‘Cats set program record with 8 qualified to state

BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

The Cassville boys wrestling team made program history on Saturday, qualifying a record eight wrestlers for the Class 2 MSHSAA Wrestling Championships and winning a record three individual Class 2, District 3 titles.

Nathan Fortner, Cassville boys wrestling coach, said he was bursting with pride in his team in Seneca Friday and Saturday, as the Wildcats took a full card of 14 wrestlers to the tournament and had only one go out after two losses.

“I was very proud of the team, from top to bottom,” he said. “The focus, the effort, the intensity, it was there the whole tournament, and I’m proud of them all.”

Cassville’s three district champions — Tristian Thompson, Colton Roark and Riley James — are all returning to state for the third consecutive year, and each brought home medals in 2024.

This season, the “murderer’s row” at 157, 165 and 175 pounds, respectively, are a combined 109-14, and Fortner believes all three have great potential to realize their goals and stand atop the podium at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.

“Tristan, Colt and Riley completely dominated the [district] tournament,” Fortner said. “And, they all faced state-ranked kids. Tristan beat a kid ranked higher than him, and Colt beat the No. 3 and Riley the No. 2. They all got pins in their championship matches, and they were beating up on those kids before they pinned them.”

Two Wildcats reached championship matches but fell to ranked Seneca opponents. Jaret Hinson, at 138 pounds, earned a quarterfinal pin and decision in the semifinal before falling to Seneca’s Brent Laughlin, who is 48-0 this season, in the championship. Zach Myers, at 190 pounds, earned a pin in the quarterfinals and again in the semifinals over the state’s No. 2-ranked wrestler before getting pinned by the state’s No. 1 at his weight, Seneca’s Jace Renfro.

“Jaret is one of our two seniors on the team and broke his barrier with a really tough match in the semis to get to the final,” Fortner said. “Zach is just a freshman, and he has a lot of potential at state.”

Cassville’s other senior, 120-pounder Bradley Stumpff, went out in the bubble round in 2024 — but not this year. After getting two wins to reach the semifinals, he fell to Seneca’s Paxton Bruegel. Undaunted, he earned pins in the consolation and third-place matches to take bronze.

“It will be Brad’s first time at state, and after losing the bubble match last year, his goal all season has been to qualify for state,” Fortner said.

Also third was 215-pounder Jesse James, who Fortner said provided the greatest theatrics of the tournament.

“Jesse pinned the district No. 1 seed in the bubble round to qualify, and he was down 7-0 when he got the pin,” Fortner said. “And, the kid he lost to on the front end of the bracket was who he faced in the third-place match, and he destroyed him the second time.”

James was caught by an early pin in his opening round match against St. James’ Joshua Carpenter, just 21 seconds, but he earned a pin for third place in 3:22 against the same opponent.

Rounding out the qualifiers was 285-pounder Ethan Sizemore, another bubble match victim in 2024 who reversed his fortunes this year.

“Ethan was one match away last year, and like Brad, he set the goal to get to state and made it,” Fortner said.

Sizemore fell in the semifinals in a 7-3 decision to Monett’s Hrodgar Wetzel, then bounced back with a 4-3 decision over Blair Oaks’ Carson Rustemeyer to qualify.

While some Wildcats triumphed in bubble matches, a few others left with heavy hearts. The toughest loss, Fortner said, was handed to Kole Fry at 132 pounds.

“Kole lost with just 1 or 2 seconds left in the match,” he said. “He was up 1-0, but at the last second while trying to hold on, he got reversed and lost by a point. He gave his all and has nothing to hang his head about.”

Also falling in the bubble round was 106-pounder Boni Lopez, dropping a 9-0 major decision to St. James’ Dax Weinbaum after battling his way through two consolation matches, a 14-8 decision and 14-6 major decision, for a shot at state qualification.

Rylen Homan, at 126 pounds, also fought back from a first-round loss, winning a consolation match but getting pinned one match away from the bubble round.

Braydyn Sizemore, at 144 pounds, won his opener but lost in the quarterfinals. He won a consolation round match before falling by pin in the consolation quarterfinals, also one match away from the bubble round.

