Jerrett Villinger qualified for his third straight Class 3 state wrestling tournament with ease Saturday in Hannibal, but the Warrenton junior didn’t settle for a top-four finish.

He pinned Ladue’s Aiden Morley and outlasted Chase Mercer of Fort Zumwalt South, 8-6, to capture the 160-pound district title and a No. 1 seed in the state tournament.

“It’s always fun going back there, and you just want to keep that streak going,” Villinger said. “I definitely think being in the finals of every tournament we’ve had this year has given me the mindset to keep my goals high and not settle for anything less.”

Villinger (70-7 this season with 48 pins) is the first Warrenton wrestler to qualify for the state tournament his first three seasons, and he will be a favorite to return next season as well.

“There’s been quite a few kids that have  gone three times, but nobody has gone their first three years,” Warrenton Head Coach Kevin Fowler said. “And he’s certainly in line to be a four-time qualifier. Last year his goal was to get down there and medal, so definitely this year his sights have changed. He’s locked in to not just get there, but to wrestle for the state championship.”

Villinger’s win over Mercer has Fowler confident heading into the state tournament, which begins Thursday at 5 p.m. inside Mizzou Arena.

“That Mercer kid is going to do damage at state, and Jerrett looked good against him too,” Fowler said. “That was a good win, and it’s always good to win a district because you get a No. 1 seed and will see a No. 4 seed in the first round. It sets you up well, so now he just needs to take care of business and get to the semis. But the opportunity is there.”

Villinger will be joined in Columbia by sophomore teammate Bryce Edison (106).

Edison pinned Archie Rivera in the quarterfinals in 28 seconds before beating St. Charles’ Payton Irvin by technical fall, 19-4.

He was pinned by Jake Mann of Ladue in the championship match.

“He didn’t have a ton of varsity experience for us, and his first actual taste was this year,” Fowler said. “It was great to see him win a match to get to the state tournament, because you never know what’s going through a kid’s head at that point. But he went out and did well.”

Edison will get his first taste of the state tournament early Thursday evening when the 106-pound class tips off the night of matches.

“He’s got a good neutralizer in that he’s really good on top,” Fowler added. “He might not be the best on his feet right now, and that comes with more mat time. But he is a hammer on top, and hopefully he can get a couple chances on top because he can beat anybody if he gets on top. It will be a good experience for him, but he can definitely win some matches down there.”Weigh-in ScheduleThursday 3 p.m. Class 3 and 4Friday 12 Noon Class 3 and 4Saturday 8:30 a.m. All ClassesSession 2 – Thursday, Feb. 15 – Session 2 (8 mats – 336 matches)4 p.m. Gates Open5 p.m. Class 3 First-Round5 p.m. Class 3 First-Round WrestlebacksSession 3 – Friday, Feb. 16 – Session 3 (8 mats – 616 matches)1:30 p.m. Class 3 Quarterfinals1:30 p.m. Class 3 Second-Round Wrestlebacks6 p.m. Class 3 Semifinals and Third-Round WrestlebacksSaturday, Feb. 17 – Session 4 (8 mats – 280 matches)10 a.m. Class 3 Fourth-Round Wrestlebacks12 Noon Class 3 Third-Place and Fifth-Place MatchesSaturday, Feb. 17 – Session 5 (4mats – 56 matches)4:30 p.m. Class 3 Championship Bouts

 .DISTRICT CHAMP — Jerrett Villinger takes down an opponent during the St. Charles Invite last month. Villinger won the Class 3, District 2 Tournament in Hannibal Saturday and will be joined by teammate Bryce Edison at this week's Class 3 Tournament in Columbia. Derrick Forsythe photo.