By Kary Booher (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For the first time in 18 years, the Central High School wrestling team will have a new coach in Michael Dalangin.
This marks his first year as a head coach, but he’s been around the sport for awhile. He has been an assistant at Waynesville and Glendale high schools, and helped with the Nixa Youth Wrestling Club. That was all after he wrestled for the Lebanon Yellowjackets in high school.
He takes over after Brian Pyck became the athletic director at Springfield Catholic High School.
“Coach Pyck did a great job with the program, and my goals align with his in many ways,” Dalangin said. “He is a huge advocate for wrestling in our area, and put in so much time establishing our youth program and coaching our high school wrestlers. My goals are to ensure our kids reach their personal goals, consistency in the wrestling room/classroom, and providing opportunities for our kids to get better.”
The history of Central isn’t lost on him, either. Bob Kinloch coached here for more than 40 years and was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
“It’s an honor to be able to coach in the same school where it all began for Coach Kinloch,” Dalangin said. “When you think of Coach Kinloch, you think of the many lives he impacted throughout the years in a positive way, the success he has had with wrestling in our area and the Kinloch Tournament.”
Roster
Dalangin anticipates 40 wrestlers on the roster at the start of the season. That includes 11 returning starters.
Look for sophomores in three of the first four weight classes: Isiah White at 106 pounds, Alexander Davies at 113 and Rylan Lasley at 126. Freshman Luke Phelps is at 120.
Seniors Lucas Gideon at 132, Cohen Bane and Jalen Ndongi at 144 follow, with sophomore Rogue Wilson at 150.
The lineup also could be senior Weston Jones at 157, junior Noah Phelps at 165, junior Braden Taylor at 175, junior Julian Bousquet at 190, sophomore Rashad Smith at 215, and senior Josh Nelson at 285.
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White, Davies, Lashley, Gideon, Bane, Ndongi, Wilson, Jones, Bousquet, Smith and Nelson are all returning starters. Lashley qualified at state his sophomore year and competed in the recent Fall Brawl.
“Lashley is a technical wrestler and does not back down. Jinx finished the season with a record of 17-6,” Dalangin said. “He is a tough kid on the mat! Jinx works hard in the wrestling room and is recovering from an injury last season.”
Gideon is a two-time state qualifier who was 29-11 last season.
“Lucas is a fun kid to coach. He is always in the wrestling room improving his technique and pushing his partners,” Dalangin said.
Cohen was 29-17 last season.
“Cohen Bane is one of the most technical wrestlers in the room,” Dalangin said. “He spent a lot of time at Drury over the summer wrestling at their open mats. He competed in numerous offseason tournaments and was able to wrestle with some of the best to prepare him for the season.”
Ndongi is moving up a weight class.
“Jalen is explosive and strong both in the weight room and on the mat,” Dalangin said. “Jalen has worked hard over the years and is determined to end his senior year on a good note.”
Central Girls
Central has seen some success from its girls program in recent years, and among those to watch this winter is Jaidyn Pohlsander, who qualified for the state tournament last year and finished 31-10. She is at 110 pounds.
Look as well for Kindrea Parrack at 115, Hannah Ballard at 120, Catalina Arteaga at 155, Jason Voisey at 160, Sofia Garcia at 170 and Lily Reynolds at 190.
“Jaidyn Pohlsander is a two-time state qualifier and is determined to make her way back to the state tournament for her junior season,” Dalangin said. “Jaidyn wrestled and placed at numerous offseason tournaments and put in the time to improve over the summer. Jaidyn is a natural leader and makes it a goal to get better every time she is in the practice room. We are working on certain techniques to help her become more successful this season.”
