By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
With Lukas Walker being promoted as Carl Junction’s preseason cover boy, he gives coach Mike Frizzell’s program a much different look at the top than former Bulldogs greats Jesse Cassatt and Jackson White.
Cassatt was 49-0 and the Class 3 182-pound state champion in 2020 and was 36-3 and a 195 state champ in 2019. White was 47-1 and a 182 state runner-up in 2020.
Walker was at 106 while compiling a 34-5 mark last season.
“We’ve had a string of some strong wrestlers at the heavier weights,” Frizzell said. “That may flip for us this year. But you never know where we’re going to be the strongest, as we have individuals throughout the lineup help us.”
The Bulldogs welcome back six returnees who had at least 20 wins last season.
Walker finished his freshman season fifth at State.
“In a regular format, he probably would have been wrestling for third place,” Frizzell said. “Lukas was 4-1 at State with four pins. But the best he could do was fifth after he lost to the eventual state champion in the quarterfinal round.”
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Frizzell is confident of Walker’s chances to contend for a state title whether he stays at 106 or jumps up to 113.
“We will look at lineups on Trackwrestling.com to see where people are at and see where he has the best chance,” Frizzell said. “I look for Lukas to be on top of the podium this year. He is a great leader and an extremely smart wrestler. He does a lot of work on his own. His dad is a big influence on him with his training. His dad used to train in special forces, so he’s putting him through good workouts — they’re killers.”
Dex Merrell is a sophomore who will be at 145 or 152. He was 29-14 as a freshman.
“Dex had bad luck in the District finals last season and almost broke his ankle,” Frizzell said. “He battled through the injury at Sectionals, but couldn’t really move and lost a couple matches I think he would have won, if he had been healthy.”
Max Mathews will likely be at 120, after going 26-17 last season. Frizzell reports he had a strong off-season.
“Max and Lukas are workout partners and Max has put as much time in as Lukas has,” Frizzell said.
Cadyn Bollinger was 25-14 last season and is expected to be at 195 or 220. He suffered a torn ACL in April, but after a strong rehab had joined the Bulldogs’ football team late in its season.
“Cadyn has done a great job coming back,” Frizzell said. “He’s ahead of schedule and looks really good. He has packed on some muscle.”
Kam Bennett was 21-20 last season and Chance Benford 20-19. Benford will be at 170 or 182 and Bennett will be a heavyweight.
Freshman Tony Stewart is a prized prospect at 160 or 170.
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“He’s been a multi-time state champion in youth programs,” Frizzell said. “His experience level is already there. He’s extremely athletic and strong. I look for him to have a great high school career. He can go deep in the state tournament this season.”
Frizzell adds more freshmen may help Carl Junction.
“We have freshmen coming in with plenty of experience who could jump right into the lineup and help us fill some holes,” he said. “We’re going to be young, but as far as experienced wrestlers we’re going to be heavy in that area.”
