Spicknall, Pillars show ability to motivate each other, win individual crowns at Quincy Invitational

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | January 19, 2025
Palmyra junior Tyler Spicknall celebrates after winning the 138-pound championship of the Quincy Invitational on Saturday with a 14-11 victory over Quincy's Cooper Kamm. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Even though Tyler Spicknall and Brayden Pillars both wrestle for Palmyra and are four weight classes apart, they have developed a friendly rivalry. That was no different on championship Saturday in the Quincy Invitational as Spicknall worked his way through the 138-pound class and Pillars likewise at 165 pounds. “We were both talking…

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Pillars of strength: Relentless work ethic, bulldogged attitude help Palmyra wrestler recovery quickly from injury

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | January 18, 2025
Palmyra senior wrestler Brayden Pillars gets his hand raised after beating Macomb's Leighton Lambert on Friday night during the Quincy Invitational at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — Brayden Pillars wanted to come back sooner. It’s just how he’s wired. Palmyra wrestling coach Dalton Huffman has seen enough of Pillars’ doggedness to attest. “He loves this sport more than what I think is probably healthy for him, to be honest with you,” Huffman said. Pillars, a senior wrestling at 165…

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Palmyra’s Pillars battles back to take fifth place at state wrestling tournament

By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor | February 23, 2024
Palmyra junior Brayden Pillars, left, finished fifth at 165 pounds in the Class 1 state tournament at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. | Photo courtesy Will Johnson

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The loss that sent Palmyra junior wrestler Brayden Pillars to the blood round and jeopardized a spot on the podium wasn’t easy to shake. “It was a little stressful at first,” said Pillars, who suffered a quarterfinal loss to Maysville senior Brendan Barton in the 165-pound weight class in the Class 1…

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Panthers’ Pillars rallies in third period to position himself to chase spot on podium

By Muddy River Sports | February 22, 2024
Palmyra's Brayden Pillars, left, looks to gain control of Cole Camp's Grant Rodriguez during their match in the Class 1 state tournament Wednesday at Mizzou Arena. | Photo courtesy Will Johnson

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Palmyra junior Brayden Pillars is one victory away from the podium. Pillars went 2-1 on Wednesday’s opening day of the Missouri Class 1 boys state wrestling tournament at Mizzou Arena and will need to win a blood round match Thursday morning to guarantee himself a top-six finish. Pillars (37-10) will face Tipton’s…

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