ODESSA – On Jan. 29, as the Tigers competed at the Odessa Invitational, senior Ayden Dolt continued to make his case as the one of the contenders for a Class 2 boys state wrestling title.

Competing in the 152-pound division, Dolt was the lone Excelsior Springs grappler to claim a championship, going 5-0, notching three wins by pin, one by technical fall and one by a major decision.

Dolt, who won the Class 2 title last season at 145, knows he has a target on his back entering the postseason.

“I feel like people are coming after me, trying to take the state championship from me; and this is where diamonds are made from – the toughest guys coming after me – and that’s the kind of stuff I want to give me more reason to come away with a second state title,” he said.

Dolt, who helped the Tigers place sixth with 98.5 points, was among five top-five finishers for Excelsior Springs.

Jonah Cowden went 4-1 and placed third at 145. Junior JB Prestia also placed third, going 2-2 at 195. Freshman Justin Wright went 2-3 and took fourth at 285. Sophomore Micah Danner went 3-2 and placed fifth at 126.

The tournament capped a week that also featured a Jan. 25 home triangular with Oak Grove and top-ranked Pleasant Hill. Excelsior Springs fell to Pleasant Hill 48- 30 and Oak Grove 48-36.

Against Pleasant Hill, freshman Ryne Marcum won by fall at 120 against Troy Gustin. Danner topped Dalton Coe at 126 with a third-period pin.

Senior Landen Davis could not finish his 132 match with Sam Ewing because of an injury. Sophomore Gage Peterie lost to Lane Snyder at 138 by a firstround pin.

Dolt picked up the only other win against the Roosters, defeating Ryan Volland with a first-period pin at 152.

Freshman Anthony Circo went down to Brayden Bush in the first period at 182. Prestia lost by fall to Jacob Hanes at 195. Sophomore Lane Crowley fell in the second period at 220. Wright lost at 285 by a first-period pin, as did fellow freshman Wyett Shipman at 106.

The Tigers jumped ahead early against Oak Grove, but they could not hold on for the victory. Marcum opened with a first-period pin over Chase Henderson. Danner then pinned Colten Clark in 48 seconds. Peterie dropped the 138 match to

Peterie dropped the 138 match to Jordan Hall in 58 seconds. Cowden put the Tigers back on the board with a second-period pin of Sheldon Waller.

Dolt, who bumped up to 160, defeated Carson Smith in 47 seconds by pin. But then, the Tigers dropped four matches, with Circo, Prestia, Crowley and Wright all losing by fall. Freshman Dominick Betts finished the competition with a win by fall at 113.

The week also featured a Jan. 27 homedual with Marshall. The Owls edged the Tigers 42-38.

Shipman took the 106 match into the third period before losing by fall to Dawson Borja. Freshman Kaden Verdi lost by pin in the first period to Tytus Bellamy. Marcum took control of a back-and-forth match in the third period by pinning Trevor Bellamy.

Freshman Kolin Kincaid lost by a firstperiod pin at 132 to Brody Marquess. Cowden held on for a 4-3 victory over Brenden Marquess before Dolt took care of Isaac Jackson with a win by technical fall, 17-2. Circo and Prestia each lost by pin.

This week, Excelsior Springs had a dual scheduled Tuesday with Center, but it was canceled. With the Yellowjackets off the calendar, the Tigers will begin focusing on next weekend’s Class 2 District 4 Tournament at Excelsior Springs.