COLUMBIA - As the exclusive group expanded, Sam Hrabovsky took his first fractional step toward becoming a select member.
Hrabovsky polished off a perfect freshman season for the Fulton Hornets by securing a Class 2 state title at 113 pounds with a 6-0 victory over Monett freshman Matthew Bahl late Saturday afternoon at the 88th MSHSAA Wrestling Championships at Mizzou Arena.
Five wrestlers topped off tremendous high school careers by becoming four-time state champions Saturday night, increasing the membership in Missouri's special fraternity to 31. While his objective still sits three years in the future, Hrabovsky is a quarter of the way toward joining that distinct group.
Hrabovsky - finishing the season with a flawless 42-0 record - made a momentous mark on Fulton wrestling history, becoming the first freshman to capture a state title with an undefeated record. He is also the Hornets' first freshman to win a state championship since Drew Benner prevailed at 135 pounds in 2010.
"It just means that I've accomplished something that no one else has done from Fulton, and I'm glad to be the first," Hrabovsky said. "It feels really good and I hope there's more (titles)."
Fulton senior Tucker Caswell, meanwhile, missed out on a state championship by the slimmest of margins as he closed out his high school career Saturday night. Caswell was edged by Mexico junior Dillon Nichols 3-2 in the title match at 138 pounds.
Caswell (45-6) made a gritty run in reaching the state championship after almost being knocked out in the first round last Thursday.
"I know, personally, how just as easily I wouldn't have been in that position if I had lost in the first round Thursday," Caswell said. "A lot of kids never get that opportunity (to wrestle for a state title) - I'm just thankful for the opportunity, I had my shot.
"I came up short, but I'll be OK."
Hrabovsky controlled the pace from the start in his championship match against the taller Bahl (43-6). He tallied two quick points on a takedown with 1 minute, 45 seconds left in the first period, then made it 4-0 on a reversal with 1:28 to go in the second period.
Hrabovsky sealed his state title by adding two points on another takedown in the third period.
"I didn't let him (Bahl) use his length to his advantage, so I got in tie-ups where we were close and I could still get to his legs," Hrabovsky said. "If I'm attacking him, he can't be on my legs."
Fulton head coach Ryan Morts explained that Hrabovsky never allowed Bahl a chance to threaten the outcome.
"Some matches can be 6-0 or 6-1, and it could have been close - that was a 6-0 match and it wasn't close," Morts said. "That kid, we rode really, really solid."
Morts won't be surprised if Hrabovsky is being referred to as a four-time state champion three years from now.
"He can do it, there's no doubt about it, no doubt about it," Morts said. "Everybody in this building knows that name now, or even before they knew that name.
"He's setting himself up, he got the first one down - he's only got three more. You talk about just being a state champion, that's huge. Even if he never wins another title, nobody can ever take that away from him that he was a state champion."
Caswell had previously bowed in a pair of close matchups with Nichols this season, falling in 5-2 and 7-5 decisions, so it was no surprise that Saturday night's title match was a battle to the conclusion. After a scoreless first period, Nichols (45-3) - in the down position - swiftly slipped out for an escape just 4 seconds into the second period.
Nichols went up 3-0 on a takedown with :35 remaining in the period, then gave up an escape to Caswell with :16 to go. Caswell earned another escape with 1:51 left in the third period, pulling within 3-2, but could never find an opening to capitalize on as Nichols held on to collect the state championship.
"I had to pick and choose my shots a lot more than I normally do in that match," Caswell said. "I got to a couple of them, but I couldn't finish. He's pretty strong.
"He did a great job defending all of my stuff, passing me off."
Morts noted how difficult it was for Caswell to get a grasp on Nichols.
"The kid is so stinking strong and fast," Morts said. "He chose down (to start the second period), and why wouldn't you choose down if you're out (snaps fingers) in less than five seconds. He's out and up, and there's nothing we can do.
"Other than maybe - I don't even know. (Tucker) was doing everything that he could possibly do."
Morts admired how Caswell regrouped in earning his way to compete for a state title.
"It's been a great run for him," Morts said. " You talk about next month is March madness (in college basketball) and bracket-busters. I think Tucker was a bracket-buster for the 138-pound weight class.
"I'm happy for him, I know (his father and assistant coach) Clay is ecstatic for him."
Caswell capped off his career with the Hornets as a three-time state medalist. He took fifth place at 106 pounds in 2015 and was fourth at 132 last year.
"I'm happy," Caswell said. "You know, you can always say that you wanted to do more, but that can mean different (things) for different people.
"I know we've had people who've wanted more state championships, but we've also had people who just wanted to medal one time. I've got nothing to complain about."
Fulton - despite bringing just five qualifiers to the state championships - came away with an eighth-place finish in Class 2 with 69 points. Sophomore Jackson Caswell (46-5) also medalled with a third-place finish at 106 pounds, while seniors Jacob Kern (34-11) and Colton Bristol (34-13) both advanced to the quarterfinals at 132 and 182, respectively, before being eliminated in wrestlebacks.
"That goes back to just practice and grinding every day for three months, three-and-a-half months," Morts said. "We've kind of picked up a saying the last few years, 'Are you working harder than some other guy, in some other gym?'
"I like that. That makes a difference between just qualifying or being a Saturday kid and being on that podium."
Ryan Boland can be reached at (573) 824-2422, or on Twitter @FultonSunSports.