Collins joins list of ES state champs, keeps streak going
COLUMBIA – Excelsior Springs has another state boys wrestling champion.
Cooper Collins won the 113-pound title at the Class 2 tournament, held Feb. 22-23 at Mizzou Arena. The firstyear high schooler joined 22 other Excelsior Springs grapplers with at least one state title, including those in now-retired divisions, according to Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) records. In addition, MSHSAA records indicate he also extended Excelsior Springs’ streak of producing a state champion to four straight seasons a streak that started in 2020 with Damon Ashworth winning the Class 2 152 title.
Collins’ title run started with a win by fall over Reed Springs’ Shane Pearson. He capped his first day of competition with a 9-6 decision over Ste. Genevieve’s Drake Meyer.
On his second day, Collins defeated Kirksville’s Justin Schutter 8-5 in winner’s-bracket semifinal action, then pinned Eldon’s Jesiah Simmons in the title match. He capitalized on a mistake by Simmons to get…