BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com
The Cassville boys wrestling team has set a goal to take more of its members to the state tournament than ever before.
Nathan Fortner, Cassville wrestling coach, said the Wildcats’ process preseason involves setting three team goals and three individual goals for each wrestler.
“Our staff is working hard this year to help all of our athletes reach their goals,” Fortner said. “Team goals consist of winning 75% of our duals, placing top two at conference, and placing at districts and taking over half of our team to state, which hasn’t been done before (at least 7 weight classes).”
The prospect of reaching the latter goal is exciting, Fortner said, as seven returners are joined by a host of freshmen and newcomers, bolstering the team’s numbers and possibilities.
“Riley James, Tristan Thompson and Colton Roark, all juniors and previous state placers, have their goal set on winning state championships,” Fortner said. “Seniors Bradley Stumpff and Jaret Hinson both have taken on leadership roles and have been a part of the program all four years. They both have the same goal of qualifying for state and both were on the bubble match at districts last year.
“Junior Ethan Sizemore and sophomore Jesse James return with the same goal as the seniors in qualifying for the state tournament.”
Adding to the accolade-riddled list is incoming freshman Zachary Myers, a state runner-up in the youth division who will be training with the state medalist juniors daily.
“A bunch of freshmen and sophomores will also be competing for varsity spots and have wrestling experience in their freshman campaign and at the middle school level,” Fortner said. “They include: Boni Lopez, Michael Bauman, Mike Yang, Trever Garnett, Kobe Fare, Isaac Cornett, Rylen Holman, Kole Fry, Michael Winchell, Logan Parsons, Easton Stone, Bradyn Sizemore, Norton Dobbins, Mason Rillstone, Josh Crawford, Cannon Rose, Van Thang, Carson Hutchins, Brylar Barenk, Easton Hughes, Zachary Myers and Bruce Hilburn.
“We also have a handful of new wrestlers that will make an impact on our team, including: Nikolas Beliakoff, Benjamin Elliot, Kadyn Garnett, Marvin Polanco, Liam Mahan, Devin Johns and Chance Lands.”
While the juniors boast the highest level of experience, Fortner said it’s the four-year varsity seniors who the squad will look to for leadership.
“Bradley and Jaret are the lone seniors for our team this year, and I expect both of them to reach their individual goals and motivate the team to reach their goals this upcoming season,” Fortner said.
The Wildcats have eight tournaments on the schedule this season, which Fortner said is a challenging set. Action kicks off at home on Dec. 7 at the Cassville Boys Tournament, in its second year.
“Our schedule hasn’t changed much this upcoming season,” Fortner said. “I believe we wrestle one of the toughest schedules, which has always prepared us for the postseason. I expect the same this upcoming season.”
A strength that will help the Wildcats in that regard is their chemistry, an important factor in what’s considered a largely individual sport.
“I think our team is a close group that has grown up wrestling with each other since middle school,” Fortner said. “Our wrestling team is quite literally like a family, as just like last year, we have several sets of siblings throughout our program. They all work hard and are determined to achieve their goals this season.”
Fortner said the Wildcats have more home events this season than ever before, and he hopes the community adds its support.
“It would be awesome to have fans fill the stands and watch a team that is going to put on a show every time they step on the mat,” Fortner said.
A specific dual on the schedule also always provides fireworks, the annual match-up with Cassville’s Barry County neighbors to the north.
“Monett is a rivalry meet,” Fortner said. “They used to hammer us in the beginning of my tenure, and we have got the best of them the last few years.”
