The McDonald County girls wrestling program features a record 23 on the roster this season.
That number has a large group of returning wrestlers including Sherlyn Lopez (sophomore, 100 lbs), Sheccid Gonzalez (sophomore, 105–110 lbs), Ellysia Wasson (senior, 105–110 lbs), Jaqueline Teneyuque (sophomore, 120–125 lbs), Leah Nix (sophomore, 120–125 lbs), Kaitlyn Parra (junior, 125–130 lbs), Anjelika Alarcon (junior, 130–135 lbs), Macie Smith (junior, 140–145 lbs), Brooke Obed (sophomore, 150–155 lbs), Jazmynn Brewer (senior, 170 lbs), Daesha Solomon (sophomore, 190 lbs) and Terah Mitchell (sophomore, 235 lbs).
“We will have two major leaders this year: Ellysia Wasson and Anjelika Alarcon,” McDonald County girls head coach Tinker Kinser said. “Both are state qualifiers, with Anjelika being the first state placer in the program’s history, earning a fourth-place finish. They are exceptional leaders on and off the mat, showing tremendous work ethic, persistence, and coachability. They also go out of their way to help newer wrestlers understand techniques and feel confident in the room.”
Solomon has show big improvements in the offseason.
“Daesha Solomon has impressed me the most,” Kinser said. “She may not have had the season finish she wanted last year, but she attended nearly every offseason practice. She often trained before going to help as a football team manager. Her commitment and work ethic make me very excited to see what she accomplishes on her revenge tour season.”
Junior Kylie Smith is looking to step up and get varsity mat time this season.
“Kylie Smith is the newcomer to watch,” Kinser said. “She is a junior and also a varsity cheerleader. Watching her in the room has been amazing—she has zero quit and learns extremely fast.”
Freshman Constance Jones could find a spot on the varsity in her first high school season.
“Constance Jones is a freshman I expect to fight her way into a varsity role,” Kinser said. “She is a fast learner, a strong teammate, and always willing to go above and beyond what is asked of her.”
The big numbers have the Mustangs set for a deep lineup.
“I believe we will be very competitive throughout the lineup,” Kinser said. “We have two returning state qualifiers, one being a state placer, and several girls who lost in the blood round at districts and are on a mission this year.”
McDonald County girls wrestling opens the season on Dec. 5 with their home tournament.
“For this season to be successful, I want the girls to get 1% better every day,” Kinser said. “Our overall goal is to earn at least two state placers and qualify more than two wrestlers for the state tournament.”
