Lily Brower ended her high school wrestling career on a positive note with a third-place medal as she was the only Platte County girl to make it past opening day of the Class 2 State Tournament at Mizzou Arena on Feb. 25.
Brower was the third Lady Pirate to earn a state medal in the brief history of the growing program. The 115-pound senior was ready from the get-go, dominating her first match of the tournament, pinning Gracie Metzger from Jackson in 1:09.
Out of the five Lady Pirates who made it to Mizzou Arena, Brower was one of only two that won her first match. The senior dropped her next match, a 12-8 decision against Laramie Horstman from Francis Howell North.
TANNER COBB/Citizen Photos
Platte County senior Lily Brower smiles in her opening state match when she pinned Jackson’s Gracie Metzger in 1:09 en route to earning a bronze medal in the 115-weight class at Mizzou Arena on Feb. 25.
Brower bounced back with a quick win by fall – doing so in 24 seconds – against Chaire Perks from Rockwood Summit to secure a spot in day two, unlike all of her teammates. The senior rattled off three wins by fall on the second day to bring home a bronze medal.
EmmaLyn Burnett joined Brower with a tournament opening win but wasn’t able to share the feat of competing on day two with a chance to medal. Burnett’s fate ended with two losses in a row in the quarterfinals and wrestlebacks as her first trip to state resulted in a 1-2 record.
Burnett’s most competitive match was her first one when she narrowly pulled out an 8-7 decision win over Katelyn Guth (Francis Howell Central). The Lady Pirate would go on to be pinned in 2:24 by Toby Goertz (Wildwood Lafayette) and lose on a 7-1 decision to Brianna Simpson (Staley).
Haley Burge (110) was the first Lady Pirate to compete at state, being pinned by Sophia Miller from Francis Howell Central – who was a district champion – in 1:51. What ended up being her sole state win was a 3:25 pin over Natalie Ford from Lindbergh in the first round of the consolation side of the bracket.
The 110-pounder’s career came to a close with a 52-second pin against Jaden Breeden from Liberty. This was Burge’s first state trip after four years of being a key contributor.
Hannah Mand’s high school wrestling career came to a close with one win and two losses to 110-pound opponents. Mand dropped her first match, bounced back in her next one, then was eliminated in the second round of wrestlebacks.
Jackson’s Mallorie Metzger pinned Mand in 1:42; then the Lady Pirate had some life for a state medal run, taking down Francis Howell North’s Laramie Horstman with a 6-4 decision. Her senior campaign ended with a record of 30-14 following a 2:38 pin against Nixa’s Mylee Harper.
Giada Cucchiara was the only Platte County girl who went winless, going 0-2 in the 135-weight class. Cucchiara lost on a 55-second pin and a 10-3 decision, ending her sophomore campaign with state experience.