By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
As a three-time state qualifier and three-time state placewinner, Bolivar’s Cooper Moore wants more entering his senior season.
“Cooper has his eyes set on winning it all this year,” Liberators coach Clayton McCullah said, “He has been working relentlessly in the off-season training for his final season as a Liberator. I am really proud of his work and dedication and am excited to see how he does this year.”
Moore, who finished third at state as a freshman, fourth as a sophomore and second as a junior, will chase after a championship at either 138 or 144 pounds. He was 44-4 at 144 last season.
Mason McCurry also returns for Bolivar after medaling at state. He was third at 175 and 41-4 last season.
“He is extremely athletic and works hard,” McCullah said. “He is looking to improve upon that third-place finish.”
Maddux NeSmith is a returning two-time state qualifier chasing after his first state medal. He will be at 150 for his senior season.
“He is looking to finish on the podium,” McCullah said. “He is a hard worker and very dedicated to his craft. He has packed quite a bit of muscle.”
At the lower weights, Bolivar welcomes back juniors Isaiah Ortega and Madden Ross and sophomore Thomas Henderson.
Filling in between 157-215 will be juniors Cale McCurry, Logan Bunn, Sam Harless and Owen McCullah.
“They are all state qualifier and state medalist caliber wrestlers,” McCullah said. “Cale, Logan, and Sam were all in the bubble match at districts. Owen suffered a season-ending injury and was unable to compete at districts. They have all put in a lot of work during the off-season and we are excited to have them back in the room with their sights set on the podium at state.”
Making the jump from jayvee to varsity will be sophomore Reese Isenberg and junior Korbin Parmalee. Juniors Granton Bayless and Carter Ryan and sophomores Andrew Small, Logan Roberts, and John Goff and Milo Griffin will also be looking to crack the varsity lineup.
Leading the list of newcomers is Remy Manes.
“He has been very active in the room over the off-season and has really picked up the sport,” McCullah said. “He is a natural and I could see him fitting in and helping at our middle-lower weights.”
On the girls side, Sydney Walters returns for her senior season after becoming the program’s first state qualifier. She will be at either 120 or 125.
“She has her eyes on the podium this year,” McCullah said.
The Lady Liberators also welcome back LaShyla Moore and Shelby Holm. They both made it as far as the bubble-match round at districts last season.
Moore will be at 115 or 120 this year, while Holm will be at 140.
“LaShyla battled back from injury last year and hopes to qualify (for state) and medal this year,” McCullah said. “Shelby has worked hard in the off-season and hopes to qualify out and get on the podium.
“We are excited to continue growing the girls side of our program and building on the successes we saw last year,” he added.
Bolivar will feature Alyssa Mayberry at 135 and Maisie McCullah at 190.
Newcomers for the Lady Liberators include Adriana Lilly and Mariah Bolen.
“These ladies arguably have the most experience we’ve had from any freshmen on the girls side,” McCullah said. “They both have wrestled at the youth level for several years and have had a lot of success. We are excited to have them in the room this year.
Bolivar will travel as far as Granite City, Illinois to compete in the Red Schmidt Holiday Tournament over the Christmas break.