Steelville High School boys’ wrestling season ended after competing on Feb. 20-21 in the Class 1 District 1 tournament in Benton. Five Cardinals competed in Steelville’s second-year wrestling program under head coach Garrett Hagerty and assistant coach Kristie Jensen. 

Freshman Kyle Todd competed in the 106-pound class and lost by technical fall in his first bout and by fall in his second match. Todd finished his debut season with a 3-13 record and picked up two pins. 

Fellow freshman Jacoby Eaton wrestled in the 126-pound class and lost by pin at the 1:13 mark in his first match. He battled in his second match, but eventually lost 8-5 by fall for his second loss of the day. Eaton finished his first year with a 7-17 record and recorded two pins. 

Junior Owen Rutledge competed in the 150-pound class and wrestled in three matches. He dropped his first match by fall, but rallied in his second bout to secure a pin and pick up a victory. Rutledge lost by pin with just four seconds remaining in his third match and ended the day with a 1-2 record. He finished the year with a 9-17 record and picked up six pins on the season. 

Senior Blaze Alexander took a break from basketball and competed in the 175-pound class. He was pinned with 57 seconds remaining in his first bout and lost by fall in his second match. Alexander was 1-4 on the season and picked up a pin in his lone victory. 

Senior Aiden Retkowski put on one of Steelville’s strongest performances in districts. After receiving a first-round bye, he pinned his first opponent with 1:03 remaining in the match. In the semi-finals, Retkowski was pinned, but still had a chance to qualify for states in his third bout. In his final bout, he led 4-3 heading into the final period, but ultimately lost by fall, which ended his season and high school career. Retkowski finished his final season with an 11-9 record and picked up eight pins along the way.