By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Nathan Kelly’s second go-around as Carthage’s head coach will see the Tigers feature a wealth of experience, including three returning state qualifiers.
Tanner Putt, a senior, returns after placing sixth at state and compiling a 40-8 record at 106 pounds last season.
Caden Groom is back after his freshman season saw him post a 29-17 record and make state at 113.
David Recinos, a senior, returns after going 33-11 and making state at 215.
Kelly likes the trio’s chances of making a return trip to Columbia.
“I have confidence those guys are going to push to their next goal of a medal and higher up on the podium this year,” Kelly said.
Carthage’s top returnees also include junior Grady Huntley, who was 21-16 at 132 last season, and junior Lenny Escobar, who was 23-20 at 165.
The Tigers also welcome back four additional seniors with starting experience. Wyatt Hole was 21-23 at 120 last winter, Emerson Ixcol was 13-16 at 126, Jaxton Lopez was 13-15 at 285 and Aydan Nye was 9-17 at 144 and is 32-32 for his career.
Josh Hill, a junior, returns at 175.
Kelly values the competition the Tigers will have in their room.
“Across the board, we have a lot of returning experience at the varsity level that should help these guys step up their level of competition,” Kelly said
Kelly is optimistic the Tigers will fare well in the COC Tournament.
“Wrestling has grown so much in southwest Missouri and we have some tough competition so close to home,” he said. “We typically finish in the middle of the pack at COC. Based on our returning experience, we should do better than that. Despite the added teams, I expect to see more Carthage individual medalists than last year.”
Kelly, a Carthage grad and four-time state qualifier during his prep days, enjoyed a smooth transition from assistant coach to head coach last year.
“First year as a head coach was great,” Kelly said. “I had great support from the assistant coaches and the wrestlers that allowed me to consider last year a success. Through the challenges, I continued to focus myself on our team goals and purpose of using wrestling to prepare our students for life.”
Kelly has added 2020 Carthage grad Brener Ocana to his coaching staff as an assistant. Ocana was a three-time state qualifier for the Tigers.
“John Petticrew completed his 10th and final year coaching with us last year,” Kelly said. “Brener moves into his spot, having previously coached our junior high team.”
On the girls side, coach Shelby Swinehart projects the Lady Tigers’ numbers to reach the teens, perhaps as high as 16.
“Coach Swinehart has been a key component to getting our girls program up and running,” Kelly said.
The Lady Tigers have four returnees, Mischa Drackert, Emely Hernandez, Irish Lee and Maylee Brown.
Lee was one match from making state at 140 last season.
“We expect to see Irish earning a district medal this year, and are excited to see the continued improvement of our entire girls team,” Kelly said.
