By Chris Parker
Cassville wrestling will be led by a quartet of returning state placers this year. The Wildcats return two state placers on the boys side and state runner-up Annie Moore and fifth place finisher Faith James to the girls team.
Moore is one of the state’s more accomplished wrestlers. She qualified for state as a freshman but did not place. Two years ago, Moore won the state title at 112 pounds with a 34-1 record overall. Last year, Moore was state runner-up at 115 pounds posting a 51-3 overall record. Through three seasons, Moore has a record of 106-11.
“Annie Moore has been a huge part of our program’s success and coming into her senior year she has a great chance to not only have individual success but lead our team to success that we haven’t had as a team yet,” Cassville head coach Nathan Fortner said. “She is a state champ and runner-up and is not only a decorated wrestler for our program but she is a pioneer for all of women’s wrestling. Annie is one of the toughest wrestlers I have ever coached, and if she has time to put on her makeup you better watch out.”
Moore will lead a girls team that projects to have 12 to 15 out this year with goals of a team trophy. Girls wrestling will have two classes for the first time this year.
“I think the split will be good for the girls program because the numbers have exploded over the past two years,” Fortner said. “Our girls have made an impact on the girls wrestling scene the past two years, and I have high expectations for them this year. A few of my girls have put in a lot of extra work in the off-season to prepare for this upcoming season. I have high expectations for our girls team this year.”
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James will look to move up the podium after finishing sixth at 135 pounds last year with a 50-9 overall record. She projects at 135 or 140 pounds this year.
“Faith James is one of the wrestlers that has put in a ton of extra work throughout the offseason this year. She has wrestled in several national tournaments since the state tournament last year. She will also be a great leader for our team and I have extremely high expectations for her this year,” Fortner said. “Faith is one of the wrestlers that has aspirations to continue her wrestling career at the next level which shows you how she loves the sport. She won freestyle state this summer and comes into this year looking to add a folkstyle state championship to her resume. She was also an All-American at preseason nationals.”
Senior Kailey Artherton is a third returning state qualifier for Cassville. She will wrestle in the 115-120 pound range.
“(Kailey is a) two-time state qualifier; motivated to have her best season yet,” Fortner said. “She will also be a great leader for our team.”
Hailey Roark has put in a strong off-season of work that should pay off this winter.
“Hailey is one of my most technical wrestlers and is the other wrestler that has put in a ton of work this offseason,” Fortner said. “Hailey is another wrestler that has aspirations at wrestling at the next level and I have high expectations for her at the state level this year.”
Taylor Glidewell also brings a veteran presence to the room.
“Taylor Glidewell will also be one of our veteran wrestlers and will also be one to look out for as she made huge jumps last year in her wrestling success,” Fortner said.
Kennedy Truman, Heather Hall, Meadow Richardson, Ava Hinson, and Monique Lopez, Saige Holman, and Rebekah Fry will all be new Cassville High School wrestlers this upcoming season.
Fortner expects this group to do big things.
“Overall Expectations are to dominate as a team,” Fortner said. “The girls have already set their goals to win a championship this year.”
BOYS WRESTLING
Akhilleus Arguelles and Jake Anthonysz are Cassville returning state placers on the boys’ side.
Arguelles took fifth at 132 pounds with a 37-10 record overall last year. He projects at 126 or 132 pounds this year.
“(He is) explosive and wrestles through every position, so you can never count him out of a match,” Fortner said. “I have high expectations for him this year. If he stays healthy and continues to put in the work, he has a very high ceiling for success.”
Anthonysz also finished fifth at state last year. He was at 160 pounds where he posted a 34-9 record. He is expected at 157 or 165 this year.
“(He is a) student of the sport. He’s always watching film and loves to wrestle. He is also one of the hardest workers on our team and will be an essential leader coming into this season,” Fortner said. “Jake also has a high ceiling and there is no doubt that he will outwork his opponents. I believe that he can win it all.”
Senior Kurt Deaver gives the boys a third returning state qualifier. He went 15-11 at 113 pounds last year. He will wrestle in the 106 or 113-pound weight class this year. Classmate Matt Whittenburg (132 or 138) is another returning starter for Cassville.
Colton Roark, Riley James, Tristan Thompson, and DJ Glidewell are all freshmen who have had success at the state level in youth. They will all make immediate varsity impacts.
