The Collinsville wrestling team could not hold a strong start, but still managed to finish 12th of 24 teams in what Head Coach Tom Blaha called one of the toughest tournaments in the Midwest.

Image by Roger Starkey

The Kahoks were in 6th place after day one of pool play at the 53rd William “Red” Schmidt Holiday Tournament in Granite City. Calling it one of the most difficult tournaments the Kahoks have entered since he took over the program in 2001, Blaha said he was excited with the results from the first day.

The final day of the two-day tournament was not as kind to the Kahoks, who dropped to 12th place. The team was “tired and did not compete as hard” the second day, Blaha said, but the tournament was a learning experience for this his team.

“Hopefully they realize where they are at and how much harder they have to work the second half of the year if they want to make a trip to the state tournament in February at the University of Illinois,” Blaha said.

Neosha, Mo. won the team title. Alton took 4th place, the best finish for an area team.

Cody Pope was Collinsville’s top finisher, taking 4th place at 106 pounds. Dylan Johnson fnished fifth at 170, Jacob Blaha placed 7th at 120, Zach Stephenson and David Jackstadt finished in 8th place at 138 and 160 pounds, respectively.

The Kahoks return to Southwestern Conference action Jan. 9 and 10. Collinsville travels to Belleville East for a 6 p.m. meet Jan. 9 and then to Edwardsville for a 6 p.m. meet the following night.

Team results from the 53rd William “Red” Schmidt Holiday Tournament

1.  Neosho, Mo  661.0

2.  Lincoln-Way Central  602.5

3.  Washington, Mo.  466.5

4.  Alton  391.5

5.  Lafayette  389.5

6.  Staley  375.0

7.  Plainfield South  359.5

8.  Aurora West  353.5

9.  Timberland  342.5

10.  Granite City  340.0

11.  Minooka  330.5

12.  Collinsville  327.0

13.  CBC – St. Louis  299.5

14.  Ft. Zumwalt West  256.5

15.  East St. Louis  250.0

16.  Whitfield  230.0

17.  Christian Brothers (Memphis)  221.0

18.  McCluer North  220.0

19.  Northwest  208.0

20.  Triad  204.5

21.  Cahokia  200.0

22.  Mt. Zion  190.5

23.  South Elgin  165.0

24.  O`Fallon  110.5