Republic sophomore Cody Sandridge beat a conference rival to take 5th place at the Class 3 state wrestling tournament in Columbia Saturday. Sandridge won a 3-1 decision over Connar Loderhose of Willard in the 5th place match of the 138-pound weight class. His finish is one spot better than last year, when he earned all-state honors and finished 6th as a freshman.
Earlier in the day, Sandridge had narrowly lost a 3-2 decision to Ladue’s Grant Sachs in the consolation semifinals. Sachs went on to finish 4th, losing to Cole Hamai of Washington.
Sandridge’s medal was a bright spot for the Tigers, who put together one of the best seasons in the program’s history, but ran into trouble at the state tournament. Kyle Campbell was the only Republic wrestler to win his opening match, putting the rest of the Tigers into wrestlebacks from the start. Only Sandridge survived to the medal rounds.
Other state participants for the Tigers were Kerik Crouse, Justin Rogers, Tanner Willis, and Brandon O’Connell.
The Tigers wrestling squad picked up a couple of wins at its meet last week at Springfield Central. Republic beat Central 63-12.
