Rockwood Summit's First-Ever State Wrestling Champ Started Grappling at Age 7

Ian McIntosh, of Fenton, became the first Rockwood Summit High School   wrestler to win a state championship when he won his final match at the Missouri State High School Activities Association state wrestling tournament Feb. 16.

For McIntosh, the Class 3 state title win win comes after years of action on the mats. He started wrestling at age 7 at the Damascus Wrestling Club in Damascus, MD. He finished his Rockwood Summit wrestling career, where he was on the varsity squad all four years, with 137 wins and 24 losses. He competed in the 160-pound weight class, defeating Tyler Warren, of Windsor High School in Imperial in a 9-3 decision in the state championship match.

After his family moved to Missouri in 2005, Ian joined the Rockwood Lindbergh Wrestling Club and excelled at all levels. In 2007 through 2009 (fifth through eighth grade) he captured the sport's "triple crown" by winning the regional, state and national level tournaments.

Ian also is a multi-sport athlete, competing in football (running back and linebacker) on teams in Maryland and Kirkwood before becoming a member of the Rockwood Falcons in seventh grade. He also runs track in the spring.

College-bound, Ian has had several offers but is undecided on what school he will attend.

Much of Ian's Rockwood Summit wrestling career was done on teams with his brothers, including older brother Boone and younger brother Caleb.

Caleb expects to return to the Summit wrestling program next year, which should be good news for the school's coaches who helped Ian hone his wrestling skills. The coaches include Brent Batcheller (head coach) and Derryan Derrough (assistant coach). Ian also had the benefit of coaching by Dave Streibig and Chris Colona, of the Rockwood Lindbergh Wrestling Club.