The Palmyra High School boys wrestling team made a strong statement at Districts, finishing 4th overall and qualifying six athletes for the upcoming State Wrestling Championships, set for February 26th and 27th in Columbia.
Leading the charge were Blake Rife (113 lbs) and Emmett Lorenson (120 lbs), both finishing as district runners-up. Rife capped the tournament with a solid 34-14 record, contributing 17.0 team points, while Lorenson added 21.5 points, improving his season mark to an impressive 36-10.
At 165 pounds, Brayden Pillars continued his stellar season, also finishing 2nd. With a dominant 44-4 record and 21.5 team points, Pillars remains a strong contender heading into State.
Adding crucial points to the team’s overall success, Luke Lawson (132 lbs) and Michael Hines (138 lbs) both battled to 4th-place finishes, scoring 13.0 and 15.5 points respectively. At heavyweight, Ace Harper (285 lbs) secured 3rd place, contributing 10.0 points with a 30-16 season record.
The Panthers now shift focus to State, where they’ll compete against the top talent from across Missouri. Congratulations to the entire team and best of luck to Blake, Emmett, Luke, Michael, Brayden, Ace, and Elly as they take on the next challenge in Columbia!
