Wildcats

The Cassville boys wrestling team took second place out of 21 total teams competing in the 62nd People’s Bank of Seneca tournament on Saturday. Leading the way for the Wildcats was 165-pound Colton Roark, who took first place in his bracket by pinning all three of his opponents in the first round, including a pin in 19 seconds over one grappler.

The Cassville boys wrestling team turned in a 12-medal performance at the Big 8 Tournament on Friday, with four Wildcats standing atop the podium in first place. As a team, Cassville finished in second place behind Seneca, with 250 points to the Indians’ 292.5.

Tktroutman@cassville-democrat.com he Cassville boys wrestling team is getting into the nitty-gritty of the season, coming off a sixthplace finish as the smallest school in the Branson Invitational and preparing for the Big 8 Conference meet this week and districts and state in February. Nathan Fortner, Cassville boys wrestling coach, said this season has been about progression, and the Wildcats have had no shortage of such.

Publisher’s Note: The Cassville boys and girls wrestling teams each competed in separate tournaments over the weekend. The Wildcats wrestled in the Harrisonville Christmas Tournament, and the Lady Wildcats in the 2024 Lady Mustangs Christmas Clash. Due to the Cassville Democrat's holiday print deadline, results were not available at presstime. Coverage of both events will be in the Jan. 1 issue.

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.