2021-22 Winter Preview: Webb City Wrestling

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By Brennan Stebbins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

There will be a lot of new faces for Webb City’s wrestling program this winter.

Of the 11 Cardinal wrestlers who competed in last year’s district tournament, six of them were seniors, and that group included some decorated athletes.

Seniors Roger Carranco and Jacob Ott both qualified for the Class 3 state tournament and helped the Cardinals finish 28th in the team standings. Carranco lost in the quarterfinals and wrestled back through the consolation bracket to finish in sixth place at 182 pounds. He finished the year 30-10, was a four-year varsity wrestler and continued his career at the University of Central Missouri. And Ott, at 195 pounds, advanced to the semifinals and earned fourth place, finishing with a 29-8 record. He was a three-year starter.

That district lineup also included Jackson Ward, Bobby Pearish, Rafe Mackey and Brayden Hollingsworth, who went 23-11 at 160 pounds and advanced to the sectional. Ward was another sectional qualifier.

“We have to replace Roger, Ott and Hollingsworth from last year,” Webb City coach Larron Hurst said. “They were very solid in their high school career for us. Their leadership will be missed.”

The team’s seven returning varsity wrestlers will be led by senior Brantley Carter and sophomore Colt Taylor. Carter only wrestled in seven matches at 160 last season but was 31-15 as a sophomore at 138. Taylor went 17-17 last year and advanced to the sectional at 120 pounds.

“I believe that the leadership role will be led by Brantley and Colt,” Hurst said.

Dominic Boles, a sophomore at 132 pounds, was the only other sectional qualifier who wasn’t a senior.

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“The biggest question mark will be our upper weights, 160 to 220,” Hurst said. “We graduated those guys. Those were multiple year varsity kids that did some real good things for us through their career. Seeing who steps up to compete for those spots, that will be key for us. Staying healthy will be important as well this coming year.”

Hurst said the team has a couple of wrestlers he thinks will be in the mix in February, and he expects junior Hunter England and sophomore Kole Carr to have good seasons. England was 14-6 at 145 pounds and Karr earned 11 wins at 285 last year.

Sophomore Nathan Jacks returns after going 8-7 at 152 pounds and Hurst said he also expects him to have a good season after a solid offseason.

Freshman Jake Cottingham is a newcomer who could earn his way into the lineup.

Hurst said it’s too early to tell where in the lineup the Cardinals will be strongest but the roster will feature several sophomores and juniors with varsity experience.

“We want to get better each time we are on the mat,” he said. “We want to compete. We want to compete in the room, at duals and at tournaments. We want to put ourselves in a position for success. The leadership will be a key factor in it. How the kids respond to their peers. Having a solid work ethic will be vital to our success.”

Webb City will open the season at home against Joplin on Nov. 30 and will compete in tournaments in Carl Junction, Harrisonville, Monett, Fenton and Paola, Kansas.

“We’re just looking to improve each time we step foot on the mat,” Hurst said. “We have a good nucleus of wrestlers that if they peak at the right time could have an exciting February.”

Webb City should have between five and seven wrestlers on the girls team. The Cardinals had four in last year’s district tournament, with sophomore Zailey Clemons (7 wins) at 107, senior Kylee Bard (3) at 143, junior Morgan Brannon (8) at 151 and junior Carsen Cartright (5) at 159.

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Clemons will return for her fifth year of wrestling.

“She should have a good year,” Hurst said.

Freshman Laney Taylor also brings five years of experience and “she could have a good year as well,” Hurst said.

The girls will also open with Joplin on Nov. 30 and are slated for tournaments in Frontenac, Kansas; Carl Junction, Harrisonville, Seneca, Fenton and Paola.

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