BOYS TEAM
Carl Junction boys wrestling had a strong season last winter qualifying eight wrestlers to the state tournament and placing sixth as a team.
Four of those wrestlers in Sam Melton, Max Matthews, Brenden Berry and Dexter Merrell graduated.
“That group of young men, like the class before them, have set a standard of excellence in our program,” Carl Junction head coach Mike Frizzell. “There is a ‘believe’ factor in our room that took a few years to culture. I think these younger kids now want to continue what was started a couple of years ago.”
Carter Foglesong was runner-up at 113 pounds last season after placing fourth two years ago. He returns looking to wrestle in the 113 to 126-pound range.
“Carter is a hard worker on and off the mat. He has achieved so much in his career at the state and national level. He was caught behind Lukas Walker and Sam Melton as a freshman, or I think he would have been on the podium as a freshman as well. Those guys spent hours pushing each other in the practice room and holding each other accountable,” Frizzell said. “Carter needs to finish his career on top. He had the opportunity to do so last year and just made one mistake that cost him a state championship. He avenged that loss a couple months later by tech fall in the first period at the State Freestyle Championships. I expect Carter to be one of the most exciting wrestlers to watch in 2024-2025 season.”
Aaron Dillingham returns for his sophomore season after placing sixth at 150 pounds. He will be 150-165 this season
“Aaron has had a lot of success as a youth wrestler winning multiple state titles. He works as hard as anyone in the room and has a drive to compete that is unmatched. He’s a dangerous wrestler and once he is firing on all cylinders he is going to be a force to be reconned with,” Frizzell said. “Aaron took some time off after state and hit the weight room hard. He has also packed on the muscle over the summer and is anxious to get rolling into this season. He now has the confidence in himself after placing last season and I think that will be a driving factor for him.”
Tony Stewart had a strong junior season that saw him post a 47-5 record and place fifth at 175.
“Tony had a great Junior season, but came up just short in the semi-finals to the eventual champion,” Frizzel said. “I see Tony using that moment as a driving factor in this year’s campaign for a state title. He works hard and manages his matches so that he gives himself an opportunity to win those close matches. He won a few big matches over the summer which helped him gain back his confidence. I look for Tony to be on top of that podium this year.”
Marcus Lopez-Durman will be at 175 to 190 after qualifying at 165 pounds last season.
“Marcus is one the most talented athletes in our school,” Frizzell said. “He has the natural ability to frustrate his opponents with his scrambling style. If he can learn to always stay in the match mentally, he could be unstoppable. Sometimes it’s ‘all or nothing’ mentality that gets him into trouble in matches.”
Zane Gunnett (sophomore, 113-120), Camdon Kunkle (junior, 126-132), Nick Foulk (junior, 144-150), Kale Trosper (junior 150-157) and Blake Starks (junior, 285) also return for Carl Junction.
“Camdon Kunkle has really worked hard in the weight room and on the mat these last several months,” Frizzell said. “He had a great dual tournament at the Summer Scuffle in Kansas City this summer against some very tough competition. Camdon is starving for that success and it’s now right at his finger tips to execute.”
The freshman class includes Landon Fields (106), Jax Merrell (132-138) and Jackson Yaple (126-132). They all have qualified for state competitions at the youth level.
“Yaple has really developed physically and mentally in the sport over the past year,” Frizzell said. “He has some great work out partners in Foglesong, Kunkle and Merrell pushing him every day. He can be a bully on the mat, which can be a bit intimidating at times.”
The returning wrestlers combined with a strong freshman class hope to keep up Carl Junction’s run of success at the state level.
“I think the strength we have is the culture that the previous teams have left behind for these kids to carry on the torch. There is a level of commitment and a hunger for a state trophy this group of kids have that pushes them to have the ‘One More’ mentality,” Frizzell said. “I would like to see these young men continue to grow in the sport and take the lessons they learn on the mat to help them in life situations. This sport teaches a lot of humility, dedication, drive, determination, and overall respect. If we do the things we are capable of doing and stay healthy I can see this team competing for a top four state trophy.”
GIRLS TEAM
The Carl Junction girls return two wrestlers this season with seven total out.
“Coming into this position, my goal was to begin growing the program,” Carl Junction head coach Ela Winder said. “I hoped to have five girls come out; we have seven girls out this season. I love that I am charged with building a team of strong, confident young women for the Carl Junction Girls Wrestling program.”
The two returning wrestlers are Jazmyne Blayne (sophomore, 125) and Bella Montez (junior, 130).
“Both Bella and Jazmyne worked hard during the Summer Open Mat,” Winder said. “They are both multi-sport athletes and worked this summer to improve in all their sports. They are really stepping up and showing our newcomers a newfound work ethic.”
Newcomers will round out the rest of the roster.
“We have some talented newcomers this season who I believe will make a big impact,” Winder said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what they bring to the mat, not only in terms of skill but also in attitude and work ethic. A few of these athletes already show a natural talent and athleticism that, with the right guidance, could translate into an impressive performance. Others may stand out because of their grit and determination; they might not have the most experience, but they’re ready to put in the work, which can be just as valuable in a sport like wrestling.”
Winder pointed to Resel Rehobson (junior. 135) and Kiley Spencer (junior, 140) as two key newcomers.
“Resel Rehobson and Kiley Spencer are powerhouses,” Winder said. “I expect them to contribute not only through their own individual achievements but also by pushing our returning wrestlers and challenging everyone to step up. These newcomers have the potential to shake things up, and that energy is exactly what we need to build a strong team dynamic this season.”
Freshman Aaliyah Maduro has experience at the middle school level and will look to make an immediate varsity impact.
“Looking at our roster, even though we’re a very new team with only two returning wrestlers, there are already some clear strengths that make me excited for this season. First and foremost, this group has a lot of enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. For a new team, having that willingness to work hard and absorb as much as possible is invaluable. Our returning wrestlers bring experience and leadership, setting a solid example for the newcomers to follow,” Winder said. “This team also has great potential for growth. Each wrestler starts with a clean slate, which means they’re open to building strong fundamentals and developing a style that works for them. That gives us a unique opportunity to grow steadily as the season progresses. The fresh energy, combined with the leadership from our experienced wrestlers, creates a team atmosphere where everyone is pushing each other to get better. It’s going to be exciting to see just how far this group can go together.”
Success will go beyond the wins and losses according to Winder.
“A successful wrestling season for our team isn’t about wins or medals—although those are always nice,” Winder said. “For me, success means seeing each wrestler improve, both individually and as a teammate. I’d like to see every athlete set personal goals, push themselves in training, and make progress on those goals, whether it’s improving technique, endurance, resilience, and mental toughness. Building a positive team culture is also essential: I want to see our wrestlers support each other, show respect, and represent themselves, their families, our team, our school, and our community with good sportsmanship. If we can walk away from this season with each wrestler feeling proud of their growth and the team dynamic being stronger, I’d consider that a successful season. Of course, performing well in meets will always be amazing, but the real success comes from how we grow together as a team and develop as athletes and individuals.”