Cassville sets sights on first team trophy at state

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

Cassville’s boys wrestling team enters the winter eyeing major achievements behind a veteran core and a senior class intent on finishing its run with a statement.

Fortner said the program starts each year by setting expectations, and this group wasted no time establishing high targets.

“Every year, I have the team fill out team and individual goals for the upcoming season,” Fortner said. “I met with the seniors to go over our team goals for this season and they are setting some high goals, which I love. This year for team goals, the seniors put down conference champs, undefeated dual season, and a team state championship.”

The Wildcats, who took first place in their 9-team home tournament on Saturday with five first-place finishers, will lean heavily on a long list of returning varsity contributors. Fortner said state-caliber athletes aanchor the squad, giving the Wildcats both depth and proven success.

“Tristan Thompson, Colton Roark, and Riley James, all seniors, return with a long list of state accolades, including several state placers, and Colton returns as the state champ,” he said. “Jesse James, a junior, is a returning state qualifier for us this season. Ethan Sizemore, one of our senior leaders, is returning as a state qualifier from the previous season.

“I’ve got a tough senior class that has goals of doing special things this year, it will be on them to lead their team to achieve those goals.”

Fortner said experience runs deep through the roster, with upperclassmen and sophomores alike returning to familiar roles.

“Boni Lopez, a junior, is a varsity returning starter,” he said. “Rylen Holman, also a junior, is a varsity returning starter. Kole Fry is a junior and looking to return to the varsity lineup. Logan Parsons and Braydyn Sizemore are sophomores who wrestled in the varsity lineup as freshmen. 

“Carson Hutchens and Brylar Berank are also returning and have spent time in the varsity lineup as freshmen. Mason Rillstone, a junior, returns after wrestling a full season in the varsity lineup last season.”

The program also has new faces pushing to break into the varsity lineup. Fortner said the team added seniors with prior experience and freshmen with strong youth backgrounds.

“We have several newcomers wrestling this season, but the ones with past wrestling experience are seniors Josh Crawford and Noah Uria, who are working hard in the room to break our lineup,” he said. “We also have freshmen in Kellen Weldy, Tyler Hodge and Tyler Annecharico who have been wrestling at a young age and have youth accolades that they are bringing into their high school campaign.

“I have high expectations for these freshmen and they have a good group of upperclassmen to show them the way to success.”

Leadership will be a cornerstone for Cassville, and Fortner said the senior class has the experience and motivation to guide the team.

“Our senior leaders will play a big role in this year’s team success,” he said. “They have all been varsity starters since their freshmen year and have several accolades throughout their high school campaign.”

Leading the team will be seniors Colton Roark, Tristan Thompson and Riley James — a trio affectionately known as “murderer’s row” wrestling in back-to-back-to-back weights in their past three years. Fortner said Sizemore, as a state qualifier last year, will also play a hefty role in leadership.

“They have put in the work throughout their high school careers and this year they’re going to top it off with individual and team success,” Fortner said. “They are seasoned, and they want tough competition.”

Still, mental growth will be a major focus, particularly in high-pressure match situations.

“Confidence and belief when they get in those tough moments will be key,” Fortner said. “Some of them are there, but we have several who have never been in those big moments.”

The season opened in front of the home crowd at the Cassville Boys Tournament. Fortner said throughout the rest of the year, the Wildcats will face a difficult, competitive slate, but that challenge is intentional and designed to prepare them for February.

“We have a tough schedule by design,” he said. “I believe it challenges us to prepare us for postseason wrestling.”

A shared history also defines this group, as many seniors have competed alongside each other since early childhood.

“We have a group of kids who are now seniors that have been wrestling together since they were little kids,” he said. “They are a close group of friends that have wrestled from their youth in big tournaments until now.”

With the season underway, Fortner said the Wildcats are ready to compete and expect to bring plenty of excitement to the mat.

“We can’t wait to get after it this year,” he said. “They’re going to be exciting to watch.”