Mason Rillstone, at 150 pounds, had a tough bracket according to Fortner. He won a tie-breaker in his opener, upsetting the district No. 5 seed, but lost a quarterfinal major decision. He then won a consolation quarterfinal before being pinned in the consolation semis. Mike Yang, at 113 pounds, was the only Wildcats to go two-andout this year.

“Boni wrestled really well, and Mike had one of the toughest brackets in the district,” Fortner said. “The 106, 113, 126, 144 and 150 were all really tough this year. The guys who didn’t make it wrestled good all year, and we’re excited to bring them all back next season.”

For the eight whose seasons have one more tournament ahead, Fortner said the confidence level is high after taking second place as a team behind Seneca, scoring 190.5 points to the Indians’ 217.5. A total of 16 teams compete in Class 2, District 3.

“We have a lot of confidence right now, and that’s really good,” Fortner said. “We will just keep doing everything like we’ve been doing. We’ve been pretty consistent the past month or two, so we’re not changing anything — just lining them up and letting them loose.”

Fortner said with so many Wildcats headed to the big show, reliance on one another in a larger atmosphere will be another key.

“Tristan, Colton and Riley have their eyes set on being No. 1, and I think they can do it,” Fortner said. “They have all placed at state, so even though they are younger, we will rely on their experience to help the seniors and the other new guys to keep their nerves down.”

Fortner said the change in atmosphere can be a challenge, as at districts, the Wildcats followed their teammates around each mat acting as a vibrant cheering section.

“I don’t know how many times the Seneca announcer came over the mic and asked us to back off the mat,” Fortner said. “We can’t replicate that at state, but we have the coaching staff to have a coach with each guy in the tunnel, and we’ll be ready.”

Fortner said in the eight-mat arena, the team talking amongst themselves pre- and post-match will be imperative.

“The guys will be able to talk to their buddies, and sometimes those talks are better coming from peers than coaches,” Fortner said.

With eight qualified, Fortner said the Wildcats also have the potential to make even greater history by winning the program’s first-ever team medal.

“We’ve got to win some matches and go deep in the brackets,” he said. “But, we’ve definitely got the firepower to be in the top three or four [as a team], and that would be a first for the boys. Seneca is ranked No. 2 as a team in the state, and we were close to beating them at districts.”

Action at the Class 2 MSHSAA Wrestling Championships begins today (Wednesday). Boys Class 2 action kicks off at 5:45 p.m. The full schedule is available at https://www.mshsaa.org/content/Wrestling/InformationCentral.aspx.

Full results from the Class 2, District 3 Tournament include:

106: BONI LOPEZ (33-17) PLACE IS UNKNOWN AND SCORED 3.0 TEAM POINTS.

• Quarterfinal – Talyn Balsley (California) 31-14 won by fall over Boni Lopez (Cassville) 33-17 (Fall 4:56)

• Cons. Round 2 – Boni Lopez (Cassville) 33-17 won by decision over Jaxson Garcia (Seneca) 13-19 (Dec 14-8)

• Cons. Round 3 – Boni Lopez (Cassville) 33-17 won by major decision over Ace Killian (Osage) 27-14 (MD 14-6)

• Cons. Semi – Dax Weinbaum (St. James) 34-8 won by major decision over Boni Lopez (Cassville) 33-17 (MD 9-0)

113: MIKE YANG (18-27) PLACE IS UNKNOWN AND SCORED 0.0 TEAM POINTS.

• Champ. Round 1 – Cody Mcclure (Osage) 18-12 won by fall over Mike Yang (Cassville) 18-27 (Fall 0:37)

• Cons. Round 2 – Evan Dubina (Clinton) 27-16 won by major decision over Mike Yang (Cassville) 18-27 (MD 12-0)

120: BRADLEY STUMPFF (42-16) PLACED 3RD AND SCORED 19.5 TEAM POINTS.

