By Kary Booher (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Year of the Comeback. The Restoring Order Tour.
Any one of those slogans could apply this season to several members of the Willard Tigers wrestling team, which returns 10 starters – including a state medalist and two other state qualifiers. But most want to either build off near-misses or make up for lost time.
A case in point: Christian Finley, one of the area’s top 106-pound freshmen last season but who fell just short of a state tournament berth, despite owning the team’s third-most wins (39).
“We think that late-season disappointment has really sparked a fire in Christian,” Willard coach Justin Wisdom said. “He is a great competitor and we think he can be a medalist this season.”
Willard has become one of the area’s more competitive programs, including 46-7 in the past three years under Wisdom. Since 2012, the Tigers have had four Top 10 finishes at state, and Wisdom wants that showing again.
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“We have many individual goals and, if we peak at the right time and are wrestling our best in February, then we will reach them,” Wisdom said.
Jed Brandon, now at 170, placed fifth last year, finishing 45-13 and second on the team in wins. The other returning state qualifiers are 152-pound Tallon Heimbach and 220-pound senior Cameron Caldwell.
“At the end of last season, (Brandon) found the extra confidence it takes to be superior,” Wisdom said.
Heimbach was 37-6 but fell just shy of a state medal.
“Tallon has been a solid piece of our lineup for three years,” Wisdom said. “He didn’t reach his goal last season and that has left a sour taste in his mouth.”
Ryder Heimbach was 31-14 last year, finished second on the team in pins and won three regular-season tournaments.
“Ryder had a lot of potential coming in as a freshman, but we think the mental part of being a freshman in a tough varsity lineup got the best of him when it counted,” Wisdom said. “We believe that extra year under his belt will give him the confidence to perform the way he is capable of this season.”
Caldwell suffered an injury and missed last year.
“The start of his senior year has lit the fire under him again for competition,” Wisdom said.
The projected lineup includes 113-pound junior Mike Finley, sophomores Oscar Martinez and Tim Stevens at 120 and 126, 132-pound senior Jonah Peters and 160-pound junior Gavin Wallace. The Tigers’ 182-, 195 and 285-pound weight classes are up in the air.
Mike Finley could make a dent.
“Mike is on the verge of that breakout season, and this year we believe is his time,” Wisdom said.
Overall?
“There are few holes that we need to figure out in the lineup, but we think we have some kids that will fit in nicely,” Wisdom said. “We have a core of kids that are doing the right things on and off the mat which bodes well for success.”
