. The match was so close that had any little thing gone Lebanon’s way, they would have won the conference team title. Had they pulled out another individual title, they would have won easily. Lebanon’s Kyle Hansen (125 pounds), Aaron Starnes (135), Nick Nekola (152) and Zach Drinkal (189) all advanced to a championship match on Saturday. Drinkal took his opponent, Camdenton’s Clifton Luber, to overtime before falling to the state’s No. 4 ranked wrestler at 189-pounds in Missouri Class 3, 10-8. “We picked up a lot of (district) seeding criteria,” Roark said. “It is tough to get guys a seed at districts, especially in our district ... so those three matches (Brawner, Nekola and Zimmerman) helped us to hopefully get a seed at districts.” The junior varsity won seven matches and placed second in four others. “They kind of dominated,” Roark said.

In the end, it seemed fitting that Waynesville High School was the only school that had a cheerleading squad at Hillcrest on Saturday for the Ozark Conference wrestling championship. Advertisement After all, Waynesville had the most to cheer about and celebrate. The Tigers captured their second consecutive conference title and third in the last five years on Saturday, edging second-place Lebanon 240-235. Rolla, Joplin and Hillcrest rounded out the top five. Waynesville and Lebanon each had four wrestlers win titles. Waynesville was led by Jake Cyr (119 pounds), Aaron Morgan (130), Eric Mateo (135) and Josh Cyr (160). Jake Cyr said seeing his teammates succeed gave him all the motivation he needed. "Oh yeah, definitely," he said. "If I see someone do good, I want to do as good as them or better." Waynesville coach Jeff Davis agreed, saying his team is a tight-knit bunch of wrestlers who look to each other for motivation. "They're a close-knit group, as you can tell," Davis said. "They're real tight, and that's what makes them such a good team." Tyler Zimmerman (140), Austin Brawner (145), Trevor Byrd (215) and Justin Britt (285) brought home titles for Lebanon. The conference championship was the third in a row for Britt, the state's top-ranked heavyweight. He won all three of his matches with first-period pins, improving his record to 39-0 with 35 pins. Despite his success, Britt said he wants to remain hungry and level-headed. "Keep working hard and keep believing in myself and having confidence," Britt said is the key to continuing his undefeated run. "But not overlooking people, not having a big head." Camdenton's Clifton Luber beat Lebanon's Zach Drinkall in the match of the night in the 189-pound championship. Luber scored a takedown against Drinkall in overtime to beat his friend and onetime training partner 10-8, his second win against Drinkall in three tries this year. "We just put it all on the line in that match," Luber said. "It was just a really cool thing to see." The crowd clearly appreciated the wrestlers' efforts, and Luber was equally appreciative of the crowd's support. "The crowd was phenomenal," Luber said. "That made the match, really." Hillcrest, which has already captured the unofficial Springfield city title by sweeping its duals with the other Springfield Public Schools, was the top finisher among city schools. Senior Keenan Berry led the way for the Hornets, beating Lebanon's Nick Nekola 15-6 to capture the championship at 152. "It's coming around," Berry said of the strides Hillcrest has made this season. "I think that we've been progressing. But now, since we beat some of the city schools, I think people are starting to recognize, and it's given us some confidence to do better and go further." Ozark Conference Championship At Hillcrest High School Team results 1, Waynesville, 240; 2, Lebanon, 235; 3, Rolla, 213; 4, Joplin, 153; 5, Hillcrest, 117; 6, Camdenton, 110; 7, Parkview, 55.5; 8, Kickapoo, 54; 9, Glendale, 48 Championship results 103 -- Brycen Miner (Joplin) def. Hunter Neighbors (Camdenton), pin, 1:14; 112 -- Blayne Shockley (Rolla) def Nathan Wilson (Hillcrest), pin, :51; 119 --Jake Cyr (Waynesville) def. Jesse Conaway (Rolla), 16-5; 125 --Caleb Friend (Joplin) def. Kyle Hansen (Lebanon), 15-7; 130 --Aaron Morgan (Waynesville) def. Chris Sanders (Rolla), 9-5; 135 --Eric Mateo (Waynesville) def. Aaron Starnes (Lebanon), 21-9; 140 --Tyler Zimmerman (Lebanon) def. Russell Flores (Waynesville), pin, 2:57; 145 --Austin Brawner (Lebanon) def. Gabe Asano (Waynesville), pin, 1:29; 152 --Keenan Berry (Hillcrest) def. Nick Nekola (Lebanon), 15-6; 160 --Josh Cyr (Waynesville) def. Masen Ridenhour (Rolla), injury default; 171 --Miles Copple (Joplin) def. Jordan Williams (Waynesville), pin, 1:31; 189 --Clifton Luber (Camdenton) def. Zach Drinkall (Lebanon), 10-8, OT; 215 -- Trevor Byrd (Lebanon) def. Trent Boyer (Rolla), pin, 3:13; 285 --Justin Britt (Lebanon) def. Kamron Davis (Waynesville), pin, 1:31

