‘There’s no better feeling’: Palmyra’s Arch captures third consecutive state championship

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The reaction was muted. That’s how Collin Arch wants it.

He’s workmanlike in his approach to wrestling, a hard hat and lunch pail kind of guy.

So when he capped third consecutive undefeated high school season with his third straight state championship Saturday night at Mizzou Arena, the Palmyra junior grappler was the furthest thing from demonstrative.

“I kind of keep my emotions to myself,” Arch said. “I’m obviously really excited for a third state title.”

He captured it in Arch-like fashion, dominating from start to finish.

Arch scored six points in the first period and never allowed Trenton’s Hunter McAtee to mount any kind of attack, winning the Class 1 138-pound championship with a 9-2 victory.

Arch won the 120-pound title as a freshman and the 132-pound crown as a sophomore and now has a 108-0 record in high school competition. He will have the chance next season to become just the third wrestler in Missouri history to finish their high school career undefeated, according to the Missouri State High School Activities Association record book.

“It was great hearing all your fans in the background,” Arch said. “Shaking his hand and getting your hand raised, there’s no better feeling.”

By the end of the first period, Arch was in complete control.

He took down McAtee 21 seconds into the match, let him up and took him down again. Arch put McAtee on his back and earned a two-point nearfall for a 6-1 lead after the first period.

“After my first takedown, I knew I could take him down and keep him from taking me down,” Arch said. “You never know what can happen, so I didn’t know I had won it until it was over.”

Arch began the second period in the down position, immediately escaped and recorded a takedown to go ahead 9-1. McAtee started the third period in the down position and needed 50 seconds before securing an escape.

Arch kept McAtee at bay with his quickness and ability to counter every move.

“It feels great,” Arch said. “All the work we’ve put in since last year at this time pays off. It’s great to be back at Mizzou Arena with a good atmosphere and everything.”

Arch finished his season with a 40-0 record and showed no signs of being on edge prior to the championship. 

“Honestly, I felt I kept pretty calm through that,” Arch said. “Obviously, you’re always going to have a little bit of nervousness going into that match.”

Palmyra senior Luke Triplett joined Arch on the medal podium, finishing third at 220 pounds.

Triplett scored a 10-2 major decision of Penney’s Fisher Nixdorf in the consolation semifinals and beat Adrian’s Jence Griffith 2-1 in the third-place match. Triplett pinned Griffith in 3:53 in their quarterfinal match.

In the third-place match, Griffith led 1-0 after a second-period escape. Starting the third period on the bottom, Triplett recorded a reversal and rode Griffith the final 1:42 for the victory. Triplett finished his season with a 39-8 record.