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Short day in tough bracket at states
BY GEOFF COX • STAFF WRITER
 | | Charger Matt O'Conner is tied up by Lee County's Greer Kilgore in his second and final match at states. O'Conner fought hard through three sets but fell in the end to end his day in Salem. (Recorder photo by Geoff Cox) |
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SALEM - Charger Wrestling coach Chuck Burger hoped for two things to happen last weekend at the state wrestling tournament in Salem. One was for a no-show, so Charger senior Travis Williams could move up from an alternate slot. The other was for Matt O'Conner to get a good draw in the seedings. Neither happened.
In the battle of district champions that is the state wrestling tournament, all grapplers came to make their case for a state medal.
O'Conner's path started with a match-up against Wilson's Cody Via in the 140-pound class. The match lasted less than half a minute when Via (33-3) pinned O'Conner with a cradle. O'Conner was one of three victims who fell on the move by Via. Via won his way to the title match and took second.
After the loss, O'Conner dropped into the consolation bracket and met Greer Kilgore of Lee County. O'Conner battled Kilgore to a scoreless first-period tie.
In the second period, Kilgore took a three-point lead with a takedown. Kilgore took control in the third period as O'Conner tired. Consecutive takedowns had O'Conner fighting for his tournament life.
Unwilling to be pinned out, O'Conner struggled and fought, eventually separating a shoulder. Unable to continue, O'Conner forfeited the match and ended his tournament.
For the season O'Conner took his second district title, his first at 119 pounds in 2006, and ended the year with a 15-5 record at 140 pounds.
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