Victory on Senior Day Israel Potoczny israel@lebanondailyrecord.com Feb 4, 2009 Lebanon rolled over Branson on Senior Day Tuesday as seven seniors celebrated their final home match with a win. Jeff Vance (130 pounds), Steven Griggs (171), Trevor Byrd (215) and Justin Britt all posted wins as the varsity took care of Branson 56-19. Three other Lebanon seniors are members of the team, including Daniel Drinkall, who won both a junior varsity and exhibition match. Jeff Candler and John Herron have battled injuries this season. “That is a good group of seniors,” Lebanon head coach Randy Roark said. “We have a couple of seniors in the line-up that have been with us for four years and the other filled holes where we needed them and they’ve had pretty good years.” Also posting varsity wins were Tyler Eppler (103), Dane Bethel (112), Jacob Britt (119), Aaron Starnes (135), Austin Brawner (145), Nick Nekola (152) and Zach Drinkall (189). Britt remains undefeated as a heavy weight, as on Tuesday his weight class was open. “He has got a good shot at a title this season,” Roark said. Byrd, who won 16 junior varsity matches a year ago, has nearly doubled that total as a varsity wrestler this season, going 30-6. “He is in a tough bracket, there are three or four kids in his bracket at districts that have beaten him and he’s beaten them,” Roark said. “If he wrestles well, he could medal at state.” Jeff Vance returned to the varsity after missing his junior season. “It has hurt him (missing his junior year), but he’s tough,” Roark said. “he is wrestling really well right now. It took him a little while to get back in the swing of things.” Jeff Candler injured his collarbone early in the season, returned from the injury, then broke his collarbone. “He has been out all year,” Roark said. Daniel Drinkall is 25-3 for the junior varsity, but like many other, has talented performers ahead of him in his weight class, including younger brother Zach Drinkall. “He is in a tough spot,” Roark said. “He is good enough to be a varsity wrestler.” John Herron is behind Aaron Starnes and Austin Brawner in the middle weights. “We are pretty tough at the middle weights,” Roark said. “We are pretty tough there in the middle weights. It is tough to find him a spot — I wish we had more weight (classes).” Lebanon will compete at the Ozark Conference Tournament on Saturday at Hillcrest High School in Springfield.