Results from Cassville Boys Tournament on Saturday include:

120: Boni Lopez (3-0) placed 1st and scored 14.5 team points.

• Round 2 – Boni Lopez 3-0 won by tech fall over Gabe Watson (Fayetteville High School) 2-1 (TF-1.5 2:31 (15-0))

• Round 3 – Boni Lopez 3-0 won by tech fall over Noah Uria 1-2 (TF-1.5 1:27 (15-0))

• Round 5 – Boni Lopez 3-0 won by tech fall over Antony Serrano (Green Forest High School) 0-3 (TF-1.5 1:41 (16-0))

120: Noah Uria (1-2) placed 3rd.

• Round 1 – Gabe Watson (Fayetteville High School) 2-1 won by fall over Noah Uria 1-2 (Fall 3:18)

• Round 2 – Noah Uria 1-2 won by fall over Antony Serrano (Green Forest High School) 0-3 (Fall 2:39)

• Round 3 – Boni Lopez 3-0 won by tech fall over Noah Uria 1-2 (TF-1.5 1:27 (15-0))

126: Trevor Garnett (3-2) placed 4th and scored 11.0 team points.

• Round 1 – Odai Al hameli (Fayetteville High School) 3-2 won by fall over Trevor Garnett 3-2 (Fall 5:21)

• Round 2 – Trevor Garnett 3-2 won by fall over Nhu Nguyen (Fayetteville High School) 0-4 (Fall 3:23)

• Round 3 – Trevor Garnett 3-2 won by decision over Aidan McAtee (Reeds Spring) 2-3 (Dec 8-3)

• Round 4 – Chance Wilderman (Frontenac HS) 4-1 won by tech fall over Trevor Garnett 3-2 (TF-1.5 2:23 (17-2))

• Round 6 – Kaysen Morrison (Frontenac HS) 1-3 won by no contest over Trevor Garnett 3-2 (NC)

• Round 7 – Trevor Garnett 3-2 won by fall over Kaysen Morrison (Frontenac HS) 1-3 (Fall 1:03)

126: Michael Winchell (0-4) placed 4th.

• Round 2 – Trace Messick (Vinita) 4-1 won by fall over Michael Winchell 0-4 (Fall 2:08)

• Round 3 – Kaysen Morrison (Frontenac HS) 1-3 won by fall over Michael Winchell 0-4 (Fall 4:00)

• Round 4 – Jared Hooe (Shiloh Christian School) 4-0 won by fall over Michael Winchell 0-4 (Fall 1:43)

• Round 6 – Aidan McAtee (Reeds Spring) 2-3 won by no contest over Michael Winchell 0-4 (NC)

• Round 7 – Aidan McAtee (Reeds Spring) 2-3 won by fall over Michael Winchell 0-4 (Fall 1:38)

132: Rylen Holman (5-1) placed 2nd and scored 22.0 team points.

• Round 1 – Rylen Holman 5-1 won by fall over Brayden Colon (Reeds Spring) 3-3 (Fall 2:37)

• Round 2 – Carson Osburn (Vinita) 5-2 won by fall over Rylen Holman 5-1 (Fall 1:55)

• Round 3 – Rylen Holman 5-1 won by fall over Jaxon Stout (Monett) 3-3 (Fall 5:28)

• Round 4 – Rylen Holman 5-1 won by fall over Kaidin Walden (Frontenac HS) 1-4 (Fall 1:12)

• Round 5 – Rylen Holman 5-1 won by fall over Than Htay (Green Forest High School) 0-5 (Fall 0:28)

• Round 6 – Rylen Holman 5-1 won by no contest over Aaron Crook (Vinita) 3-4 (NC)

• Round 7 – Rylen Holman 5-1 won by fall over Aaron Crook (Vinita) 3-4 (Fall 3:45)

132: Hayden Jereczek (0-4) placed 12th.

