COLUMBIA, MO – St. Clair seniors Ryan Meek, Brock Woodcock, and Cameron Simcox tried to make a pact of solidarity prior to their final Class 2 wrestling state tournament.
They sent messages through their group chat and settled on bleaching their hair.
Meek objected.
“I was the only one who didn’t want to do it, but by the end of the night, I was the only one with bleached hair and they just had frosted tips,” Meek said.
Meek (43-1) and his flowing blonde locks outscored his opponents 51-0 during the Class 2 boys state wrestling tournament, culminating in a technical fall over Odessa sophomore Gabe Studdard to win the 120-pound state championship and a second consecutive state title.
Woodcock added some detail to the hair-raising experience.
“We convinced Ryan that frosted tips wouldn’t look good in his hair,” Woodcock said. “I like his hair, but I don’t think he’s a very big fan.”
Woodcock (55-0) and his frosted tips finished an undefeated season with a 12-2 major decision over Pleasant Hill junior Lane Snyder to win the 157-pound state title, his third consecutive state championship.
The two combined to go 380-13 during their high school careers and win five state championships .
“St. Clair probably has the toughest Class 2 schedule of anyone in the state, so by the time we get to state, we’re ready,” Meek said.
Meek (47-1) had a 75-match winning streak snapped in the championship match of the Red Schmitt Invitational in Granite City in late December. He responded with even more resolve.
“Taking that loss did motivate me to keep chasing to be a better version of myself,” said Meek, who will continue his wrestling career at Ohio University.
Meek won his opening match by 6-0 decision, then lit up the scoreboard in two technical falls and 13-0 major decision.
“He’s just so much fun to be around,” St. Clair coach Mel Hughes said. “He’s always ready, and so competitive. I don’t care what it is, whether it’s Tiddlywinks, he’s going to want to win it.”
Woodcock’s path was not without bumps. In his 157-pound championship match, Snyder earned the first takedown and led 2-1 after one period.
“That first period definitely was nerve-wracking. He had me on my heels,” Woodcock said.
The second period was a different story as Woodcock outscored Snyder 9-0 by earning takedowns, back points and asserting his will.
“A lot of credit to (Snyder). He came out with a plan and executed it well, but it’s going to take more than one takedown to take care of Woodcock. He just has too many tools in his toolbox,” Hughes said.
Woodcock, an Southern Illinois-Edwardsville commit, earned two first period pins, a technical fall and a 12-2 major decision.
“I’ve been blessed these four years. It’s been a great time,” Woodcock said.
Simcox placed fifth at 175-pounds to make each of the three childhood friends, four-time state-medalists. It also placed an exclamation point at the end of the 40th and final season for Hughes as coach.
“I knew four years ago that they would be my last class,” Hughes said. “I’ve had a lump in my throat a lot this weekend. I’ll miss them to death.”
