By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Logan-Rogersville coach Jason Carter’s reputation as an enthusiastic and optimistic sort makes him the best promoter the Wildcats will ever find for their program.
But Carter went to another level with a bold statement while hyping up the Wildcats in what will be his 24th season at Rogersville.
“We have a great group returning,” he said. “High expectations for the team. We have on paper the best team we have had in my time at Rogersville.”
Jackson Snider headlines a slew of veterans. He was 26-9 and a state runner-up at 150 as a junior last season. Snider edged Riley James, of Cassville, 3-2 in a state semifinal, before losing 7-0 in the title tilt to Lake Waters, of Odessa.
Carter feels Snider has prepared himself well to make the jump to 157.
“He put time in the weight room and on the mats this off-season,” Carter said. “He put in more time in the off-season this year than in any year past. He is ready to take the next step. He represented (Rogersville) at the Super 32 in North Carolina and proved he can be competitive with anyone in the state.”
The Wildcats also welcome back:
— Brody Zimmerman “He was at 106 last year and a bubble-match kid at districts,” Carter said. “He has been on the mat a ton this summer and will be at 113 with big expectations.”
— Zion Hibbert “A state qualifier last year at 113. He is bumping to 120,” Carter said. “If he stays healthy, (he) should really make some noise in February. Saddled with some injuries last year. He can be as good as he wants to be.”
— Izaiah Watkins “He was at 120 and 126 last year. Should fall in 126-132 range (this year),” Carter said. “He is a senior and has really shown a desire to improve on the good season he had last year. He was very disappointed with how his season ended. We believe he learned from that and will turn it around.”
— Braxton Yost “A state qualifier last year at 132. He got a taste of the state tournament and is hungry for more. He should be at 132 or 138 (this year),” Cater said. “He put time in, working in the off season.”
— Rowen Homburg “He was at 138 last year and got every bad break in the book,” Carter said. “Despite that, he was a bubble-match kid. Best kid on the team that did not qualify for state. Has been the victim of injury and bad luck in the past. This year he will break through. We know this is his year.”
— Chris Jones “Rough situation being a freshman at 165 and a first-year wrestler (last year),” Carter said. “A year of maturity and the experience he gained will be valuable.”
— Keziah Queen “He was a bubble-match kid last year as a sophomore at 175,” Carter said. “Has matured this year and is very focused. Should be returning at 175 again and we have high expectations.”
— Hunter Turano “A junior who gained some varsity experience last year. Should be around 190,” Carter said.
— Jacob Shinkarevich “Returning from an injury last year. He is a senior and will be at 215,” Carter said.
— Lucas Parris “Senior at 285, a state qualifier and won a match at state last year,” Carter said. “He broke through last year. Sky is the limit for him.”
Carter couldn’t be more excited about his freshman class.
“Best group of freshmen we have had,” he said. “Dawson Ritter has been a fixture in the wrestling room for every open mat we have had. He will surprise a lot of people in the first few weeks. He will no longer be a surprise after that. Phillip Gann was also at every off-season thing we did. Super tough mentally and physically. Aaman Kleis, Ryland Mayfield,and Finley McDermitt should also find their way into the varsity lineup some this year.”
On the girls side, Kaylee Mastroianni and Allie Adair are returnees.
“We are hoping to get more participation from our girls this year,” Carter said.
Carter has mixed feelings about Rogersville leaving the Big Eight to join the Ozark Mountain Conference.
“Kind of bittersweet for us as wrestlers because the Big Eight was a super tough tournament,” he said. “But it will be fun being part of the OMC.”
