By Kary Booher (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For the first time, coach Marty Hauck sent nine of his Rolla High School wrestlers on a trip this past summer to Europe.
Specifically, they competed in Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia. And that was just part of a busy summer.
“We attended several clinics, camps, and workouts with some of our nation’s best coaches and wrestlers at world team camps, national preparation camps, clinics, and did some overseas competitions and training,” Hauck said.
Naturally …
“After attending the Europe trip this summer, several of our kids gained confidence,” Hauck said, “and I can’t wait to see how that all plays out.”
Hauck is 165-39 at Rolla and has 258 dual wins to his career record, meaning he knows how to challenge wrestlers in the room and in tournaments.
That’ll be even more intriguing this year, as the Bulldogs figure to have 100 wrestlers in the room at the start of the season. Among those are seven returning starters, three of whom qualified for the state tournament last season.
The projected roster could be freshman Carson Mickem at 106 pounds, junior Caleb Parker at 113, sophomore Tommy Pratz at 120, senior Braiden Squires at 126, sophomore Nathaniel Black at 132, senior Cameron Allen at 138, sophomore Kayden Kinder at 144 and either sophomore Sawyer Black or junior Isaiah Duncan at 150.
In the upper weights, it could be senior Ben Perkins at 157, freshman Hayden Emory at 165, senior Justin Wakena at 175, senior Chance Mickem at 190, junior Gabe Sutton at 215 and senior Broc Horton-Owens at 285.
Returning qualifiers
Squires, Kinder and Owens all qualified for state last season.
In fact, Squires was in the “blood round” and fell short of qualifying for a medal.
“Which has fueled him to work hard this offseason,” Hauck said. “He went overseas, as well as to Fargo, to keep the level of competition high.”
Kinder also reached the so-called blood round at state last season. He shouldn’t have a problem with a competitive mindset, either.
“He spent the offseason in other sports and has had a solid football season as a sophomore looking to bring in some of that success onto the mat,” Hauck said.
Horton-Owens also gained experience last year and looks to apply it this winter.
“He was a state qualifier last year and loved the experience but isn’t satisfied with it and wants to bring home a medal his senior year,” Hauck said.
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Sleepers?
It’s hard to say that about a competitive room like Rolla’s. However, two to keep an eye on are Perkins and Sutton. They are now seniors and enhanced their craft with solid offseason workouts.
“Our goals are simple: We want #REPS. We want to build our Relationships, Education, Passion, and Servant Leadership,” Hauck said.
Schedule
It’s not for the faint of heart.
“We love our district and schedule. It is so highly competitive with some of the best wrestlers in the state,” Hauck said. “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. We will be attending some out-of-state events and broadening our knowledge through that.”
Rolla Girls
Rolla should be able to fill most weight classes in girls wrestling.
The projected roster could be Ella Christopher at 100, Bridgett Ragan at 105, Morgan Swift at 110, Gracie Skyles at 115, Gracie Clayton at 120, either Madison Dishman or Vittoria Wiley at 125, Taylor Heimbaugh at 130 and Morgan Burris at 135.
The rest of the projected lineup could be Kayley Pax at 140, Gabby Voshell at 145, Ryan Garthoeffner at 155, Haley Smith at 174, Serenity Tifford at 195 and Molly Kell at 235.
“We have several who have put in time this offseason and look to have a great year,” Hauck said.
Among them was Heimbaugh, a state qualifier.
“Heimbaugh is a tough wrestler who was a state qualifier last year and has had a great summer and is putting things together,” Hauck said. “She went to Europe and won both the junior and senior divisions in tournaments we went to.”
Kell also qualified for the state meet.
“She has trained as well since last season and looking to get a better finish,” Hauck said.
Skyles, Clayton, Garthoeffner and Christopher were all one win away last year from being a state qualifier.
“We are hoping to earn those state appearances this year,” Hauck said. “Also, we have several young ladies who have come in and went to work right away this past summer. Vittoria Wiley is one that stands out and went to several states and over to Europe training/competing trying to make the lineup and punch her ticket to state.”