• Champ. Round 1 – Bradley Stumpff (Cassville) 42-16 won by tech fall over Wyatt Webster (St. James) 19-23 (TF-1.5 1:51 (17-1))

• Quarterfinal – Bradley Stumpff (Cassville) 42-16 won by fall over Micah Duncan (Owensville) 11-7 (Fall 3:08)

• Semifinal – Paxton Bruegel (Seneca) 32-11 won by fall over Bradley Stumpff (Cassville) 42-16 (Fall 4:34)

• Cons. Semi – Bradley Stumpff (Cassville) 42-16 won by fall over Kayden Shepherd (Nevada) 30-14 (Fall 1:55)

• 3rd Place Match – Bradley Stumpff (Cassville) 42-16 won by fall over Traye Balsley (California) 29-15 (Fall 1:39)

126: RYLEN HOLMAN (32-19) PLACE IS UNKNOWN AND SCORED 3.0 TEAM POINTS.

• Quarterfinal – Brock Arrowood (Osage) 34-5 won by tech fall over Rylen Holman (Cassville) 32-19 (TF1.5 3:33 (15-0))

• Cons. Round 2 – Rylen Holman (Cassville) 32-19 won by fall over Jax Luebbering (Blair Oaks) 3-18 (Fall 0:25)

• Cons. Round 3 – Jaxon Stout (Monett) 19-21 won by fall over Rylen Holman (Cassville) 32-19 (Fall 1:58)

132: KOLE FRY (32-22) PLACE IS UNKNOWN AND SCORED 7.5 TEAM POINTS.

• Champ. Round 1 – Kole Fry (Cassville) 32-22 won by tech fall over Sam Klumpp (Nevada) 12-17 (TF-1.5 4:00 (16-0))

• Quarterfinal – Kole Fry (Cassville) 32-22 won by fall over Josiah Gozho-majoni (Eldon) 20-5 (Fall 3:35)

• Semifinal – Eli Manley (Seneca) 42-5 won by fall over Kole Fry (Cassville) 32-22 (Fall 1:14)

• Cons. Semi – Kade Adams (Monett) 27-21 won by decision over Kole Fry (Cassville) 32-22 (Dec 2-1)

138: JARET HINSON (24-9) PLACED 2ND AND SCORED 18.0 TEAM POINTS.

• Quarterfinal – Jaret Hinson (Cassville) 24-9 won by fall over Dylan Gonzalez (Buffalo) 19-18 (Fall 3:44)

• Semifinal – Jaret Hinson (Cassville) 24-9 won by decision over Nolan Schepers (Osage) 28-7 (Dec 7-3)

• 1st Place Match – Brant Laughlin (Seneca) 48-0 won by fall over Jaret Hinson (Cassville) 24-9 (Fall 2:21)

144: BRAYDYN SIZEMORE (19-16) PLACE IS UNKNOWN AND SCORED 7.0 TEAM POINTS.

• Champ. Round 1 – Braydyn Sizemore (Cassville) 19-16 won by fall over Ethan Shutt (Southern Boone) 17-24 (Fall 5:39)

• Quarterfinal – Nolan Laughlin (Blair Oaks) 17-3 won by tech fall over Braydyn Sizemore (Cassville) 19-16 (TF-1.5 2:30 (17-0))

• Cons. Round 2 – Braydyn Sizemore (Cassville) 19-16 won by fall over Kaydon Dunnington (Clinton) 12-22 (Fall 3:27)

• Cons. Round 3 – Cody Parnell (Aurora) 21-9 won by fall over Braydyn Sizemore (Cassville) 19-16 (Fall 2:10)

150: MASON RILLSTONE (21-23) PLACE IS UNKNOWN AND SCORED 5.0 TEAM POINTS.

• Champ. Round 1 – Mason Rillstone (Cassville) 21-23 won in tie breaker – 1 over Blaine Noakes (St. James) 24-13 (TB-1 13-7)

• Quarterfinal – Matt Skinner (Buffalo) 33-15 won by major decision over Mason Rillstone (Cassville) 21-23 (MD 10-2)

• Cons. Round 2 – Mason Rillstone (Cassville) 21-23 won by fall over Brock Crauthers (Reeds Spring) 5-17 (Fall 1:24)

• Cons. Round 3 – Brayden Morgan (Nevada) 17-21 won by fall over Mason Rillstone (Cassville) 21-23 (Fall 4:14)

157: TRISTAN THOMPSON (29-6) PLACED 1ST AND SCORED 27.5 TEAM POINTS.

