By Chris Parker
Marshfield boys wrestling returns three state qualifiers and has 53 on the roster this season.
Seniors Takoda Gritts and Keegan Reynolds along with junior Mac Mohnen are the returning state qualifiers.
Gritts qualified at 144 pounds and went 41-11 on the season.
“Takoda put in a lot of work this summer,” Marshfield head coach Matt Holt said. “He had a very successful NEO Camp in June and didn’t miss a day all summer. He has stepped up in his leadership role and has high expectations for himself.”
Reynolds was at 175 pounds posting a 30-18 record overall.
“Keegan was a very pleasant surprise last year,” Holt said. “Going into last year, I was not even sure if he would be in our varsity lineup but he wowed in the wrestle offs then just continued through the season. He is not a surprise this season. He is dominant in the practice room. He is the true definition of a servant leader, and the other kids love him for that. I expect him and Takoda to both find the podium in Columbia this year.”
Mohnen wrestled 138 pounds at state and went 36-8 on the season. He is a two-time state qualifier and was a conference and district champion.
“He navigated some injuries early last season but finished the season strong,” Holt said. “He is now a junior and has taken on a big leadership role for us.”
Senior Austin Croy is a two-year starter wrestling at 285 pounds.
“Austin is a returning two-year starter for us and the leader of our big men,” Holt said. “He works hard, he is consistent, and he is flexible making him really good on the mat.”
Johnathan McGlynn (junior – 132 pounds), Ethan Burt (junior – 138 pounds), Connor Johnson (junior – 165 pounds) and Anthony Macrrelli (junior – 175/190 pounds) also return.
McGlynn is a two-year starter. Burt is a returning starter who was a conference finalist last season. Johnson is also a returning starter. Macrelli is a returning two-year starter who was one match away from making the state tournament last season.
Caleb Bull (sophomore 175/190), Logan Compton (sophomore 165/175), Brodie Perkins (sophomore 285), Ben Baker (junior 120), Karter Sarabia (freshman 113/120), Gabrian Bridges (freshman 144/150) and Cayden Holt (freshman 126) are all in the mix for consistent varsity matches this season.
Holt on Bull: “Caleb Bull saw a lot of varsity action as a freshman and brings in youth wrestling success.”
Holt on Compton: “Logan Compton was stuck behind some very good varsity wrestlers last year but was a youth state medalist.”
Holt on Perkins: “Brodie Perkins saw some varsity action last season even winning the Buffalo Varsity Tournament. He too was a youth state medalist.”
Holt on Baker: “Ben Baker did not wrestle last year but competed for a varsity spot as a freshman.”
Holt on Sarabia: “Karter Sarabia brings a lot of experience and success from the youth level.”
Holt on Bridges: “He is a multiple time Youth State Champion and Youth All-American with experience and success on large national stages.”
Coach Holt on Cayden Holt: “Cayden Holt is a multiple time Youth State Champion and Youth National Champion. He has experience and success on some very large stages.”
Overall, there is a lot to like about the roster for Marshfield Wrestling this season.
“We bring back multiple starters, with multiple years as the starters, and we have a very talented young group joining them. We have a strong group of leaders,” Holt said.
Marshfield opens the season on Dec. 4 at home against Aurora and Hollister.
“We need to find our identity as a team,” Holt said. “We lost some very important leaders and wrestlers from last season. This year’s leaders need to find their voices for this season. Our goal is to win an OMC Championship and put wrestlers on the podium in Columbia at the end of the year.”
GIRLS TEAM
The Marshfield girls team should be a force in duals this season capable of filling a full lineup that features a host of experienced wrestlers.
“We should fill all 14 weight classes with solid wrestlers,” Marshfield girls head coach Adam Wright said. “We will have three former state placers, two other returning state qualifiers, and the other returning varsity wrestlers were very close to making state last year.”
Carlynn Mynatt returns for her junior season after coming up two points short of wrestling for a state title last season. She placed third at 115 pounds with a 43-11 record. She will be back at 115 pounds this season.
“Carlynn is an intense competitor. Anything other than being the best is motivating for her. She consistently puts in work in the offseason both on the mat in the weight room,” Wright said. “Mentally she has grown and learned to not see losses as a failure but opportunities to learn.”
Gracelynn Bull returns for her senior season as a two-time state qualifier and a placer in 2024. She will wrestle at 170 pounds.
“I expect her to practice every day like a champion, be a leader and compete against the best in the state,” Wright said.
Sarah Wilson was one match away from a medal as a sophomore after placing fourth as a freshman. She is back at 140 or 145 pounds this season.
“I expect her to practice every day like a champion, be a leader and compete against the best in the state,” Wright said.
Bayleigh Cruise is a fifth returning state qualifier. She wrestled at 105 pounds last season and will be at 105 or 110 pounds this season.
“She now has the confidence that she can compete with the best in the state,” Wright said.
Rolanda Francois qualified at 190 pounds.
Simone Mahoney (sophomore – 120 pounds), Paige Spencer (sophomore – 125), Jasmine Cody (junior – 135), Nati Tomanek (sophomore – 145/155), Aby Spencer (senior – 155/170), and Saquiyah Francois (senior – 235) are all returners.
Cody and Saquiyah Francois have shown great offseason improvements.
“Jasmine Cody works very hard and loves to learn the sport. She is always looking to improve and has put in time on the mat this offseason to improve her wrestling. She will surprise some people this year,” Wright said. “Saquiyah is a go-getter. Last year was her first year wrestling and also was a cheerleader at the same time. By the end of the year, she was one point away from qualifying for state. This year she is committing the winter to wrestling only, and she is a motivated and hardworking individual that I expect to do great things this year.”
There are also newcomers who could push for varsity mat time.
“We have several newcomer freshmen and upperclassmen that should see the varsity mat at times,” Wright said. “I am excited to see them compete on the mat this season. We have a large roster and are not quite sure where everyone will fit in. It will be fun watching the lineup form throughout the season.”
Sophia Hall (junior – 100/105), Chloe Ellis (sophomore – 110), Isabella Gonzales (freshman – 125-130), Felicity Burden (junior – 135/140), and Teagan Morgan (freshman – 155-190) are just a few of the newcomers who could make an impact.
“I expect all of our newcomers and freshmen to have a big impact on our team,” Wright said. “Even if they aren’t competing in the varsity lineup, they are helping us get better every day in the practice room. In wrestling, you are as good as your practice partner. Iron sharpens iron.”
Marshfield opened the season on Nov. 25 at the Owensville Tournament. They take the mat next on Dec. 2 in Ozark against Neosho and Ozark.
