High school wrestling: Burroughs tourney an early test for Valle
Valle Catholic’s Kaden Gegg (red), one of the top lightweights in the area, practices during a training session on Wednesday, Nov. 24, in the school’s weight room. (PHOTO BY ERIC VICCARO/Herald staff)
By ERIC VICCARO
eviccaro@stegenherald.com
The Valle Catholic High School wrestling team is coming off a historic season thanks to the performance of first-time state medalist Josh Bieser.
Bieser, and the rest of the Warriors, will take to the mat Thursday, Dec. 2, for their season-opening triangular at Brentwood with Ritenour.
“This will be the first time we dual Brentwood during the regular season,” Valle Catholic head coach Jacob Gegg said. “They are usually a top-three team in our district every year. It will be a good measure of where we are in relation to our district competition.”
Valle Catholic has some first-time opponents this season, including Ritenour on opening night.
Other first-time foes for the Warriors are as follows: Affton, St. Pius X (Festus) and St. Mary’s (St. Louis).
Gegg said with 18 athletes reported out for wrestling, the Warriors will field close to a full line-up.
“That allows us to change our approach, and teams we can compete with,” Gegg said.
The Warriors will have three challenging tournaments during December, including the 45-team spectacular Battle at Katy Trail in Sedalia on Dec. 18-19.
“It features most of the Class 1 teams throughout the state, so we are really looking forward to this opportunity,” Gegg said of the Battle at Katy Trail. “It’s the toughest tournament on our schedule, and we should get a pretty good idea of how we line up on the state level.”
Valle Catholic will travel to the John Burroughs tournament this weekend, and then the Colombo Classic at Tower Grove Christian on Dec. 11.
Home events are few and far between this year for Valle Catholic — a Jan. 6 triangular with Maplewood and Hancock, another triangular on Jan. 13 with New Madrid County Central and Potosi and finally Jan. 31 versus St. Mary’s.
Other schedule highlights include the Ste. Genevieve Duals on Jan. 8 and the Bob Georger Classic at DeSoto on Jan. 28-29.
The regular season wraps up on Feb. 3 at Gateway Science Academy with Lutheran and Roosevelt.
The Class 1 District 1 tournament will take place on Feb. 11-12, with the tournament host still yet to be determined.
This year, with less of a concern regarding COVID-19, the postseason has been shortened considerably — which only will help ramp up the intensity.
The Missouri State High School Activities Association state meet will take place from Feb. 17-19 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.
(Editor’s Note: For the complete story and statistics, subscribe to either the print or electronic editions of the Ste. Genevieve Herald. Subscribe: 1-573-883-2222.)
