By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Buffalo coach Nick Whetzell is looking forward to filling out the lineup card for both his boys and girls teams.
“I am pleased that both lineups should be as full as they have been in some time,” Whetzell said. “Our guys with experience will fill in all those middle (weights), where experience is tougher. I think we can match that with the experience gained last season and being detailed in our preparation.”
The Bison’s returnees are headlined by sophomores Dylan Gonzalez, Tyler Valma, and Lucas Fletcher.
“They are a fun, athletic group that worked hard this off-season,” Whetzell said. “Dylan and Tyler are creative in their wrestling and I enjoy creativity. They make being in the practice room enjoyable, while also knowing when to lock in.
“Lucas is explosive,” Whetzell added. “I believe Lucas is one of the best, if not the best, athletes in the school. When he uses this explosive athleticism, he is tough to deal with. I look forward to helping him become a more confident wrestler.”
Zane Phelan, a junior, is back after gaining a full year of reps at heavyweight.
Keith Huxtable returns, after bouncing back and forth between 120 and 126 last year in his first season of wrestling.
“Keith is very athletic and strong for his size,” Whetzell said.
Lane Beck returns for his senior season, after being sidelined with a knee injury last year.
Michael Jasper is eyeing a breakout sophomore season.
“Michael has continued to work and looks to be in the varsity lineup,” Whetzell said.
Junior Parker Darnell suffered a torn ACL while playing football and will miss this season.
“When our kids face adversities like Parker is faced with, we advise them to play the cards they’re dealt like it is the hand they have always wanted,” Whetzell said. “That is going to look different for different kids and different types of adversity. Parker will still be expected to be a leader and a built-in coach while he is sidelined.”
Whetzell wants the Bison to have high expectations of themselves.
“All our returners know that a lot is expected in our program, and they will be looked at to lead and guide the new kids stepping in,” Whetzell said. “Keith, Dylan, Tyler and Lucas will be looked at to lead the charge. These guys have had unbelievable moments as freshmen or first-year high school wrestlers. I believe, with a little more consistency, we will be talking about them in late February.”
Newcomers for the Bison are sophomore Aiden Gray and freshmen Evan Henry, Bentley Crouch, Ryan Smith, Jackson Carter, and Kayden Carson.
“Aiden is a student of the sport,” Whetzell said. “He is always asking questions and has picked up really well on what he has been taught. I look forward to seeing what Aiden can do as a first-year wrestler.
“Evan has raw talent and strength for his size, and I believe when get in the later months of the season, he can be a real problem for anyone to wrestle at (106),” Whetzell added. “These freshman boys have a lot of raw talent and potential that we will look to help them utilize and grow every day. We look for all wrestlers to show up, learn, and take the opportunities given for mat time when they present themselves.”
On the girls’ side of things, Buffalo has returning state qualifiers in seniors Aja Watson and Makayla Altic. Watson was 41-9 last year and Altic 18-9.
“Both Aja and Makayla are very talented wrestlers,” Whetzell said. “I am super happy for these two and excited to see what they can do. They have both dealt with the injury bug and have continued to come back and make the most of what season they have had. They are resilient.”
Others on Buffalo’s watch list are Mekenley Altic, Avery Holland, Gabby Daniel and Temperance Watson.
“Mekenley has been wrestling several years now and has had proven success, including beating and competing with many state-level high school girls’ Whetzell said. “Temperance has been wrestling (since) her older sister, Jada, started high school. She has had a lot of success at the state level with multiple youth titles at the national level. Avery has started to make strides through our middle school and youth programs. Gabby is newer to the sport, but has the ability to become a good wrestler. Gabby brings a good personality to the team and what I believe can be a good teammate to all our girls.
Mackenzie Klapp returns after a 28-win freshman season.
“Mackenzie is very tough and showed much improvement last year,” Whetzell said. “We will look to Mackenzie to continue that growth into what we think could be a state contender.”
Olivia Ross collected 26 wins as a freshman last season.
“Olivia has the ability to take over matches with strength but also has the ability to get to girls’ legs with some athleticism,” Whetzell said.
Whetzell noted the Bison and Lady Bison had an eventful off-season that included a three-day visit to the Eierman Elite Camp.
“This allowed us to learn some things, but mainly just have a trip to learn about one another, develop some cohesion, and have some fun,” he said. “It was a unique experience where we pretty much roughed it for three days, with some wrestling and fun mixed in.”
Buffalo’s schedule will be highlighted by a dual with Fair Grove that is being dubbed ‘The Battle of 65.’
“We will use this as a platform to promote wrestling (and) raise funds for things like cancer research, cancer awareness (or) families in need,” Whetzell said. “(Those) are some of the ideas we are looking at. I am proud to partner with coach Holt and Fair Grove to do something that makes a difference.”
