By Kary Booher
Given none of his wrestlers placed at the state tournament last year – and that the program opened a new room last season, too – Nixa High School wrestling coach Dustin Martin didn’t change his offseason strategy.
That strategy being to let the wrestlers show their dedication in the offseason in freesytle and Greco-Roman competition and weight lifting.
And it seemed to work, boosting Martin’s optimism as the curtain rises on the season. He is expecting a full lineup that features seven returning starters and a number of letterwinners, including state qualifiers Mason Simmons and Donovan Benetti.
“Our older kids showed pretty good commitment,” said Martin, now in his ninth season overseeing the program. “In summer, we don’t push them real hard because they are football players (already working out) and they work jobs. But we had open mats.
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“I want them to come into the season wanting to be in the room and not worn out.”
There is reason to be in the room now, too. This is the second year of the new facility, which covers 7,500 square feet, including 5,000 square feet of mats, along with stationary bikes, treadmills, TVs for film study and bleachers for team meetings.
Now the question is whether the new digs translate into a return to across-the-board success, as Nixa showed in recent years. Martin figures last year was a learning experience for the team, which faded in the district tournament after a strong regular season.
That said, the Eagles should have leadership, starting with Benetti, now listed up one weight class to 195 pounds. He won 45 matches last year and, a few years ago, was a sponge around Christian Lance, a state qualifier.
“He’s a big strong kid and may make a cut to make 182. Which is a good thing,” Martin said. “He works hard in the weight room and in the wrestling room. I don’t see why he couldn’t compete for a state title this year.”
Benetti is one of 16 returning letterwinners or returning starters.
The lineup projects as this: freshman Hunter Christeson (106), junior Devon Owens (113), junior Chandler McAtee (120), senior Mason Wilcox (126), senior Andrew Curry (132), junior Charles Hawkins (138), junior Jordan Eli (145), Simmons at 152, senior Noah Gates (160), junior Trevor Rock (160), junior Cody Harris (170), senior Anthony Patinksy (182), senior Skyler Benetti (182), junior Ozzie Garcia (220) and heavyweights and seniors Johnathan Ghering and Tucker Snow. Connor Snyder, a senior, could factor anywhere from 138 to 160 pounds.
Garcia and Ghering fell just short of reaching state last year. Eli is a transfer from North Dakota but with a lot of experience, although he was injured last season.
“I think he’s (Eli) going to be a pretty good wrestler,” Martin said. “He has to learn how we do things. But he’s got the right attitude about it.”
Overall, Martin is optimistic. While the end of last season left a bitter taste, he anticipates a team eager to bury those memories and make amends.
“I think it’ll be as good a year as any we’ve had,” Martin said. “We have some tough kids this year. … We have 12 to 14 kids who have not made it to the state tournament. We have a lot of guys who have not reached their full potential and, in my eyes, should be motivated to make that next step.”