• Round 1 – Hunter Daniels (Fayetteville High School) 1-4 won by fall over Hayden Jereczek 0-4 (Fall 0:40)

• Round 2 – Dante Ungene (Monett) 3-2 won by fall over Hayden Jereczek 0-4 (Fall 0:48)

• Round 4 – Kruz Pickle (Frontenac HS) 5-0 won by fall over Hayden Jereczek 0-4 (Fall 1:01)

• Round 5 – Aaron Crook (Vinita) 3-4 won by fall over Hayden Jereczek 0-4 (Fall 0:19)

138: Kellen Weldy (3-1) placed 2nd and scored 16.0 team points.

• Round 1 – Kellen Weldy 3-1 won by fall over Carter Hubbard (Fayetteville High School) 0-3 (Fall 1:36)

• Round 3 – Kellen Weldy 3-1 won by decision over Kyle Sloan (Frontenac HS) 2-2 (Dec 17-14)

• Championship Bracket – Kellen Weldy 3-1 won by fall over Kole Fry 2-3 (Fall 4:54)

• 1st Place Match – Kade Adams (Monett) 5-0 won by decision over Kellen Weldy 3-1 (Dec 13-11)

138: Kole Fry (2-3) placed 4th.

• Round 1 – Kade Adams (Monett) 5-0 won by fall over Kole Fry 2-3 (Fall 5:47)

• Round 2 – Kole Fry 2-3 won by fall over Ronnie Jo Clouse (Reeds Spring) 2-2 (Fall 3:51)

• Round 3 – Kole Fry 2-3 won by fall over Robert Tucker Russell (Shiloh Christian School) 1-4 (Fall 2:12)

• Championship Bracket – Kellen Weldy 3-1 won by fall over Kole Fry 2-3 (Fall 4:54)

• 3rd Place Match – Kyle Sloan (Frontenac HS) 2-2 won by fall over Kole Fry 2-3 (Fall 2:18)

144: Logan Parsons (4-1) placed 2nd and scored 20.0 team points.

• Round 1 – Logan Parsons 4-1 won by fall over Nav White (Fayetteville High School) 2-2 (Fall 3:44)

• Round 2 – Logan Parsons 4-1 won by fall over Jaxon Eastin (Vinita) 1-5 (Fall 0:59)

• Round 3 – Logan Parsons 4-1 won by fall over Chris Spears (Monett) 3-2 (Fall 1:18)

• Championship Bracket – Logan Parsons 4-1 won by fall over Jaoquin Acosta (Fayetteville High School) 1-3 (Fall 1:09)

• 1st Place Match – Kadyn Allerton (Reeds Spring) 4-0 won by fall over Logan Parsons 4-1 (Fall 1:52)

144: Zaiden Hall (0-3) placed 7th.

• Round 1 – Kadyn Allerton (Reeds Spring) 4-0 won by fall over Zaiden Hall 0-3 (Fall 1:11)

• Round 2 – Jaoquin Acosta (Fayetteville High School) 1-3 won by fall over Zaiden Hall 0-3 (Fall 1:22)

• Consolation Bracket – Jaxon Eastin (Vinita) 1-5 won by fall over Zaiden Hall 0-3 (Fall 5:02)

157: Dylan Sorenson (1-4) placed 12th.

• Round 1 – Travion Rickey (Vinita) 4-4 won by fall over Dylan Sorenson 1-4 (Fall 1:05)

• Round 2 – Wyait Polen (Frontenac HS) 5-1 won by fall over Dylan Sorenson 1-4 (Fall 0:44)

• Round 4 – Braydyn Sizemore 5-1 won by fall over Dylan Sorenson 1-4 (Fall 0:19)

• Round 5 – Jayden Allan (Vinita) 3-4 won by fall over Dylan Sorenson 1-4 (Fall 2:22)

157:: Josh Crawford (4-2) placed 4th.

