By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Neosho has defending Class 3 170-pound state champion Eli Zar back to help the Wildcats chase after a 16th straight season with a team trophy from State.
Zar, Collyn Kivett (160), Fisher Butler (113) and Jon Chrisco (126), who all medaled at State last season, headline a Wildcats lineup that is expected to be deep.
Coach Jeremy Phillips likes his team’s mix of veterans and youth.
“We should have more depth than we’ve had for a while,” Phillips said. “The numbers should be good, but the quality of that quantity is what is most exciting.
“We should be solid throughout, but will need to spread our strongest, most experienced wrestlers out,” he added. “We should however have decent consistency and depth within our lineup. I know we will have some young starters and with that will come some early challenges, but I’m confident we will embrace, overcome, and learn from our youth. The key for the younger guys through the most experienced in our lineup is always with them to take ownership for their growth and the goals they/we have set.”
Phillips is counting on his wrestlers to reach their potential by going through the same steps so many of their predecessors went through.
“My expectations for our room will be to get our team to learn quickly to trust in our process, themselves and our team,” Phillips said. “This is our motto this season for a reason. We need to get this group of solid seniors through to our very talented freshmen to believe in our system of training progression and be willing to invest in the work to maximize our potential.”
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Other returning lettermen are Nico Olivares (heavyweight), Gabe Mabrey (170), Ulysses DeLeon (195), Bostyn Patterson (145) and Jack Lankford (132). Trey Hardin and Josh Sheuerman also return.
Freshmen who have medaled at the Missouri USA Youth State level include Gabriel Busteed, Everson Tomlinson, Carter Howard, Chase Kivett, Skiler Shideler and Kaymon Rhone and Dayton Kivett.
“We should have a large freshman class that brings numbers and talent,” Phillips said. “They are a hard working group with good mat time experience.”
Phillips was pleased with his wrestlers’ off-season training.
“A handful put solid time into freestyle wrestling,” Phillips said. “Summer was encouraging, as we had a large group of our junior high school team participate in our S&C program in June and July and then 30 plus attended Team Camp at Mizzou, and several again attended an annual camp I hosted in July.
“The investments for our off-season wrestlers in the fall was good, as well,” he added. “There are some that have made the most of all their opportunities and I’m very excited to see them reap the fruits of their labor.”
