The St. Louis area was full of talented high school wrestlers in 2009. Leading the 2009 St. Louis American All-Area Wrestling Team are a pair of talented young men who finished their careers as undefeated state champions. Ryan Mango of Whitfield and Esmond Ford of Affton share the award for Wrestler of the Year in 2009
Here are the members of the 2009 St. Louis American All-Area Wrestling Team.
Maurice Alexander (Eureka): The football standout finished a stellar senior year on the mats with a 50-4 record and a third-place finish in the Class 3 state tournament at 189 pounds.
Wesley Bell (McCluer): A two-time All-State selection, Bell concluded his junior year with a 22-3 record and a runner-up finish in the Class 4 state tournament at 285 pounds.
Esmond Ford (Affton): The St. Louis American Co-Wrestler of the Year, Ford repeated as a state champion and concluded his senior year with a 38-0 record. He was the Class 2 state champion at 130 pounds this season.
Charles Johnson (Hazelwood East): Johnson finished the year with a 45-7 record and a fifth-place finish in the Class 4 state tournament at 125 pounds.
DeMarco Kemp (University City): Kemp enjoyed an excellent season, where he finished with a 43-1 record and advanced all the way the finals of the Class 3 state tournament at 285 pounds.
Ryan Mango (Whitfield): The St. Louis American Co-Wrestler of the Year, Mango concluded a splendid prep career with his third consecutive individual state title. Mango finished his senior year with a 50-0 record and Class 1 state title at 130 pounds. He will head to Stanford University.
Darren Manning (Sumner): Manning earned All-State honors after finishing with a 50-3 record and a fifth-place finish at the Class 3 state tournament at 171 pounds.
Terrell Pugh (O’Fallon): Pugh finished a tremendous senior year by compiling a 49-1 record and finishing second in the IHSA Class 3 state tournament in Champaign.
Derron Richardson (Ritenour): Richardson earned All-State honors after finishing sixth in the Class 4 state tournament at 215 pounds. He finished the year with a 28-10 record.
Julian Smith (Hazelwood Central): Smith advanced to the championship match of the Class 4 state tournament at 215 pounds. The state runner-up finished the season with a 47-3 record.
Darnell Thomas (Cahokia): Thomas was an IHSA state qualifier for the Comanches after compiling a record of 35-10 this season.
Antoine White (Hazelwood West): The sophomore earned All-State honors after finishing sixth in the Class 4 state tournament at 103 pounds. He finished the season with a 34-9 record.
Brandon Wilbourn (Francis Howell Central): Wilbourn earned All-State honors after finishing sixth in the Class 4 state tournament at 145 pounds. He was leading in the state semifinals before suffering a knee injury. He finished the season with a 47-2 record.
Terrel Wilbourn (Francis Howell Central): The talented sophomore won the Class 4 state championship at 112 pounds. He finished his championship season with a 47-2 record.
Willie Williams (McCluer South-Berkeley): Williams finished his senior year with a 43-4 record and a second-place finish in the Class 2 state tournament at 160 pounds.