• Round 1 – Josh Crawford 4-2 won by fall over Patrick Bell (Fayetteville High School) 2-4 (Fall 1:49)

• Round 2 – Josh Crawford 4-2 won by fall over Robin Montin (Vinita) 0-5 (Fall 3:06)

• Round 3 – Josh Crawford 4-2 won by decision over William Flowers (Fayetteville High School) 4-2 (Dec 8-7)

• Round 4 – Josh Crawford 4-2 won by fall over Draven Davis (Reeds Spring) 1-4 (Fall 0:36)

• Round 5 – Scott Sloan (Frontenac HS) 6-0 won by decision over Josh Crawford 4-2 (Dec 8-1)

• Round 6 – Wyait Polen (Frontenac HS) 5-1 won by no contest over Josh Crawford 4-2 (NC)

• Round 7 – Wyait Polen (Frontenac HS) 5-1 won by fall over Josh Crawford 4-2 (Fall 1:38)

157: Braydyn Sizemore (5-1) placed 2nd and scored 22.0 team points.

• Round 1 – Braydyn Sizemore 5-1 won by fall over Wyait Polen (Frontenac HS) 5-1 (Fall 5:58)

• Round 3 – Braydyn Sizemore 5-1 won by fall over Jayden Allan (Vinita) 3-4 (Fall 1:37)

• Round 4 – Braydyn Sizemore 5-1 won by fall over Dylan Sorenson 1-4 (Fall 0:19)

• Round 5 – Braydyn Sizemore 5-1 won by fall over Travion Rickey (Vinita) 4-4 (Fall 1:58)

• Round 6 – Scott Sloan (Frontenac HS) 6-0 won by no contest over Braydyn Sizemore 5-1 (NC)

• Round 7 – Scott Sloan (Frontenac HS) 6-0 won by major decision over Braydyn Sizemore 5-1 (MD 10-1)

165: Tristan Thompson (5-0) placed 1st and scored 26.0 team points.

• Round 1 – Tristan Thompson 5-0 won by fall over Drew Long (Frontenac HS) 2-3 (Fall 1:19)

• Round 4 – Tristan Thompson 5-0 won by fall over Naruto Langinbelik (Green Forest High School) 1-4 (Fall 1:00)

• Round 5 – Tristan Thompson 5-0 won by fall over Liam Leghari (Fayetteville High School) 3-2 (Fall 1:02)

• Round 6 – Tristan Thompson 5-0 won by fall over Wyatt Reed (Monett) 2-3 (Fall 0:49)

• Round 7 – Tristan Thompson 5-0 won by fall over Cason Irvin (Shiloh Christian School) 4-1 (Fall 1:46)

175: Colton Roark (6-0) placed 1st and scored 27.5 team points.

• Round 1 – Colton Roark 6-0 won by fall over Wyl Dennis (Fayetteville High School) 4-2 (Fall 0:21)

• Round 2 – Colton Roark 6-0 won by tech fall over Christopher Calhoun (Monett) 3-3 (TF-1.5 2:46 (17-2))

• Round 3 – Colton Roark 6-0 won by fall over Mason Rillstone 4-2 (Fall 0:29)

• Round 4 – Colton Roark 6-0 won by fall over Da Moo (Green Forest High School) 0-5 (Fall 0:16)

• Round 5 – Colton Roark 6-0 won by fall over Casey Jones (Green Forest High School) 1-4 (Fall 1:56)

• Round 6 – Colton Roark 6-0 won by no contest over Alec Douglas (Frontenac HS) 3-1 (NC)

• Round 7 – Colton Roark 6-0 won by fall over Alec Douglas (Frontenac HS) 3-1 (Fall 1:05)

175: Mason Rillstone (4-2) placed 4th.

