Johnson, Longobardi punch ticket to state wrestling tournament

Nevada High School's Jacob Johnson at the podium after sweeping to a championship finish at the Class 2 District 3 wrestling tournament in Clinton. (Submitted photo)

A pair of Nevada High School wrestlers have qualified for the upcoming Class 2 state tournament in Columbia.

Nevada senior Jacob Johnson swept his way to a championship in the 220-pound weight class at the Class 2 District 3 meet held Friday and Saturday in Clinton, while teammate and cousin Caleb Longobardi qualified for state in the 195-pound weight class.

Johnson's performance at the district meet cemented his status as one of the top 220-pound wrestlers in the state, as he improved to 43-2 overall with 37 pins.

"Jacob continued to do what he has done all year, he pinned all three of his opponents this weekend" first-year NHS wrestling coach David Hawks said.

Longobardi had to navigate a more treacherous road to the state tournament than Johnson, after dropping his opening-round match on Friday. Longobardi then had to win two matches in a row in order to qualify for state.

After winning the first of the two matches, Longobardi then secured his trip to the state tournament in dramatic fashion after winning his second match in overtime.

"He stepped up when his back was against the wall and competed really well on Saturday," Hawks said.

Hawks added that he was impressed with the overall performance of his squad.

"All the boys wrestled well at the district tournament," he said. "It was a great experience for them to learn from and improve for next season."

Hawks continued, "Corbin Eastwood (120 pounds) and Clay Landoll (138 pounds) were both just one win away from qualifying from the state tournament," Hawks noted.

NHS district meet results

* 106 pounds: Brock Marquardt, 1-2 overall.

* 120 pounds: Corbin Eastwood, 2-2 overall.

Pictured from left: Nevada Tiger wrestling coaches Mason Heard and David Hawks, Nevada Class 2 state tournament qualifiers Caleb Longobardi and Jacob Johnson, and coaches TJ Raney and Josh Smith. (Submitted photo)

* 132 pounds: Jeremiah Murphy, 0-2 overall.

* 138 pounds: Clay Landoll, 2-2 overall

* 145 pounds: Tyler Armstrong, 0-2 overall.

* 152 pounds: Jarron Powrie, 1-2 overall.

* 170-pounds: Spencer Hawkins, 1-2 overall.

* 182 pounds: Adam Guenther, 2-2 overall.

* 195 pounds: Caleb Longobardi, 2-2 overall.

* 220 pounds: Jacob Johnson, 3-0 overall, and champion of weight class.

Up next

Johnson and Longobardi's seasons continue at the Missouri Class 2 State Wrestling Championships in Columbia. Opening-round matches are set for Thursday, while the tournament runs through Saturday.

Check a future edition of the Daily Mail for state tournament updates