LHS third at Blue Springs South, will host Senior Day today Israel Potoczny israel@lebanondailyrecord.com Feb 3, 2009 BLUE SPRINGS — The Lebanon wrestling team is warming up for the Ozark Conference meet and district tournament, placing third-place on Saturday at the Blue Springs South Tournament. Today, Lebanon will host Branson in its final home match of the senior. The team will be honoring its seniors before the match. On Saturday, Lebanon finished with 329 team points in the 13-team tournament, finishing behind winner Wentzville (436) and Platte County (343). Justin Britt. the state’s No. 1 ranked heavy weight in Missouri Class 4, remained undefeated as he won the heavy weight division. None of his three matches on Saturday made it past the first period as he won all three in by fall. Lebanon got third-place finishes from Aaron Starnes (135), Tyler Zimmerman (140), Austin Brawner (145), and fourth-place finishes from Jeff Vance (130), Zach Schneider (160) and Trevor Byrd (215). Kyle Hansen went 4-1 the first day of competition, but a hurt finger forced him out of the action during the second day. The Ozark Conference meet will be held Saturday at Hillcrest High School and the district meet will be held on Feb. 13-14 at Jefferson City.

Lebanon comes up big in close matches Israel Potoczny israel@lebanondailyrecord.com Jan 23, 2009 Lebanon’s ability to pull out close match’s was the difference on Thursday as they defeated Rolla at Carr Gymnasium 42-27. Wrestling at 135 pounds, freshman Aaron Starnes set the tone for the win when he defeated Joel Laney in overtime 4-3. Lebanon trailed 21-6 when Starnes took to the mat, with the Yellowjackets only six points coming via a first period pin by Kyle Hansen at 125 pounds. Tyler Zimmerman, the state’s No. 6 ranked wrestler at 140 pounds, followed Starnes with a pin of Don McDonough, cutting the Rolla lead to 21-15. Freshman Austin Brawner trailed Ryan Heflin by five points with 15 seconds remaining, but came back to force overtime and win the 145-pound match 11-9. Nick Nekola followed at 152 pounds and gave LHS its first lead at 24-21. Nekola and Tyler Chavez were tied at six when Nekola pinned Chavez at the 2:42 mark. “We won all the close one’s,” Lebanon head coach Randy Roark said. “Those were three big matches, they could have went either way and we pulled them out.” Lebanon won three of the four remaining matches, beginning with Steven Griggs at 171 pounds. Griggs was up big throughout the match, leading 19-8 at the end of the second period, and finished off John Hefheins with a pin at the 5:15 mark. Trevor Byrd led Trent Boyer 4-2 at the end of the first period and ended the match by pinning Boyer at the 2:59 mark. Justin Britt’s match with Marcus Hibbard nearly ended as soon as it began as Britt pinned the junior 53 seconds into the match. Undefeated, Britt remains the state’s No. 1 ranked heavy weight. “I expected us to be pretty solid,” Roark said. “We have all but three guys return from last year, and we have three freshmen stepping in (Tyler Eppler at 103 pounds, Dane Bethel at 112 and Brawner).” Junior varsity rolls In preparation for its home junior varsity tournament on Saturday, the Lebanon JV rolled to a 40-25 win over Rolla. The JV has posted a host of impressive performances this season, including a win of the Jefferson City JV Tournament. “There are quite of few kids on the JV that have wrestled varsity,” Roark said. “There are quite a few that swap back-and-forth with some of the varsity kids. “If we had a duel between the varsity and JV, there might a few varsity kids lose.” John Herron (140), Brett Chaffin (160), Kody Tipton (171), Dan Drinkall (189), Wyatt Byrd (215) and Dave Stewart (285) were all winners for Lebanon on Thursday.

Britt, Zimmerman win at Jefferson City Invitational LDR Staff Jan 20, 2009 JEFFERSON CITY — Justin Britt and Tyler Zimmerman were champions on Saturday as Lebanon placed fourth at the 12-team Jefferson City Invitational. Britt (heavy weight) and Zimmerman (140 pounds) were both 5-0 on the day. Trevor Byrd (215) placed second for LHS, while Nick Nekola (152) placed third and Aaron Starnes (135) placed fourth. Dave Stewart won the junior varsity heavy weight title, going 5-0, and Wyatt Byrd (215) took second. The Lebanon JV also placed fourth in a 12-team tournament. Lebanon will host Rolla on Thursday.

