By Kary Booher (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Over the past several years, you could always count on Buffalo High School’s wrestling teams to field tough competitors.
However, it may be a learning curve this winter. After all, the Bison said goodbye at graduation last spring to five state qualifiers. So, yes, coach Nick Whetzell is looking for reinforcements – but not just bodies to fill slots.
“Our goal continues to be a team of quality individuals who compete on the mat and are kids of high character off it. Going into this year we hope to see our numbers up a little bit and have heard some talk in the hallways of several new faces,” Whetzell said. “I do believe our staff has made it clear that we will not sacrifice expectations we have worked hard to set, just to have greater numbers. We want our program to be the leaders of our school and an example for all.”
Whetzell anticipates about 14 on the boys roster and about eight girls.
No, they may not exactly fill their shoes, but this year’s wrestlers may be wise to find inspiration from last year’s state qualifiers, who included state runner-up Brock Maverick on the boys side, as well as two girls placers in Jada Watson (third) and Skyler Maverick (fourth). The team was 3-12 in duals, but all that matters is finishing strong.
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Buffalo Boys
The lighter weights from 106 pound to 126 are wide open. From there, look for freshman Jobe Losinger at 132, junior Avery Patrick at 138, junior Jacob Nimmo at 144 and sophomore Aiden Patrick and freshman Lawson Sharp at 150.
In the upper weights, look for sophomore Connor Smith and freshman Logan Heglund at 157, Hunter Jenkins at 165, Conner White at 175 and senior Allen Reeves at 215. The team is open at 190 and 285.
Jenkins is a three-year starter who was at 170 last year, and finished 23-19.
“Hunter has the most experience in our room and has wrestled in tough weight classes the last two seasons, and in some tough matches,” Whetzell said. “He is a great teammate and always willing to help. I look for Hunter to break through to the state tournament this year as a senior.”
White wrestled at 170 and 182 last year and was 6-13.
“White should be in line to take complete control of a varsity spot this year as a senior,” Whetzell said. “Conner has bounced in and out of the lineup due to inexperience and upperclassmen. Conner is a ‘do-everything-right’ type of kid. I look forward to seeing where this year takes him based on the strides he has made the last two years.”
Reeves is a two-year starter who was 13-24 last season.
“Allen has gained a lot of experience in two years, and competed in a heavier weight class to get on the mat,” Whetzell said. “This year, I look for Allen to continue to make strides due to his coachability. With his weight being where it needs to be and the experience gained, Allen is poised for a great senior year.”
It may help that the summer was productive, including time with a well-known wrestler.
“Several of our team members had significant mat time in June,” Whetzell said. “We were able to travel to a couple different places and compete against several schools from western and central Missouri. We also were able to attend a camp put on by Terminator Wrestling Academy held at Buffalo High School. The clinician was Rulon Gardner, one of the greatest American wrestlers of all time.”
Buffalo Girls
The girls lineup for Buffalo could see freshmen Aja Watson at 125, Makayla Altic at 135, Sydney Glor at 145 and Carly Smith at 155. Taylor Copeland, a junior, also could see time at 155.
Watson and Altic already are piquing interest.
“Both have some experience on the mat. They both have proven in the offseason to be extremely coachable,” Whetzell said. “I look for both to gain momentum as the season goes on just based on their fierce competitive nature.”
The road ahead is up to the wrestlers, Whetzell said in so many words.
“The seniors that left us showed what it takes to lead and make it to the state tournament with five of seven seniors qualifying,” Whetzell said. “Hopefully that carries over to this year’s seniors, and we continue to compete on the mat and be people of high character off it.”
