McNeal, Gross Take Podium For Ste. Gen
By ERIC X. VICCARO
EVICCARO@STEGENHERALD.COM
INDEPENDENCE — For Ste. Genevieve High School 126-pound senior Dalton McNeal, this marked the end of a glorious road.
Meanwhile, the journey is only beginning for Dragon 106-pound freshman Gage Gross.
Both Gross and McNeal earned fourth-place medals at the Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 2 Tournament on Thursday, March 11, at Cable Dahmer Arena.
McNeal produced a stellar record of 36-7 during the 2020-21 campaign, and he finished his scholastic career with a 133-45 mark.
“I am very proud of how Dalton ended his season,” Ste. Genevieve head coach Jared Bonnell said. “I only wished he could have ended it the way he wanted, as a state champion. I know he gave everything he had.”
Bonnell also gave Gross equal praise. Gage compiled a 28-4 mark in his first high school season.
“Gage won two come-from-behind matches at state to secure a place in the top four,” Bonnell noted. “He also almost pulled an upset in his semifinal match. Gage has a lot of talent, and he needs to keep working to be a dominant force in the lighter weight divisions.”
McNeal, by virtue of being a sectional champion, drew a first-round bye. He then recorded a defensive 4-0 decision over Pleasant Hill’s Dalton Coe.
Eventual state champion Keith Ransom of Mexico earned a 4-0 decision over McNeal. Sullivan’s Dillon Witt won by decision in the third-place match, another 4-0 outcome. All three of McNeal’s bouts resulted in the same score, an oddity for sure.
Gross opened up his tournament trail with a third-period pin over Nevada’s Kynndrick Brooks. Then he recorded a thrilling 8-6 sudden victory over Gage Lock from Helias Catholic (Jefferson City).
In the semifinals, Monett’s Simon Hartline scored a 12-8 decision over Gross, despite Gage nearly pinning Hartline late in the bout. St. Clair’s Ryan Meek recorded a 16-0 technical fall in the third-place match (it was stopped at the 3:00 mark).
Other Dragon wrestlers had some success, and Ste. Genevieve tallied 44 points altogether. That resulted in a 14th-place finish in a Class 2 field with 44 scoring teams.
“We are not particularly satisfied with 14th as our team finish,” Bonnell said. “I didn’t think we wrestled very well overall, and I know the team felt that way as a whole too.”
With Bonnell entrenched as coach for many seasons, he has high standards for a program that deserves to be in conversation with the likes of state champion Pleasant Hill, Monett, Helias and Cameron.
At 113 pounds, Bryant Schwent earned one win — a second-period pin over Dexter’s Diego McCormick (2:23).
In the heaviest two weight groups, including 220, the Dragons had some modicum of success; however, Ste. Genevieve didn’t reach the podium.
Dale Propst, a junior 220-pounder who greatly improved this season, earned a hard-fought 2-0 decision over Sullivan’s Kyler Martin.
But, Alex Meyer from St. Charles West recorded a 2-0 decision over Propst in the consolation semifinals. Still, Propst is a two-time state qualifier.
Also a two-time state qualifier is Ryan Schmelzle, who earned a 6-1 decision over Michael Sanner from Helias in the opening round.
However, Harrison Merriman of Monett and Eben Crain of Reeds Spring both pinned Schmelzle in the opening period, with respective times of :38 and :42.
Gavin Gross (132), Nathan Selby (138), Levi Wiegand (152), Ethan Ogden (170) were unable to pick up any victories at state. This marked Selby’s final tournament as well, posting a 25-15 record as a senior.