• Champ. Round 1 – Tristan Thompson (Cassville) 29-6 won by fall over Logan Crocker (St. James) 14-13 (Fall 3:01)

• Quarterfinal – Tristan Thompson (Cassville) 29-6 won by fall over Kolby Less (California) 20-22 (Fall 1:22)

• Semifinal – Tristan Thompson (Cassville) 29-6 won by tech fall over Owen Britton (Southern Boone) 28-18 (TF-1.5 5:15 (18-2))

• 1st Place Match – Tristan Thompson (Cassville) 29-6 won by fall over Jackson Finke (Blair Oaks) 22-7 (Fall 2:37)

165: COLTON ROARK (45-4) PLACED 1ST AND SCORED 27.5 TEAM POINTS.

• Champ. Round 1 – Colton Roark (Cassville) 45-4 won by fall over Gavin King (St. James) 5-21 (Fall 0:35)

• Quarterfinal – Colton Roark (Cassville) 45-4 won by fall over Sam Rueter (Southern Boone) 17-7 (Fall 1:12)

• Semifinal – Colton Roark (Cassville) 45-4 won by tech fall over Henry Reed (Monett) 37-11 (TF-1.5 3:53 (17-1))

• 1st Place Match – Colton Roark (Cassville) 45-4 won by fall over Amos Mundy (Osage) 37-3 (Fall 1:23)

175: RILEY JAMES (35-4) PLACED 1ST AND SCORED 25.5 TEAM POINTS.

• Champ. Round 1 – Riley James (Cassville) 35-4 won by tech fall over Logan Cole (Monett) 22-23 (TF-1.5 5:39 (20-4))

• Quarterfinal – Riley James (Cassville) 35-4 won by fall over Derek Huhn (Blair Oaks) 8-14 (Fall 1:59)

• Semifinal – Riley James (Cassville) 35-4 won by decision over Will Golder (Clinton) 38-5 (Dec 9-5)

• 1st Place Match – Riley James (Cassville) 35-4 won by fall over Sawyer Cornell (Seneca) 21-11 (Fall 1:14)

190: ZACHARY MYERS (40-9) PLACED 2ND AND SCORED 20.0 TEAM POINTS.

• Quarterfinal – Zachary Myers (Cassville) 40-9 won by fall over Mason Shumate (Clinton) 20-17 (Fall 1:30)

• Semifinal – Zachary Myers (Cassville) 40-9 won by fall over Zane Achterberg (St. James) 45-4 (Fall 4:49)

• 1st Place Match – Jace Renfro (Seneca) 44-2 won by fall over Zachary Myers (Cassville) 40-9 (Fall 2:33)

215: JESSE JAMES (19-11) PLACED 3RD AND SCORED 16.0 TEAM POINTS.

• Quarterfinal – Joshua Carpenter (St. James) 36-7 won by fall over Jesse James (Cassville) 19-11 (Fall 0:21)

• Cons. Round 3 – Jesse James (Cassville) 19-11 won by fall over Eli Carter (Clinton) 17-22 (Fall 1:32)

• Cons. Semi – Jesse James (Cassville) 19-11 won by fall over Jacob Shinkarevich (Logan-Rogersville) 21-6 (Fall 1:33)

• 3rd Place Match – Jesse James (Cassville) 19-11 won by fall over Joshua Carpenter (St. James) 36-7 (Fall 3:22)

285: ETHAN SIZEMORE (24-14) PLACED 4TH AND SCORED 11.0 TEAM POINTS.

• Quarterfinal – Ethan Sizemore (Cassville) 24-14 won by fall over Isaac Campbell (Nevada) 20-26 (Fall 5:11)

• Semifinal – Hrodgar Wetzel (Monett) 27-9 won by decision over Ethan Sizemore (Cassville) 24-14 (Dec 7-3)

• Cons. Semi – Ethan Sizemore (Cassville) 24-14 won by decision over Carson Rustemeyer (Blair Oaks) 15-16 (Dec 4-3)

• 3rd Place Match – Aidan Yung (Southern Boone) 30-18 won by decision over Ethan Sizemore (Cassville) 24-14 (Dec 2-1)