BOLIVAR, Mo. — The Carthage wrestling team travelled to Bolivar last Thursday to take on the Liberators on their home turf. Both varsity girls and boys recorded team victories on the evening: the boys winning 41-37 and the girls 36-30. While the boys head to head matchups leaned in favor of the Bolivar team, open classes at lower weights tipped the scales for a Tiger victory. With the varsity boys off for the weekend before heading to the Platte County tournament, we caught up with Head Coach, Nate Kelly, for some insight into this year’s team and expectations heading into the end of the season.
Carthage News Online: We’re heading into the last few weeks of the regular season before districts. What are you working on with the team to ensure we’re putting the best team on the mat during the most important part of the season?
Nate Kelly: As we approach the last few weeks of the regular season, the focus is on sharpening the fundamentals and fine-tuning specific match situations to build match awareness. We’re also working on conditioning to ensure the team is peaking physically and mentally. It’s also crucial to instill the mindset of wrestling every second of every match, especially in tight situations, which could make the difference at districts.
CNO: Grady Huntley, Aydan Nye, and Jaxton Lopez had some key wins for the Tigers at Bolivar in their head to head matches. How do you push that consistency to others that may have struggled with losses against Bolivar?
NK: Those three boys had the wins that mattered for the team points against Bolivar, but others on the team did still contribute. Others can be proud of their efforts in not giving up a pin or keeping a match to a major decision instead of a tech fall. The win or loss on the scoreboard doesn’t define the wrestler, but rather their efforts, mindset, and heart. Sometimes we lose a match but still get something out of it. Likewise, sometimes we can win a match and not be satisfied. The key is to always go into a match with the mindset of full effort and attention, then to find something we can take away from it in the end.
CNO: What do you feel is your biggest challenge at this point in the season?
NK: The biggest challenge right now is balancing individual needs with team goals. Some wrestlers are hitting their stride, while others are battling fatigue, injuries, or confidence issues. As a coach, I need to gauge where everyone is at mentally and physically and adjust practices accordingly. The other challenge is ensuring the entire team stays focused and hungry. It’s easy to get complacent or distracted this late in the season, but we need to stay locked in.
CNO: You have quite a few leaders on this year’s team, both varsity and junior varsity. How have your leaders helped build the team into what it is today?
NK: One thing I wanted to do when I took over last year was to implement a “Blackshirt” practice group. These are the boys who consistently act like a varsity wrestler, implementing solid technique, maintaining good grades, and demonstrating mental toughness, whether they were actually on the varsity lineup or not. They actually wear black practice gear so they can easily be identified in the practice room. This gives their teammates an easy-to-spot example of what a Carthage wrestler should look like, and gives coaches a visual of who is ready and able to be pushed and held accountable to our standards.
CNO: Your team has been very civic minded this year. What is your goal in involving your team in the community?
NK: Getting involved in the community is about teaching these athletes that wrestling goes beyond the mat. It’s about building character, empathy, and leadership skills. When the team volunteers or gives back, they learn the value of teamwork and being role models. It also reinforces the idea that they represent more than themselves—they represent their school, their families, and their town. My goal is to create well-rounded individuals who carry those lessons with them long after their wrestling careers.
Carthage vs. Bolivar Dual
January 16, 2025
Varsity Boys win 41-37:
106: Randy Teo (CARTHAGE) over (BOLIVAR) (For.)
113: Javi Perez Merida (CARTHAGE) over (BOLIVAR) (For.)
120: Tanner Putt (CARTHAGE) over (BOLIVAR) (For.)
126: Caden Groom (CARTHAGE) over (BOLIVAR) (For.)
132: Grady Huntley (CARTHAGE) over Madden Ross (BOLIVAR) (TF 18-2 2:46)
138: Maddux NeSmith (BOLIVAR) over Wyatt Hole (CARTHAGE) (TF 15-0 2:53)
144: Cooper Moore (BOLIVAR) over Emerson Ixcol (CARTHAGE) (TF 15-0 2:46)
150: Aydan Nye (CARTHAGE) over Koven Parks (BOLIVAR) (Fall 4:50)
157: Cale McCurry (BOLIVAR) over Kayden Hole (CARTHAGE) (TF 20-2 2:00)
165: Logan Bunn (BOLIVAR) over Latrell Abbasi (CARTHAGE) (MD 14-1)
175: Mason McCurry (BOLIVAR) over Lenny Escobar (CARTHAGE) (Fall 4:28)
190: Sam Harless (BOLIVAR) over Steve Serious (CARTHAGE) (Fall 2:40)
215: Garrett Samek (BOLIVAR) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
285: Jaxton Lopez (CARTHAGE) over Reese Eisenburg (BOLIVAR) (Fall 2:56)
Varsity Girls win 36-30:
100: Hadley White (CARTHAGE) over (BOLIVAR) (For.)
105: Mischa Drackert (CARTHAGE) over (BOLIVAR) (For.)
110: Maylee Brown (CARTHAGE) over (BOLIVAR) (For.)
115: Aspen White (CARTHAGE) over (BOLIVAR) (For.)
120: Sydney Waters (BOLIVAR) over Diana Juarez (CARTHAGE) (Fall 0:46)
125: Adrianna Meneses-Lilly (BOLIVAR) over Aubrey Ibarra (CARTHAGE) (Fall 1:32)
130: Kaylee James (CARTHAGE) over LaShyla Moore (BOLIVAR) (Inj. 2:11)
135: Emely Hernandez (CARTHAGE) over (BOLIVAR) (For.)
140: Shelby Holm (BOLIVAR) over Irish Lee (CARTHAGE) (Fall 4:00)
145: Double Forfeit
155: Double Forfeit
170: Ellie Samek (BOLIVAR) over Adrianna Patrick (CARTHAGE) (Fall 1:00)
190: Maisie McCullah (BOLIVAR) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
235: Double Forfeit
JV Boys:
144: Dylan (Michael) Evans (Carthage) over Colton Richard (Bolivar) (Dec 7-5)
144: Colton Richard (Bolivar) over Erwin Paxtor (Carthage) (Fall 2:25)
150: Korben Parmalee (Bolivar) over Douglas Ball (Carthage) (Fall 3:37)
150: Korben Parmalee (Bolivar) over Eli Smith (Carthage) (Fall 1:42)
157: Logan Roberts (Bolivar) over Alex Alvarado (Carthage) (Fall 4:19)
157: Logan Roberts (Bolivar) over Jacxon Haws (Carthage) (Fall 0:15)
165: Saul Alvarado Hernandez (Carthage) over Colton Willis (Bolivar) (Fall 0:39)
175: Carter Ryan (Bolivar) over Satchel Eckerson (Carthage) (Fall 2:19)
190: Grant Bayless (Bolivar) over Maveric Allphin (Carthage) (Fall 3:16)
