GIRLS TEAM
The Waynesville girls team has some key holes to fill due to graduation, but is looking to have a full lineup according to head coach Maria Duncan.
“We aim to have a full lineup, including some promising athletes on the junior varsity squad,” Duncan said. “We have big shoes to fill, given the recent graduation of standout wrestlers.” Josie Moody (two-time state qualifier), Maya Duncan (state qualifier) and Mekenzie Moffett (state placer) are among the graduated wrestlers.
“Their achievements reflect the potential of our team,” Duncan said. “I feel privileged to have coached athletes not only in their athletic pursuits but also in their academic goals.”
Four state qualifiers in Isabella Lemmond (junior, 235), Yisel Perez (senior, 190), Haylee Fort (senior, 145) and Dakota Nix (sophomore, 125) return. Lemmond, Perez and Fort are all multi-time state qualifiers.
Senior Kamden Raines, Gabriela Hoag, and Josseline Galvan along with juniors , Zetalyn Mansapit and Eve Smith also return as upperclassmen. The returning sophomores include Brooklyn Zamora, Destany Oster, Emily Babcock, and Mason Bentley.
The freshmen are showing great promise led by Addison Brown who competed with the Missouri National Team at Fargo this summer. Riley Jones, Isabella Torres, Audrina Sosa, and Karina Narcotta are also freshmen with valuable expereince.
Duncan is also eager to see the impact of newcomers including Sariah Horsey (junior), Alexa Fink (sophomore), Emma Smith (freshman), Krystal Sosh (freshman), Katherine Novakoski (freshman), Mercy Bin-Walee (freshman), and Eulalia Moynihan (freshman).
“The strengths of our team lie in the mentorship provided by our veterans to the freshmen and sophomores,” Duncan said. “The unity we build as a team sets the tone for the season and drives the expectation of hard work and determination in our quest for podium placements. Success may look different for each member of our team, but this diversity is what makes us unique and defines what we leave on the mat. We aim to continue growing alongside the sister schools in our conference. We are looking forward to challenging matches and expect nothing less. With depth as our advantage to include a strong community behind us, we are looking forward to a rewarding season for the Waynesville Tigers.”
BOYS TEAM
Waynesville boys wrestling returns a core of wrestlers with varsity experience this season.
“Strengths would be that most of the returning wrestlers have had some sort of varsity experience, and that overall all of the athletes are eager to learn and contribute to the program,” Waynesville head coach Lucas Smith said.
The returners identified by Smith include: Isaiah Santos (sophomore, 106), Mason Zamora (junior, 126), Dian Justus (junior, 138), Jonah Manuel (junior, 144), Carson Sutphin (junior, 150), Aiden Maust (junior), Aiden Smith (senior), Braylon Scott (junior), Joesph Camelin (junior, 190), Kaylin Smith (senior, 215) and Cayden Ousler (senior, 285).
“To be a successful season, I would like to see growth in all of our athletes as they work towards their goals and the program’s goals,” Smith said.
