By Chris Parker
The Monett boys wrestling team has 25 wrestlers out this season with two returning state qualifiers in sophomore Kade Adams and junior Henry Reed.
Adams qualified for state at 132 pounds last season finishing 28-23 overall on the season. He will wrestle in the 126-138 pound range this season. Reed came up one win short of medaling at 165 pounds finishing 39-13 overall. He will be at 175 to 190 pounds this season.
Reed along with senior Logan Cole (175-190 pounds) will be key leaders according to Monett boys head coach Ben Hohensee.
“The wrestlers we will be looking at are Logan Cole and Henry Reed,” Hohensee said. “These two work hard in the room and are great representations of our team. They both are dedicated and determined. I look forward to watching them grow in their leadership role as the year progresses.”
Reed brings an unmatched work ethic to the team.
“Henry is one of our leaders,” Hohensee said. “He outworks everyone, which is why he was a state qualifier last season. Henry always looks for a challenge and is fearless. Henry looks to make it on the podium this February.”
Cole brings a wealth of experience into his senior season.
“Logan has wrestled for many years,” Hohensee said. “Last year was a breakthrough year for him. Watching his improvement throughout the season was nothing short of amazing. He just keeps coming at you and wears on his opponents. This year, he is looking to make a bigger impact with post-season success.”
Dyson Cutbirth (junior 113-120 pounds), Luis Sanchez (senior 113-120), Dante Ugeni (sophomore 120-132), Jaxon Stout (sophomore 126-138), Chris Spears (junior 132-144) and Carson Madrid (sophomore 175-190) all return.
Cutbirth is looking for a breakout year in his junior season.
“Dyson is still a young wrestler who has made leaps and bounds the last two seasons,” Hohensee said. “He works hard and has the technique to win big matches. With another year of experience under his belt, we look forward to him representing us at either 113 or 120 pounds.”
Stout looks to build off a strong freshman season.
“Jaxon was a freshman for us last season and had some big wins for us,” Hohensee said. “He is dangerous and never out of a match. He really came on strong towards the end of last season, and we look forward to him watching him continue that success. He will be competing around the 132-pound weight class.”
Adams has goals of getting on the podium at state.
“Kade was a state qualifier as a freshman last season,” Hohensee said. “He put’s in lots of work in the off-season. We look forward to watching him make more strides this season. Kade has set high goals this year as he looks to be on the podium come February.”
Spears brings athleticism to the mat.
“Chris is an athletic kid that learned a lot last season,” Hohensee said. “He is quick and strong. When confident, Chris can compete with anyone.”
Jacob Shaw (freshman 106 pounds), Tanner Swinford (freshman), Axel Lopez (sophomore), Chris Calhoun (junior) and Carson Madrid (sophomore) could all potentially have an impact on the varsity lineup.
Hohensee on Shaw:” Jacob Shaw could make an impact right away. He has been through our youth program and has made big strides the past two seasons.”
Hohensee on Swinford: “Tanner Swinford is another freshman who could make an impact this season. Tanner has all the skills to wrestle with the best if he can learn to be more efficient in his matches and training.”
Hohensee on Lopez: “Axel Lopez is one of the hardest workers and maybe even one of the most technical wrestlers in the room. He has had a short career but picks things up fast. This year could be a breakout year for him.”
Hohensee on Calhoun: “Chris Calhoun is a kid who wrestled a few years for us in youth. Chris is a strong, physical, and unorthodox wrestler. With a little control, he could surprise people this season if we can get him in the lineup.”
Hohensee on Madrid: “Carson Madrid has made huge gains in the off-season. Carson is very coachable and constantly working to improve.”
Shaw and Swinford both are multiple time state qualifiers at the youth level.
The freshman group has impressed Hohensee in the off-season.
“Our whole freshman group has been working hard during the off-season,” Hohensee said. “We hope get these guys as many matches as possible throughout the season to get them ready for varsity competition.”
Hohensee wants the wrestlers to focus in on the team aspect of competition this season.
“The strength of this team will be the TEAM,” Hohensee said. “Every dual, tournament, and practice will depend on a full team effort. If we can work with and for each other, we will have a great season.”
Monett opens the season with a dual at Branson on Dec. 4. The first tournament of the season is Dec. 6 at Cassville.
“We have goals to win seven-plus duals, top two at conference, qualify five-plus for the state tournament, and have state medalists,” Hohensee said. “In the end, we just want kids to compete to the best of their ability and be coachable. If we can do this, we will have a successful season.”
GIRLS TEAM
The Monett girls wrestling team has its largest numbers in several years with up to 12 out this season.
“We come into the year with no returning state qualifiers,” Monett girls head coach Justin Semerad said. “There is not a lot of experience throughout lineup, so the girls are going to have to be quick learners. For the first time in my tenure, I am entering a few JV tournaments to give these newer wrestlers some in season experience.”
Senior Vivian Rodriguez (115-125 pounds) and junior Natalie Canales (120-130 pounds) are slated to be team leaders according Semerad.
“Vivian came to me last year as a first-year wrestler and worked hard every day to improve. Joining late in your school career can be daunting for some wrestlers, but she stayed positive and is looking to build upon the work she started last year,” Semerad said. “Natalie Canales has all the athletic tools to be a good wrestler, and she put a lot of time in this off season. I have had more discussions with her about the mental aspect of the sport than anyone else in the room. Natalie is already taking the new wrestlers under her wing and trying to be a positive influence.”
Juniors Arianna Galarsa (155-170) and Mariyah Aceves (130-140) also return.
Chloe Logue (junior 190), Leanny Sandoval (sophomore 155-170), Amethyst James (senior 155-170), Alexa Robles (junior 145-155), Naomi Orellana (freshman 120-130) and Viridiana Rodriguez (senior 120-125) are newcomers to watch.
James is a transfer from Iowa who brings experience.
“Amethyst comes to us as a transfer student from Iowa,” Semerad said. “She does have several years of experience. From what I have seen, she moves well for her size, is aggressive and will be one of our more experienced wrestlers.”
Orellana is poised for an immediate impact as a freshman.
“Naomi wrestled as an eighth grader last year and showed a lot of potential,” Semerad said. “She is strong and tough minded and picks up technique quickly. She put a lot of time in the summer, and I’m excited about what the future holds for her.”
Monett opens the season with a Dec. 4 dual at Branson before the first tournament on Dec. 5 at Cassville.
“The fact we can fill most weight classes this year is something we have not had as a girls’ team,” Semerad said. “Most years we have been heavy on the lighter weight classes. This year we having some girls who can compete at the top of the weight classes. Chloe, Alexa and Leanny are all first-year wrestlers but are amongst our hardest workers and really get after it in practice. Arianna and Amethyst come in with some experience and are providing leadership to those girls. At the lighter and middle weight classes, I like the way we compete in practice, and I hope to see that once we get into our competition schedule. Girls like Viridiana Rodriguez and Naomi have shown flashes during practice, we just need to find that consistency day-in day-out.”
