BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com
All Missouri wrestling roads end at Mizzou Arena, and the Cassville girls wrestling team is eyeing a Big 8 title and multiple qualifiers to the Girls State Wrestling Championships Feb. 26-27.
Casey Parsons, in her first year as Cassville girls wrestling coach, said this season has provided some highlights so far, especially in recent tournaments.
“A couple weeks ago, we got third as a team min the 12-team Diamond State Invitational,” Parsons said. “That was some really tough competition from Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas.”
Seneca was the only other Missouri team at the event, and medalists (top 3) for Cassville included: second, Analeigh Winchell at 170 pounds, Heather Hall at 190 pounds and Delight Otto at 235 pounds; and third, Allison Deaver at 106 pounds, Saige Holman at 140 pounds, Anna Vanderhoef at 145 pounds and Rebekah Fry at 155 pounds.
“We have five girls with winning records and good shots to go to state, and Analeigh Winchell has really stepped up and medaled at every tournament for us at 170,” Parsons said. “Heather Hall, at 190 pounds, is 10-1 and has a good shot to go to state as a junior.”
A tri against Hollister and Reeds Spring in Hollister awaits Cassville on Tuesday, with the Big 8 Girls Conference Championship in Monett the day after on Jan. 22.
“We hope to have several individual champions,” Parsons said. “Nevada will be our toughest competition as far as a full lineup, and we want to take a shot at that conference championship.”
As a result of the Big 8 restructure taking effect this school year, the Big 8 has six schools with wrestling programs: Cassville, Monett, Nevada, McDonald County, Seneca and Aurora. East Newton, Mt. Vernon and Lamar do not offer wrestling.
“We’ve had a full lineup of weights all season except for our last tournament due to injury,” Parsons said. “We have the lineup, but we are young. With more competition, we’re gaining more confidence, and we hop that will help us punch some tickets in the postseason.”
A total of 35 schools — from West Plains in the southeast to Pleasant Hill in the northwest — make up Class 1, District 3, with big 8 foe Nevada hosting the district meet Feb. 14-15. The top four in each weight class will qualify for state.
Cassville was scheduled to compete in the Monett Tournament on Friday, but the event was canceled due to inclement weather.
