By Kary Booher (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The past three seasons, the Rolla High School wrestling team has drawn more than 100 wrestlers to the room annually. So, asked about his projected numbers this year, Rolla coach Marty Hauck had this response:
“I have no idea with COVID,” Hauck said, offering a response that could be the line from every wrestling coach this winter.
Like most other programs, Rolla limited its summer workouts or became strategic. For the Bulldogs, that became all the more important considering that they return nine starters, including four who were state medalists — among them state champion Nate Pulliam.
The roster includes sophomore Braiden Squires (106), senior Trenton Cochran (113), junior Hunter Hoffman (120), senior Orion Parker (126), junior Jakobe Smith (132), senior James Wick and Keegan Johnson (138), Pulliam and sophomore Ben Perkins (145) and, at 152, senior Xander Sederburg and sophomore Kennedy Kearse.
In the upper weights, look for junior Andre Ridenhour and Kendall Johnson (160), senior David Redding, sophomore Justin Waneka and junior Elijah Hawkins (170), senior Titus Taylor, sophomore Gabe Sutton and junior Waylon Kinder (182), junior Hayden Fane, sophomore Chance Mickem and junior Quinn Beaugard (195), juniors Dakota Kelly, Ethan Crouch and Adam Masterson (220) and juniors Reiss Clark, Luke Beaugard and sophomore Broc Owens at 285.
Pulliam is 115-1 in high school and recently verbally committed to the University of Missouri. He is a three-time state finalist, two-time state champion, three-time conference champion, three-time district champion and two-time district Wrestler of the Year.
“We can’t wait to watch him during his senior campaign,” Hauck said. “He is a great leader and does so many little things correctly and works with anyone on the team. We are looking forward to enjoying his final high school season with him and sharing some more moments on the mat.”
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Sederburg, Ridenhour and Fane each placed fifth. Sederburg is a two-time state qualifier and placed as a sophomore.
“Last season, unfortunately the week of state, he became ill and couldn’t participate at state,” Hauck said. “He is definitely a funky wrestler who has plenty of experience on the mat and in quality matches. We are looking forward to just simply getting back on the mat with him and watching him shine again.”
Ridenhour also could be fun to watch.
“He is one of our most explosive wrestlers,” Hauck said. “He loves to compete and continues to improve each year. Every day he is in the room he improves and we can’t wait to see his confidence continue to grow alongside his teammates this season.”
Fane could be a workhorse.
“The past two seasons he has battled some serious injuries and still performed at a super high level,” Hauck said. “He is coming in this season healthy and ready to go for the first time in his high school career. We can’t wait to just enjoy him doing his thing on the mat.”
Hoffman was one win from state last year. Johnson was 17-2 but was behind a state placer on the roster. And the upper weights should be competitive.
All this comes at a time when Rolla’s junior high school is beginning a wrestling program, with possibly 51 boys and 16 girls.
“We love our district and schedule,” Hauck said. “It is so highly competitive with some of the best wrestlers in the state. Last year we saw every state champion and runner up at least once. Which is what we want, to see and know where we need to be for a chance at the end of the season.”
Girls wrestling
Rolla is expecting a full girls lineup, including returning state medalist Hannah O’Connor, a senior. She placed fifth last year.
Look for Ryan Garthoeffner, Gracie Skyles, Molly Kell, Madison Dishman, and Taylor Heimbaugh to compete as well as juniors Ayo Islenami, Palammi Walker and Brooke Dillon who gained experience last year.
“It is exciting to see them get committed and working so hard,” Hauck said.
