COLUMBIA, Mo. — Hillsboro wrestler Jackson Tucker was determined to finish his high school career on a high note. Mission accomplished.

A four-time state finalist, Tucker capped his stellar career with a third consecutive state title Saturday night at Mizzou Arena with a second-period pin of Whitfield junior Jackson Bassett for the Class 3 championship at 144 pounds.

Tucker battled through a pair of offseason shoulder surgeries and finished the season 20-0.

"The people around me have been tremendously supportive and helped me stay positive,'' said Tucker, who will continue his career at the University of Arkansas Little Rock. "It was a little frustrating because I wanted to go, go, go. But I trusted my coaches to do what was best for me. It sucked at times, being forced to watch, but I made the adjustments I needed to make. I started running more. I think there were some who doubted me, but I think the injury helped me become stronger mentally. I watched a lot of film, and I learned by watching.

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"And then, when it came time to get back on the mat, I knew there'd be no stopping me."

Competing without a shoulder brace for the first time in a couple of seasons, Tucker thrived. He opened the state weekend with a pair of technical falls and then won 4-2 in the semifinals. Against Bassett, a returning third-place medalist, Tucker was in control from start to finish.

"Seeing Jackson finish his career strong means a lot,'' Hillsboro coach Matt Mitchell said. "He's such a hard worker, a good captain and leader for us. He's been a special part of this program and it's been a lot of fun coaching him. I can't wait to see what he does at the next level."

With 154.5 points, Hillsboro finished as runner-up in Class 3 to St. Pius X of Kansas City (201.5), with Whitfield (110.5) placing third and Platte County (103.5) taking fourth.

It was the fifth consecutive state trophy for the Hawks, who won the title in 2023, finished as runner-up in 2022 and 2024 and placed third in 2021.

In addition to the championship for Tucker, the Hawks received runner-up finishes from freshman Carter Pryor (38-7) at 106 and junior Carter Wallis (38-9) at 126. Wallis won state titles to cap his freshman and sophomore campaigns.

Pryor lost 4-0 to Landon Lane of St. Michael the Archangel in the title match at 106. At 126, Wallis fell 11-3 to his archrival, Aiden Hahn (44-3) of Farmington.

Other top finishers for Hillsboro, which had wrestlers in all 14 weight classes, were junior Evan Litzsinger (35-6), who placed third at 113; junior Griffin Morris (29-6), who took third at heavyweight; senior Wyatt Hendrix (34-12), who was fifth at 150; and senior Jordan Penick (32-14), who was sixth at 132.

"Obviously we wanted to win, but we have nothing to be ashamed of,'' Mitchell said. "We competed hard, and we'll be returning nine guys who've had some experience they can build on. The expectations are raised every year and it's fun to see these guys support each other. This year, we went through a lot — injury, sickness, adversity — and I love the way we stuck together. Now that it's over, I think these guys can all feel pretty good about the way they competed."

Whitfield earns 15th consecutive state trophy

With just seven wrestlers, Whitfield managed a third-place finish and earned a state trophy for the 15th straight season.

The Warriors were led by senior Rome Tate (42-6), who captured the title at 160 with four major decisions. He won 9-0 over Platte County's Evan MacCuish (42-5) in the title match.

"Warming up, I just felt really comfortable and confident,'' said Tate, a returning third-team Post-Dispatch All-Metro performer who earned a fifth-place medal as a sophomore and who placed third last year. "I started strong and if I remember right got a takedown and rode him out in the first period. In the second, I got a cradle and rode him out again. Up 7-0, I knew that I had things under control. But that's when I heard the guys on the side talking about needing the major to get the team third place. At that point, I knew I had to make sure and finish as strong as I could."

Tate added: "I've been wrestling since the fourth grade, and this is what I've been working for. All the hard work paid off and I accomplished a big goal. It feels great, even better than I thought it would."

Whitfield received runner-up finishes from senior Yashua Amen (41-5) at 132, senior Caleb Carter (42-6) at 138 and junior Jackson Bassett (44-5) at 144. And freshman Nolan Londe (25-15) came on strong this season to take fourth at 113.

Amen, who finished third at state last year, lost by major decision to four-time medalist and three-time champ Ryder Shelton (47-3) from Kearney. Carter, who placed third to close out his sophomore and junior seasons, lost 4-1 in overtime to Farmington's Presley Johnson (42-3).

Bassett, who took third last year as a sophomore, lost Saturday to Hillsboro's Tucker, a three-time champ and four-time finalist.

Also in Class 3

Fort Zumwalt South senior Kanyon Shurtz (41-7) lost by tech fall to two-time champ Jordan Bell (44-2) of St. Pius X of Kansas City in the title match at 113.

St. Pius X, which moved up after winning the Class 1 title a year ago, finished this year's meet with five champions and nine medalists.

Scenes from the Missouri boys wrestling state championships

Parkway South sophomore Camron Duffield celebrates after his match during MSHSAA wrestling state championship round on March 1, 2025 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.

Parkway South sophomore Camron Duffield scores points during MSHSAA wrestling state championship round on March 1, 2025 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.

Lafayette sophomore Carter Brown watches a match during MSHSAA wrestling state championship round on March 1, 2025 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.

CBC sophomore Colin Rutlin throws his opponent during MSHSAA wrestling state championship round on March 1, 2025 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.

Parkway South sophomore Camron Duffield during MSHSAA wrestling state championship round on March 1, 2025 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.

The beginning of a match during MSHSAA wrestling state championship round on March 1, 2025 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.

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