• Round 1 – Mason Rillstone 4-2 won by tech fall over Christopher Calhoun (Monett) 3-3 (TF-1.5 4:52 (16-1))

• Round 2 – Mason Rillstone 4-2 won by disqualification over Casey Jones (Green Forest High School) 1-4 (DQ)

• Round 3 – Colton Roark 6-0 won by fall over Mason Rillstone 4-2 (Fall 0:29)

• Round 4 – Wyl Dennis (Fayetteville High School) 4-2 won by fall over Mason Rillstone 4-2 (Fall 1:17)

• Round 5 – Mason Rillstone 4-2 won by fall over Da Moo (Green Forest High School) 0-5 (Fall 0:30)

• Round 6 – Mason Rillstone 4-2 won by no contest over Daniel Sang (Green Forest High School) 0-4 (NC)

• Round 7 – Mason Rillstone 4-2 won by fall over Daniel Sang (Green Forest High School) 0-4 (Fall 1:00)

190: Zachary Myers (4-0) placed 1st and scored 24.0 team points.

• Round 2 – Zachary Myers 4-0 won by fall over Rylan Relph (Frontenac HS) 2-2 (Fall 0:39)

• Round 4 – Zachary Myers 4-0 won by fall over Walker Johnson (Fayetteville High School) 0-4 (Fall 0:46)

• Round 5 – Zachary Myers 4-0 won by fall over Logan Cole (Monett) 3-1 (Fall 2:19)

• Round 6 – Zachary Myers 4-0 won by no contest over Henry Reed (Monett) 5-1 (NC)

• Round 7 – Zachary Myers 4-0 won by fall over Henry Reed (Monett) 5-1 (Fall 1:18)

215: Brylar Berank (4-2) placed 4th and scored 15.0 team points.

• Round 2 – Brylar Berank 4-2 won by fall over William Cepeda (Green Forest High School) 0-4 (Fall 0:00)

• Round 3 – Brylar Berank 4-2 won by fall over Tyler Annecharico 2-3 (Fall 2:39)

• Round 4 – Bentley Cardenzana (Reeds Spring) 4-2 won by decision over Brylar Berank 4-2 (Dec 11-9)

• Round 5 – Presley Klingman (Fayetteville High School) 3-3 won by fall over Brylar Berank 4-2 (Fall 3:25)

• Round 7 – Brylar Berank 4-2 won by fall over Andrew Adams (Fayetteville High School) 1-4 (Fall 0:27)

215: Tyler Annecharico (2-3) placed 4th.

• Round 1 – Presley Klingman (Fayetteville High School) 3-3 won by fall over Tyler Annecharico 2-3 (Fall 1:56)

• Round 3 – Brylar Berank 4-2 won by fall over Tyler Annecharico 2-3 (Fall 2:39)

• Round 4 – Tyler Annecharico 2-3 won by fall over William Cepeda (Green Forest High School) 0-4 (Fall 3:16)

• Round 5 – Bentley Cardenzana (Reeds Spring) 4-2 won by fall over Tyler Annecharico 2-3 (Fall 3:56)

• Round 6 – Tyler Annecharico 2-3 won by fall over Andrew Adams (Fayetteville High School) 1-4 (Fall 0:45)

• Round 7 – Tyler Annecharico 2-3 won by no contest over Kade Morrisset () 0-4 (NC)

285: Ethan Sizemore (5-0) placed 1st and scored 26.0 team points.

• Round 1 – Ethan Sizemore 5-0 won by fall over Will Fullbright (Vinita) 3-2 (Fall 1:12)

• Round 2 – Ethan Sizemore 5-0 won by fall over Aidon Ford (Green Forest High School) 1-4 (Fall 0:06)

• Round 3 – Ethan Sizemore 5-0 won by fall over Aiden Tillman (Fayetteville High School) 2-3 (Fall 0:20)

• Championship Bracket – Ethan Sizemore 5-0 won by fall over Gabriel Homewood (Monett) 3-2 (Fall 2:42)

• 1st Place Match – Ethan Sizemore 5-0 won by fall over Will Fullbright (Vinita) 3-2 (Fall 0:32)