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“We have high expectations, but that’s a positive,” said Monett’s Ben Hoensee.
When you think of Monett wrestling, you think of wins, but that’s the way it’s always been.
“I grew up with Monett wrestling. Ever since I was four I was on the mat. I know all these guys up on the banners,” said Cubs senior wrestler Matthew Bahl.
And one of the names hanging in the rafters is Monett’s new head coach Ben Hoensee.
“I think it’s more that you feel like everyone’s eyes are on you now,” Hoensee said.
Darrell Bradley had coached the Cubs for 20 years, stepping down after Monett went back to back as Class 2 State Champions.
“Coach Bradley did an awesome job throughout his career, he’s still doing a great job helping with our junior high, but it’s big shoes to fill,” Hoensee said.
And Coach Hoensee is stepping into the role after seven years as his assistant.
“He knows what it takes, I mean, he won an individual title, and he’s won two team titles with us, so he knows what it takes to get it done,” said Bahl.
Cubs tracks traced all over this coach’s heart.
“It’s everything. I started wrestling in this program when I was four. I went through the youth program, I went through the middle school program. This is literally my career other than college. It’s meant a lot to me, I had a lot of great coaches growing up, and I just want to give that back to this community and to the kids,” said Hoensee.
Monett might have a new head coach, but don’t expect the winning culture to change.
“Our overall motto is shake and bake, but this year it’s ‘whatever it takes,’ so that goes individually and team-wise. We’re going to do whatever it takes to get it done,” Bahl said.
“That’s what we tell the kids every day, we’re hard on them because we have high expectations and we’re going to keep working on our goals. We’re just going to keep moving forward. The future is bright, we’ve got work to do. I mean, it’s just another year,” Hoensee said.
