By Kary Booher (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For the first time since 1998, the Lebanon High School wrestling program will have a new coach.
Call it big shoes to fill for Nathan Rogers, a nine-year assistant under former coach Randy Roark, who retired after last season.
“Lebanon has a great tradition of success. I am not looking to restart anything, but continue to promote growth within our program,” Rogers said. “I am proud of our athletes, community, and brand and hope to build on the foundation Coach Roark created.”
Projected roster
Rogers anticipates about 70 wrestlers on the early season roster. That includes 12 returning starters who helped the Yellowjackets compile a 16-3 dual record and win the Ozark Conference.
Look for Brice Helmig at 106 pounds, Micah Perryman at 113, Devan Dame and Kaden Branch at 120, Canon Roark and Brice Young at 126, Davis Joiner and Bodee O’Neill at 132, Jonathan Perryman at 138, and Drew Boling and Rudy Zevallos at 144.
At 150,look for Ryan Henrichs and Avery Starnes.
At 157, it could be Taydem Johnson and Starnes. Jax Glendenning, Nick Allen and Kieler Branch are at 165, while Ben Cooper and Nathan Bartel are at 175, Cade Musica and Preston Ellingson at 190, Gunner Williams at 215 and Jayden Hubler, Owen Rodriguez and Wyatt Shumate are at 285.
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF THE WINTER PREVIEWS
Returning starters
Five are returning state qualifiers, including four medalists.
Davis, a senior, is a three-time state qualifier who placed fourth in 2020. He also is a team captain.
“Davis’ favorite activity is working hard,” Rogers said. “He is very tough and always working to improve his abilities. He’s being recruited by Drury and will be successful whatever he chooses to do.”
Roark, a junior, placed third in 2021.
“Canon has such a high ceiling concerning potential,” Rogers said. “He is very talented and has been competing at a high level since he was 5.”
Bowling is a two-time state qualifier who placed third in 2021. He also is a team captain.
“Drew is our only junior team captain, which speaks volumes about his value to this team,” Rogers said. “He has a knack for encouraging and pulling others up to his level. We expect big things from this young man over the next two years.”
Johnson qualified for state last year, too, and is a team captain.
“Taydem started to realize his potential last season,” Rogers said. “He was one of our most improved wrestlers and this year will be even better. He has put in a lot of work this summer and I expect him to bring some hardware home from state this year.”
Musica is a two-time state qualifier and team captain.
“Cade has consistently been a top performer for us since youth wrestling,” Rogers said. “He is always doing the right things inside and outside the wrestling room to prepare for success.”
Ellingson was voted a team captain, despite missing most of last season due to injury.
Hubler placed fifth last season.
“Jayden is one of the most athletic big men you’ll ever see,” Rogers said. “He has a lot of potential on and off the mat.”
Rogers is familiar with the wrestlers.
“It is a huge advantage,” Rogers said. “I know our team’s strengths, weaknesses and history. That makes any adjustment so much easier.”
Lebanon Girls
Since MSHSAA began hosting a state tournament for girls, Lebanon High School’s girls program has been the class of the state.
Now the question is – can the Yellowjackets keep the success going? After all, Lebanon won its third state title in four seasons last March. The Yellowjackets also won their fourth Ozark Conference title and fourth district title.
“Our goals this season are the same we have every year – work our hardest in the practice room so we can perform our best in competition,” coach Matt Neely said. “The goal is to get just a little bit better every day. Be aggressive and relentless on the wrestling mat.”
Neely projects about 22 wrestlers on the roster, including eight who were state qualifiers last year.
Look for sophomore Keira Bragg and freshman Lacey Malonson at 100 pounds, junior Lillian Cottongim at 105, senior Adeline Cottongim at 110, sophomore Jessa Joiner at 115, junior Brooklyn Butler and freshman Alyssa Dawson at 120, sophomore Trinity Gibson and freshman Mae Ervin at 125, junior Halea Bartel at 130, and sophomore Delaney Ziegler and freshman Andrea Childress at 135.
In the remaining weight classes, it could be senior Taylor Johnson at 140, senior Bailey Joiner at 145, senior Jasmine Alley and sophomores Carleigh Campbell and Marilyn Durbin at 155, sophomore Arianna Thomas and freshman Kayln Brumley at 170, junior Mariyah Brumley 190, senior Makenna Lucas, sophomore Priscilla Jackson and freshman Sophiea Quinn at 235.
State qualifiers
The Cottingim sisters, the Joiner sisters, Bartel, Johnson, Alley and Brumley all advanced to the state tournament last year.
Jessa Joiner placed third, Bartel was a state runner-up in 2021 and placed fourth last year. Johnson has placed third each of the past two seasons. Bailey Joiner was a state runner-up last season, a year after placing third. Brumley placed fifth each of the past two seasons.
Jessa Joiner is pretty interesting, since she is only a sophomore.
“She’s a hard worker and very coachable, has a very unique wrestling style. She had great freshman year with her only losses coming to one wrestler, a nationally top ranked, four-time time undefeated state champion,” Neely said. “She put time in the offseason, wrestling freestyle for Team Missouri and brought home All-American status at the U16 National Championships in Fargo, N.D.”
Brumley became a two-time All-American at the Fargo (N.D.) Nationals in July and was a finalist in 16-and-younger and earned a fifth-place finish in the junior division.
Bartel, Johnson and Alley wrestled freestyle this past summer, Neely said.
“The Cottongim sisters always are in every match no matter who the opponent is, with both being state qualifiers in the past,” Neely said. “Adeline is returning from a season-ending injury from last year and looking to get back to the state tournament while Lillian looks to improve on her state performance from last year.”
One of the reasons Lebanon has been so good out of the gate is Neely, a former wrestler at Raymore-Peculiar High School.
“Being a team that has seen much success in the past inspires the wrestlers to want to continue that,” Neely said. “But it’s a new season, and every team starts fresh. They are going to have to practice and prepare properly if they want to see that same success this year.”
