By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
After making history by becoming West Plains’ first female state medalist, Nikiesha Davis will be striving for more success at a new weight class.
Davis is making the jump from 135 pounds to 155 for her junior season. She was 37-7 and placed sixth at 135 at the Class 1 State Tournament last season.
“Nikeshia is looking to build off of that state experience and improve throughout the season,” West Plains coach Jesse McGuire said. “Nikeshia started wrestling her freshman year and has worked very hard to get to where she is. She is very strong and never missed a weight room session over the summer.”
McGuire is taking the reins of West Plains’ program for the first time as its head coach, but has been a fixture with the Zizzers and Lady Zizzers.
“I have been helping with the program in some capacity for five years,” McGuire said. “I am looking forward to this season, as we have a good group of athletes on both the boys and girls teams. There is a small group that I have coached since middle school with our youth club. ”
McGuire adds he is appreciative of his coaching staff.
“I am looking forward to working with the coaching staff that we have in place,” he said “Keegan Hoopes runs our strength and conditioning side of the house and is an assistant football coach. Karsyn Smith is new to being a wrestling coach, but brings a lot of experience (from) softball and is going to be a huge part of our team. We also have a Zizzer wrestling alumnus that is a volunteer with the team. Lianna Ward wrestled a year in college at University of the Cumberlands. She will also give us a lot of help in the room.”
The Zizzers will feature Colten McGuire at 150. He was 25-15 at 120 as a freshman and 22-17 at 138 as a sophomore last season.
“Colten worked hard in the off-season, both in the weight room and wrestling,” Jesse McGuire said. “He wrestled quite a bit of greco and freestyle this spring and summer. He has some lofty goals for his junior year, and he is looking to improve on his sophomore season and concentrate on getting better everyday. We are looking for him to be a leader for us and help our team continue to grow.”
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The Zizzers also include sophomore Xarian Richardson (113, 120), senior Kyler Curran (144), senior George Fisher, senior Cooper Darnell (175) and senior Colby Peterson (285).
“Cooper and George are multiple-time letter winners and have some big goals for their senior seasons,” McGuire said. “Kyler was stuck behind two very tough teammates in years past but looks to break through this year and contribute a lot to this team.”
McGuire has been impressed by freshman Colby Peterson.
“He has been showing up and working hard,” McGuire said. “He was at all of the off-season open mats and looks to start a successful high school (career) this season.”
In addition to Davis, the Lady Zizzers welcome back a State qualifier in senior Zoey Foster (170).
“She is looking to improve on last year’s success,” McGuire said.
West Plains also has junior Madyson Melvin (110), senior Ariana Richardson (115), sophomore Flora Darnell (120) and senior Kayci Allcorn (190).
“All of our returning girls have at least a full season of varsity experience under their belts, and will be competitive,” McGuire said.
