By Kary Booher (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
In wrestling, coaches usually tell their guys to take mental notes for the road ahead.
That’s what the coach of the Monett High School wrestling team hopes the Cubs did last year, when they finished as the Class 3 state runner-up – despite a 5-10 record in duals and a series of setbacks, illness and injuries, specifically.
“I hope this inspires our younger wrestlers to fight through adversity and stick with the process as they continue in their careers,” Monett coach Ben Hohensee said.
You figure it won’t take much to motivate Monett, which has long been one of southwest Missouri’s most competitive programs. The Cubs won three state titles and eight district titles in the 20 seasons before Hohensee took over following the coaching retirement of Daryl Bradley.
The departure of three state qualifiers, including two who had won state titles, creates an interesting scenario this winter. A number of weights are up in the air.
Projected roster
Monett could have about 20 wrestlers when the season gets under way. That includes seven returning starters. Four qualified for state, with three earning some hardware.
The projected roster could be Aidan Branch at 103 pounds, followed by sophomore Simon Hartline (113), Owen Spears (120), Rhyn Whitnell (152), Corbin McCulley and Konner Poynter (170), Daven Madrid (182) and senior Ethan Umfleet (195).
Four guys are in contention at 220 in Josh Harvey, Fernando Hinojosa, Caleb Hoffman and Christian Bellville. Harrison Merriman, a senior, and Keller Snodgrass and Osiel Salas are at 285.
Hohensee figures there will be a lot of competition at 126, 132, 138, 145 and 160 pounds.
Umfleet was a state champion at 182 pounds and Merriman finished third at 285 pounds. Merriman won a state championship as a sophomore.
Umfleet is a three-time state medalist.
“Ethan is a very good athlete and has exceptional speed and strength,” Hohensee said. “The thing I like about Ethan is his physicality. He isn’t fancy and physical in every match. Ethan also participates in football. I look forward to seeing him finish on top this season.”
Merriman also has placed three times at the state tournament.
“Harrison is a big guy who has great feet for a heavyweight,” Hohensee said. “Harrison has been successful due to his work ethic and willingness to put in extra time in the offseason. He also does football and baseball. I look for him to be very motivated after last season, and I look to see him at the top of the podium at the end of the season.”
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Hartline was a state-runner up at 106 pounds last season.
“The great thing about Simon is that he absolutely loves to wrestle,” Hohensee said. “He stays busy in the offseason and always likes to give back helping youth wrestlers in his spare time. Simon is a great scrambler and never gives up on a position. I look forward to seeing his fundamentals improve this year.”
McCully qualified for state last year and, given he has been in the system for years, look for a breakthrough.
“Last year, he really found his stride and put together a very successful season qualifying for the state tournament,” Hohensee said. “Corbin is a powerful kid who has a great work ethic and can be dangerous at all times. I look forward to seeing him on the podium as a senior this year.”
Sleepers?
Keep eyes on Poynter, a two-year starter, as well as Harvey, a starter who won some key matches last season, and Withnell, a starter the past two seasons.
Goals
“My goals this year are to compete in every dual and enjoy the small victories,” Hohensee said. “We may have lots of young guys in the lineup that will need to develop quickly. A team goal would be to finish top four at the state championships.”
To ready the Cubs for the postseason, the schedule will be tough as always. Among the tournaments is one in Harrisonville, where they’ll see competitive Kansas City-area schools.
“I think we will be a great tournament team with our experienced wrestlers this season,” Hohensee said.
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Girls wrestling
Monett girls wrestling coach Justin Semerad anticipates 17 girls on the roster, including five returning starters.
MSHSAA will determine weight classes in a few weeks.
In the lighter weights, look for freshmen Libby Jastal, Ashley Montelongo, Kayrie Brudett as well as sophomore Nadia Lerma, and junior Jeena Spencer.
In the middle weights, Monett could have juniors Brooke Bluel and Brittany Hickerson, sophomore Londi Ramos, juniors Cadence McGlothlin, Dah Wah, and sophomores Jazmin Garrett and Maddie Bonham.
In the upper weights, it could be junior Breva Roberts, sophomore Emily Hinojosa and freshmen Gyovanna Croka and Sunica Eden.
Spencer was 5-1 last year but suffered a season-ending injury. Jastal and Brudett have multiple years of experience in youth wrestling.
Bluel was 21-15 last year, finishing second on the team in wins, pins and takedowns.
“She has the talent to be a state level wrestler but needs improve on the mental aspect of wrestling,” Semerad said. “As soon as she believes in her skills, she’ll be tough match for anyone.
Semerad is optimistic about Spencer bouncing back.
“She is running cross country this year and having lots of success,” Semerad said. “This will help improve her conditioning. Jeena is a very hard worker. Effort and attitude are never in question.”
Hickerson is only in her second season, but she was competing even into the offseason.
“She and Jenna are very active in ROTC,” Semerad said. “I think the leadership skills Brittany has learned in this program has carried over to the wrestling room.”
Potential sleepers are Hinojosa, who continues to add technique, and Garrett, who could make progress as she gains mat time.
One motivator is that since-graduated Abby Jastal was a state medalist – the first in program history – and signed with Central Methodist University.
“While Abby comes from a wrestling family, she was only in her third year of wrestling and shows what one can accomplish through determination and hard work,” Semerad said.
Goals for the season?
“The word ‘potential’ can both be a blessing and curse, We have a whole room of potential,” Semerad said. “Many of these young ladies have the potential to be state-level wrestlers. Many of them have the potential to be multi-time state placers. But at some point, we have to move behind that word ‘potential.’ My goals for this year are two-fold: continue to grow the program and to turn potential into reality.”
