By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
After qualifying for State for the first time last season, Republic’s Corbin Massey and Keaton Overcast both have their sights set on earning a medal this winter.
“Both wrestlers have put in a lot of time during the off-season,” coach Eric Nolan said. “They have goals of reaching the podium (at state) this season.”
Massey compiled a 41-12 record as a freshman at 106 that included a first-round win at state. He finished third at districts.
Over the off-season, Massey was as busy as any SWMO wrestler. He competed in eight tournaments. He will be at 113 this winter.
Overcast posted a 44-8 at 132 and also won his first match at state. He was also third at districts.
Overcast took second at the KC Super 32 Early Entry in September. He could stay at 132 or make the move to 138.
In addition to Massey and Overcast, Republic welcomes back Shea Rogers, Daniel Gonzales, Kaiden Patterson, Greg Hicks, Kam Sutton, Cam Allen, Tanner Gonzales, Izaiah Hull, Ethan Montiel, Chase Hicks, Cooper White, Jaxston Feuerborn and Devon Stumpff.
Hicks lost a one-point decision while falling one win short of qualifying for state last season. He enters his senior year already a member of the Tigers’ 100-win club.
Rogers and Greg Hicks also both won more than 20 matches last season.
A newcomer to Republic’s lineup is Coy Crihfield at 106 or 113. Crihfield was a youth state qualifier last season.
Republic’s four state qualifiers last season were the most ever for the program at the Class 4 level and the most for the Tigers since 2016. The Tigers were only 12.5 points from a COC Tournament title.
Nolan is counting on the program’s upward trend to continue.
“We have high expectations for the entire team,” Nolan said. “Our goal is to continue the trend of improvement that we’ve seen over the past couple of years.”
On the girls side, the Lady Tigers will feature experience at five weight classes. Returnees include Millie Waterman, Anna McBroom, Abby Horn, Gabby Shanks and Aara Shade.
Waterman fell one win short of making state last season.
Republic will enter its own Republic Invitational as defending champions. The Tigers tournament trail will take them to the Ft. Zumwalt North Invitational, the Lee’s Summit Holiday Tournament, the Larry Wilkes Invitational in Jenks, Oklahoma, the Columbia Hickman Invitational, its own Republic Invitational and the COC Tournament.
In addition the Lady Tigers will take part in the Jefferson City Invitational and the Capital City Invitational.
