Cubs wrestling rounds into district shape

By Jared Lankford [email protected]

As the wrestling season winds down to its conclusion, Monett is preparing to take the next step on the season.

Coming into the year, the team set season goals of finishing higher in the Big 8 standings than the 2024-25 season, and working on having finalists at every tournament, not just placers.

“I think this season we had had at least one or two finalists at every tournament,” said Ben Hohensee, Monett coach. “We have met nearly all of our goals and improved 10-fold over last year. Right now, we are focused on getting the guys to reach their peak performance.”

The Cubs fell just short of their goal at the Big 8 Conference tournament, but Hohensee said that the result was misleading.

Monett only had 10 out of 12 wrestlers and finished fourth as a team, just 10 points short of third and on the heels of Cassville for second.

“We were right there where we wanted to be,” Hohensee said. “With only 10 guys, I wasn’t upset. Last year, we only had three All-Conference wrestlers. This year, we had seven.”

The Cubs coaches have driven home the point to the team to let their max effort all hang out and to finish the season on an odd number, which would mean a victory in their final match.

“These guys are letting us push them to get better,” Hohensee said. “We had a Monday practice when maybe I wasn’t in the best mood and the practice wasn’t the way we wanted, and we went hard on the team. Afterward, we talked it out and then put together the best four practices of the year. The winter sports season is tough. Just from a length of season standpoint and to have these guys come back and lock in has shown their growth.”

Monett has just one lone senior in Logan Cole.

Cole lost a heartbreaking match that prohibited a state medal last year, but he has embraced the leadership role this year and is looking to finish strong.

“As the only senior, he didn’t have a choice but to embrace a leadership role,” Hohensee said. “I think he underestimates how good he can be. As a coach, it is our job to help them see how high the ceiling is. I think Logan is starting to believe and the effort is getting there. I just want him to finish strong and have no regrets.”

Hohensee also noted Henry Reed and his development this season.

“He is such a selfless wrestler,” Hohensee said. “He truly wants to get better. Last year he was a 50/50 wrestler in every match. This year, he is 30-6. After every match, whether win, lose or draw, he is asking us what he could do better. In practice, he wants to be tested, and then we see those things we teach him play out in a match. I can’t say enough about how good a kid he is.”

The best thing about all of the Cubs wrestlers is that there is still room to grow, and that as long as they keep listening to the coaching, the team will continue to improve.

As the district tournament approaches a new goal for Monett has been set.

“I think a minimum of three state qualifiers is our baseline,” said Hohensee. “Less than three and I’ll feel like I’ve failed. If things break right and we compete, we could have five or six make state. We want to finish on an odd number and be wrestling our best at the end.”