No. 1 Britt pins No. 2 McMullin in less than 30 seconds Israel Potoczny israel@lebanondailyrecord.com Jan 14, 2009 With Tuesday’s match having already been decided in Willard’s favor, the heavy weight showdown was for bragging rights. And rest assured Lebanon still has the top dog. For the second time this season, Lebanon heavy weight Justin Britt, backed up his No. 1 ranking in Missouri Class 4 against Willard’s Chris McMullen. McMullen, a two-time defending state champion who is ranked No. 2 in Missouri Class 3, was handed his only loss of the season in districts by Britt last year. Britt then opened the 2008-2009 season by backing up the win on Dec. 6 at the Neosho Tournament. On Tuesday, Britt made short work of McMullin in the rematch, pinning the senior in 28 seconds. But according to Britt, the win could have come even earlier. “I should have had that shot right at the start,” he said. Undefeated this season at 25-0, Britt became the fifth wrestler in LHS history to reach 100 career wins on Jan. 8 at Camdenton. He joins Willie McCowan (134, 1996-99), Nathan Rogers (116, 2004-07), Tim Sperry (112, 1992-96) and Jake Starnes (107, 2004-07) as the winning Lebanon wrestlers in school history. Britt said the biggest difference between his senior season and junior year is experience and confidence. Britt wasn’t the only LHS wrestler to find success in Tuesday’s 39-27 loss. Trevor Byrd continued his impressive performance at 215 pounds this season. Last year, he was just 1-4 in varsity matches, primarily wrestling for the junior varsity where he won 16. Byrd said knocking heads on a daily bases with then-senior James Rabe in practice helped prepare him for varsity. This year, Byrd has already won 25 matches and he improved to 25-4 with a win on Tuesday. “Last year, I had a great senior in front of me (Rabe), pushing me as hard as I could go ... I’m in the weight room every day with my other teammates and you reap what you sow,” Byrd said. Lebanon will compete at the Jefferson City Invitational on Friday and Saturday, then return home for a match with Ozark Conference rival Rolla on Thursday. Tuesday’s match with Willard was the ‘Jackets first home match since its season opener on Dec. 2 against Jefferson City. “(It was) an awesome crowd tonight,” Byrd said.

Lebanon fifth at tournament Israel Potoczny israel@lebanondailyrecord.com Jan 5, 2009 Lebanon’s Trevor Byrd and Justin Britt win titles at Holiday Tournament SPRINGFIELD — Behind tournament titles by Justin Britt and Trevor Byrd, Lebanon placed fifth at the Springfield Holiday Tournament on Saturday. The two-day tournament, held at Parkview High School, featured 24 teams from three states. Britt, the No. 1 ranked heavy weight in Missouri Class 4 according to www.missouriwrestling.com, remained undefeated with a major decision (14-3) over Kickapoo heavy weight Casey Wiener in the title match. Wiener, 20-5, had posted an upset win over Willard’s Chris McMullin in the second match of the tournament. Britt, 23-0, posted wins over Lance Gregory (12-9), Nate Tulone (William Chrisman) en rote to the title match. Wrestling at 215 pounds, Byrd posted a 3-2 win over Central’s Sky Thomas in the title match. Thomas entered the match boasting a 21-2 record. Zach Drinkal, 15-10, lost in the third-place match at 189 pounds. He won his first match, but was pinned in the semifinals to Chris Jennings of Rockwood. Lebanon’s Tyler Zimmerman lost in the third-place match at 140 pounds after being eliminated by eventual champion Taylor Ball in the semifinals. Zimmerman is 18-6 this season, while Ball remains undefeated (16-0). Kody Tipton went 3-0 en route to a win in the ninth-place match at 171 pounds, Nick Nekola won a seventh-place match, pinning Rockwood’s Cody Decker, and Jeff Vance won a seventh-place match at 130 pounds. Lebanon will next compete on Thursday at Camdenton. Its next tournament competition will be on Friday and Saturday at the Jefferson City Invitational.

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