Cassville enjoying best season ever, aiming higher

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

The Cassville wrestling team took a program record six Wildcats to state last year, and if this year’s regular-season success is any indication, the team hopes to beat that record again.

Nathan Fortner, Cassville boys wrestling coach, said the team has put together its strongest season during his tenure and is entering the Class 2, District 3 Tournament, at Buffalo High School on Friday and Saturday, focused on daily improvement and effort.

“I think the season has gone really well,” Fortner said. “It is the best season we’ve had since I’ve been here. We went 12-1 in duels and placed in seven out of eight big-time tournaments. We’ve focused on continually getting better every day and stacking good days.”

Fortner said the program sets both team and individual goals at the start of the season, with seniors helping define this year’s targets.

“We always fill out goals at the beginning, three individual and three team,” Fortner said. “I met with the seniors and we talked about what we wanted our team goals to be, and they came up with three really good ones.”

Fortner said those goals included major benchmarks the program has yet to reach.

“They said an undefeated dual season, conference champs and state champs,” Fortner said. “We would have won all 13 duals but had some kids out for injuries and sickness, so the one we lost as to a team we had beaten earlier in the season. We took second at conference, and the state champs goal is still to be determined.”

Fortner said the coaching staff also meets with each grade level about personal objectives.

“I told them it’s our job as a coaching staff to help them reach their individual goals, and that usually helps with the team goals,” Fortner said. “I’ve seen a lot of growth top to bottom through the lineup, and we’re peaking right now.”

As a team, the team mantra centers on daily gains.

“We talk about Kaizen, which is continuous improvement every day,” Fortner said. “We’ve told them to find one thing you can get better at every day, and they’ve bought into it.”

Cassville will bring 12 wrestlers in the varsity lineup to districts, with two weight classes open.

“One is injured and one didn’t make the scratch weight, so we’re open at two weights, but the rest have a chance to advance to state,” Fortner said. “Some top-seeded guys should be Boni Lopez at 106, Rylen Holman at 126, Kole Fry at 132, Kellen Weldy at 138, Braydyn Sizemore at 150, Tristan Thompson at 165, Colton Roark at 175, Zach Myers at 190, Riley James at 215 and Ethan Sizemore at heavyweight.”

Fortner said two others could outperform their projected seeds.

“Logan Parsons and Tyler Hodge, at 144 and 157, are probably in the six, seven or eight seed range, but they have a shot to upset some kids,” Fortner said. “They’re close to the guys above them in wrestling ability.”

During the late-season break from competition — 15 days between the last dual and districts — Fortner said the team has increased its effort.

“We’re working really hard right now,” Fortner said. “Since January, we’ve had morning open mat from 6-7 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for extra technique, video and weight management, and a lot of guys are showing up consistently.”

Fortner said many wrestlers are effectively doubling their sessions.

“They’re still practicing after school every day, so they’re hitting two-a-days,” Fortner said. “They’re eating it up.”

Looking at the district field, Fortner said one program stands at the top, with several others grouped closely behind.

“Seneca is the top tier, and I think we’re right behind them,” Fortner said. “Then, you have Owensville, Osage, Sullivan, Nevada and others grouped together, and Monett has some good kids this year.”

Asked about state-qualifier goals after setting a program high last season, Fortner said he wants every wrestler to have the opportunity.

“I would like to take all 12,” Fortner said. “I want them to wrestle as hard as they can and see what happens.”

Fortner said effort, not bracket-watching, is the team’s competitive focus.

“If we take six, I’m okay with it as long as we give max effort, and if we take 12, I’m good with that too as long as we give max effort,” Fortner said. “We’re going to focus on not looking through the bracket and not looking past anybody.”

Fortner said the coaching staff is teaching wrestlers to narrow their attention even further during matches.

“I don’t want them focused only on the match in front of them, I want them focused on the position,” Fortner said. “Start neutral and get the takedown, win the bottom position and win the top position.”

Fortner said the team’s concentration level has improved entering the postseason.

“Right now they’re pretty laser focused,” Fortner said. “I’m excited to see what they can do.”

Fortner also praised the team’s internal culture and how upperclassmen are mentoring younger wrestlers.

“It’s a really good team atmosphere, and they get along and root each other on,” Fortner said. “This year, instead of just going by weight, I’ve been pairing seniors with other wrestlers in chain wrestling sessions, and they’re able to show tips and tricks that help.”

Fortner said several underclassmen have made noticeable gains through extra work.

“My juniors work hard daily, and it’s showing,” Fortner said. “They’re beating guys they weren’t supposed to beat on paper and making big jumps.”

Fortner said he believes the team has not yet received full statewide recognition.

“The ranking series hasn’t caught up with us,” Fortner said. “We’ll fly under the radar and hopefully they notice us in about two weeks.”