I think the Metro Classic this year had a series of big men performances that deserve mentioning in this topic. Here is Randy Hinderliter's account of the action:
"Team score was 10-22, Missouri’s biggest lead of the night.
DeSoto’s Neil Erisman is one of the finest young men I’ve had the privilege of meeting. It was that young man who was pitted against Blue Springs Jeff Bowman. This was a match up of State Champions, at 160 pounds. Erisman is arguably as disciplined of a takedown technician as we have in Kansas and he demonstrated that skill early. But Erisman is also a “grinding” rider. The final score of this match was not indicative of the dominance this Oklahoma State signee displayed. Erisman wins, 7-3 and closes the team score, to 13-22.
At 171 pounds we had 2-time State Champ, Nolan Kellerman from Lawrence versus Joe Henson from Platte County. Again in this bout we are reminded that this is a wrestling contest and that on any given evening, anyone can be beaten. For the first time tonight we had a real contrast in body and styles. The first period ended with a scoreless tie. The second started with Henson selecting bottom, a reversal by Henson, and an escape by Kellerman. The third started with Kellerman down and quickly earning the tying escape. With 47 seconds left Kellerman was trying for the takedown but it was earned by Henson who also scored 2-points on the near fall cradle. The Showme wins 2-6 and leads, 13-25.
Our second match at 171 pounds pitted Jimmy Stewart of Paola against Chris Brewer of Lee’s Summit West. State Champ, Jimmy Stewart was in control of this match from the beginning. But probably the move that impressed me the most was a standing “merkel” (side-by-side). It was Jimmy Stewart with the decisive major decision, 13-3. The team score closes to 17-25.
At 189 pounds we have Old Dominion signee and Holton product Jesse Strawn battling against Mitch Barnett from Liberty. In the first period, it was Strawn scoring the takedown and Barnett scoring the reversal. In the second, Missouri selected bottom and remained there for the entire period. In the third, Strawn reversed the starting position and trapped the Showme on his back for a 2-point near fall. The score was 6-2 and with 1.05 remaining Barnett worked for the escape. Strawn’s conditioning was fading and with 12 seconds left, Barnett scored a takedown but Jesse held on for the win. The team score was getting interesting, 20-25.
If Team Kansas had any hope, Olathe North’s Calen Born had to keep the momentum rolling. Calen has twice been a runner-up at the State tourney and his foe, Kyle Rose of Park Hill, was also a two-time runner-up. This match was probably the final match in one of their careers and one of them would go out a winner. The bout started with both battling but the period ended scoreless. Born opted to wrestle from the bottom position and quickly worked the escape. Born opened up and scored a takedown and a 3-point near fall. The Kansas crowd was cheering and Calen acknowledged. Calen closed out the bout earning an 8-0 win. Team score, 23-25!
In 1994 with one bout remaining, the teams were tied at 24. Missouri won that dual with a pin at heavyweight.
In 2000, Kansas had the lead with the heavies to go. Missouri again won the bout and the match.
What would the result be this year? The match, the dual, and the hopes of the Sunflowers, were riding on the shoulders of a heavyweight from Ottawa.
Both sides of the gymnasium were riotous as the final combatants stepped into the ring. Team Missouri had Levi Thompson from Raymore-Peculiar. Team Kansas offered Levi Bowen from Ottawa. The pressure was intense. Whether they wanted it or not … they were in the limelight! Perhaps the pressure was too intense.
In the first period both wrestlers seemed to be tentative … not wanting to make a critical mistake. As the period was winding down, Bowen tried a toss, Thompson ended up on top but they were out-of-bounds … no score.
Thompson selected bottom and earned the critical first point in the bout. The wrestlers were battling for position as the second period ended.
It was Bowen’s choice and he opted down. Initially, the decision looked to be a mistake. Thompson threw in the legs, for the Cowboy or Surfboard and was working Bowen over. Bowen was warned for stalling about midway through the period but Thompson was getting high. Bowen earned a reversal after escaping out the back. But Thompson quickly scrambled to his feet to gain the tie. With 43 seconds left, Bowen got to Thompson’s body and cut the angle he gained control but they were out-of-bounds. Thompson was now avoiding the ties and gave up a stall warning. Regulation time ended.
Thompson left the mat circle to tend to some blood and perhaps didn’t ask for permission first. Several Kansas fans were pleading the case to win the match on that infraction. I, and a few others, didn’t want to win the bout that way.
Overtime began, the Kansans were on their feet, and the Showme’s were on theirs. The Kansas chant of Bowen, Bowen, Bowen was deafening. Bowen was digging for under hooks and Thompson was backing out. Restart. Bowen still digging, the fans were chanting, Bowen gets to the body, gains an angle, and drives for the winning takedown.
Man, what a bout … what a dual!"
The big boys really came thru in the clutch for Kansas in the Metro this year and ended Missouri's streak of victories in this event. Great job to all of Kansas wrestlers in the Metro this year and especially to these big boys who came thru in the clutch.
