CEDAR HILL – Roosevelt White III has been a valued member of the Lafayette wrestling team for three years, despite almost no match experience.
The Lancers’ junior, who lost much of his left foot in an elevator accident at the age of 3, could not get under the 285 pounds permitted to compete in Missouri’s heaviest weight class.
At one point, White weighed 330 pounds and did not wrestle in any live matches during his freshman or sophomore seasons.
“It was a very good self-reflection moment for me. ‘I shouldn’t be this heavy. I need to be more disciplined. I want to wrestle. I want to be a champion,’” he said.
White, who also plays football, changed his diet and worked tirelessly in the wrestling room. With his foot condition, he could not run distances to shed pounds, but his discipline in other areas allowed the weight to steadily disappear. Earlier this month and just before the deadline to participate in the postseason, White snuck in under the 285-pound limit for the first time is his high school career.
He entered the Class 4 District 1 tournament Saturday with a modest 3-7 career record.
“I wasn’t sure I could beat other people,” White said.
He’s sure now.
White won four matches, including a first-period pin in a 285-pound ‘bubble match,’ to punch his ticket to the MSHSAA state tournament and help Lafayette capture the Class 4 District 1 championship Saturday at Northwest High School in Cedar Hill.
“It’s a dream come true,” White said. “A lot of hard work these past few years, and to see it pay out like that is such a great moment for me.”
The top four finishers in each of the 14 weight classes advanced to the Missouri State High School Athletic Association state wrestling tournament, which will take place Feb. 26-Mar 1 at Mizzou Arena. The Class 1 girls and Class 1-2 boys tournaments are scheduled for Feb. 26-27. Class 2 girls and Class 3-4 boys tournaments will occur Feb. 28-March 1.
After winning his first match, White lost to eventual district champion Brysen Wessell of Jackson and moved to the consolation side of the bracket. There, he defeated CBC junior Joe Kopp and Seckman junior Ryan Balsman before facing Northwest junior Evan Stamm in the ‘bubble match’ to determine who would advance to the state tournament.
Stamm had a 34-10 record and had wrestled 30 more matches than White this season.
“I thought, ‘Win or lose, the sun will rise tomorrow. I’m still going to be me, and even if I’m down on myself, my teammates won’t let me be down for long,’” White said.
Midway through the first period, White powered Stamm to the mat and used his outstanding upper body strength to keep him there.
When he heard the referee’s hand hit the mat, White did not hold back his excitement. He stood up and let out a series of flexes and screams, and after having his arm raised, raced into the bleachers to find his mother.
The emotional hug brought a rousing applause from the large crowd of spectators.
“My mom and my dad are my best supporters ever, so it’s only right that I go to the person that has never given up on me, even when I gave up on myself,” White said.
White (7-9) will enter the state tournament with a losing record that is in no way indicative of what he has accomplished this season.
“It’s cool to see him succeed. He’s such a great kid and a good team leader,” Lafayette coach Joe Wier said.
White punctuated a day of growth and perseverance for Lafayette, which won the district title with 232 team points and crowned four district champions.
Sophomore Riley Sumner (38-6) defeated Seckman freshman Carson Owens 4-0 to win the 120-pound title, avenging a previous loss to Owens this season. Junior Calum Brown (33-7) overcame injury and illness to defeat Jackson freshman Mitchel Baker for the 126 title, and sophomore Caleb Frankenberger (37-10) showed off an expansive arsenal of new moves to defeat Jackson junior Kade King by second period pin in the 132 final.
“Our lower-middle weights definitely led the way for us. I love seeing these kids grow into great teammates and great wrestlers,” Wier said.
Sophomore Carter Brown (39-4) became the fourth district champion for Lafayette with a 7-2 overtime victory over CBC senior Triston Abram in the 215-pound final.
CBC finished second with 207 team points. The Cadets will send eight wrestlers to Columbia, including four district champions – Kosta Hatzigeorgiou (106), Waylon Burress (113), Colin Rutlin (144) and Trey Craig (190).
Jackson (174), Seckman (133.5) and Northwest (121.5) rounded out the top five teams.
Other district champions include Parkway South sophomore Camron Duffield (138), Seckman sophomore Chance Ruble (150), Rolla senior Kayden Kinder (157), Northwest sophomores Jeremiah Clines (165) and Cohenn Stark (175) and Jackson junior Brysen Wessell (285).
Photo gallery at: https://benvessa.smugmug.com/Class-3-Boys-Wrestling-Championships/Boys-Wrestling-2024-25/Class-4-District-1-championships