2022-23 Winter Preview: Ozark Wrestling

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By Kary Booher (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

If the wrestlers of Ozark High School assumed that they could enjoy the moment of last season – when they won the Central Ozark Conference, and then district for a second consecutive year – their coach has some news for them.

The moment is over.

“We can’t lose our focus on our goals,” Ozark coach Tod Sundlie said. “Basically, we have to continue to grow and mature in all aspects. Having some success can build great momentum for all levels of your program, top to bottom. However, the intensity and focus needs to stay on the right things. We have many areas to improve and much work to do.”

Projected roster

Sundlie anticipates about 35 wrestlers in the room early in the season. The neat part is that the Tigers return 12 of 14 starters, including six state qualifiers – namely defending state champion Braxton Strick.

In the lighter weights, it could be sophomores Damion Moseley, Caden Harrington, Keaton Hurst and junior Eian McCracken.

In the middle weights, look for senior Levi Maskrod, Strick, Brock Sundlie, Lucas Campbell, junior Daniel Laney and seniors Mason Highly, Eric Shepard and Kody Shepard.

In the upper weights, it could be senior Jason Burge, junior Johnny Williams, senior Jackson Speed, sophomore Ruben Arvizu and senior Peyton Greer.

Returning starters

Most eyes will be on Strick, who won state last season at 152 pounds in Class 4. He finished the season 46-3, and his career has featured third-place and state runner-up finishes.

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“Braxton continues to grow and develop, and his passion to do so has always lifted up those around him,” Coach Sundlie said.

The other returning state qualifiers are Moseley, Hurst, Maskrod, Brock Sundlie and Campbell. Moseley placed fourth at 106 pounds.

“Damion just showed tremendous growth throughout the season last year, and will have to do so again this year,” Coach Sundlie said. “However, he understands this and is working to meet this reality head on.”

He then added this, “While both of these individuals have continued to work to improve in the offseason, they have not been alone.”

“Hurst, Maskrod, Campbell, and Brock Sundlie have also had great offseasons and have helped lead our team in their efforts to stay hungry and continuously improve,” Coach Sundlie said. “These guys have committed to the process, and therefore have also led the rest of the team to also pursue our goals.”

Sleepers?

Well, don’t sleep on Eric Shephard, Harrington or several others.

“Eric is one of the toughest athletes we have had here at Ozark, and his work ethic and focus is contagious to those around him,” Coach Sundlie said.

Harrington now has a year’s worth of high school experience that could enhance Ozark scoring points in tournaments.

“Harrington also had a strong season last year as a freshman and, with some adjustments, he should also look forward to an even better season,” Coach Sundlie said.

Sundlie also pointed out that Laney, Kody Shepard, Williams, Burge and Greer followed up encouraging seasons last year by putting in the work this past offseason.

Overall, it adds up to what could be another interesting winter.

“We will have a very competitive room this year and, with our very challenging schedule, we will need contributions from several different wrestlers,” Coach Sundlie said.

And, as much as he’ll remind them that they have work to do now, the Tigers seem to have gotten the message already.

“Our kids did a good job understanding the expectations this offseason, and worked to continue pursuing their goals,” Coach Sundlie said. “The commitment to our offseason expectations has been consistent and admirable.”

Ozark Girls

Ozark’s girls team is now in its second year and will have about 20 on the roster.

That includes eight returning starters in Adiliyn Hoelzle, Tori Dunn, Alyvia Myers, Maelynn Sundlie, Anjelika Tsaruk, Claire Wheeler, Kaetryn Oliver and Sara Cazier.

“Our girls team, for the first time, will have returning wrestlers,” Sundlie said. “These girls jumped right in, had a great first year for our program and worked hard during the offseason to improve their wrestling skills. While we will have some newcomers in the room, we will also have some returning, experienced girls who should really help set the tone. For our new girls, wrestling program this is exciting.”

Dunn, Wheeler and Cazier are all seniors.

“Tori and Claire were one match from going to state in their first year of wrestling,” Sundlie said. “At this point, it is very difficult to project our lineup, but we are looking forward to watching Tori, Claire, and Sarah lead this team their senior year.”

Ozark didn’t have a state qualifier, but it had some positives. The Lady Tigers placed second in both the Kinloch Classic and the Ozark Conference.

“Our new girls team last year had many questions going in,” Sundlie said. “None of the girls that came out had ever wrestled a match before, and we weren’t sure who would really grasp the sport and stick it out. However, having girls that had competed in other sports like cheerleading, volleyball, soccer and our ROTC Raiders program really helped jump-start the competitive expectations. And those girls helped lead a new group of girls through their first year.”

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