In a week filled with competition and ever-changing schedules, the Carthage High School Wrestling Team traveled to Ray-Pec for a junior varsity tournament and then to Cassville for a double dual that included Miami, OK. The Ray-Pec Scramble was a chance for the junior varsity team to acquire some much-needed matches and gain experience at the high school level.
Head Coach, Kenny Brown was excited to put the focus on his JV squad. “I just really wanted to be able to see them compete. A lot of them didn’t get matches in our first dual, so I really couldn’t gauge how far they have come and what we areas we needed to concentrate more practice time,” Brown said. “I honestly feel that we have one of the best JV teams in the area. Part of that is due to having quite a few upperclassmen on our JV team and the quality of our varsity team. There is a lot of competition in our room for not just the varsity spot, but the JV spot as well. Combine that with the fact that there isn’t a huge difference in ability between several of our varsity wrestlers and their JV counterparts leads to a very competitive JV that is continually looking to improve.”
When asked why he thinks his team is so large year after year, Coach Brown had this to say: “There are several reasons for the size of our team. First, our junior high coaches do a phenomenal job introducing a lot of kids to the sport. Second, our Hispanic population has really embraced the sport of wrestling. They are hard-working kids who have realized that their hard work will pay off. Third, I have an amazing staff of assistant coaches. They all have their own roles on the team and the kids really feed off the energy that they bring to practice every day. I believe that the kids know that their coaches care about them, not just what they can do for the team in the sport, but for what happens to them after their wrestling careers are finished. That’s why we still have former wrestlers who never stepped foot on a varsity mat want to stay involved in the program. They know that they have been a part of something bigger than just themselves.”
Brown feels that this camaraderie is especially important during a year when many tournaments are closed to spectators. “I don’t know that it (being closed to spectators) really changed the team dynamic as it just changed the atmosphere of the event. I hope that the kids realized that what was happening was just for them. It was a venue designed not necessarily for people to watch, but for the kids to just get to compete against someone else. Unfortunately, it seems that has gotten lost in the shuffle of youth, high school, and college sports. Everything has gotten to be a much larger production than just teams or athletes competing just to compete. Maybe the best thing that will come out of this strange season is that we can get back to the basics of competing just to compete, which is fun.”
Tuesday night at Cassville gave both the varsity and junior varsity that chance to compete and gain some valuable mat time. After dealing some very severe blows to both the Cassville and Miami teams, Coach Brown talked a little about what makes his group a state caliber team year after year.
“Again, I must credit our youth, junior high, and high school coaching staffs for a lot of it. We all want the best for these kids and because I believe the kids realize that they tend to be willing to do whatever it takes not to disappoint their coaches. Unfortunately, most kids do not understand that good coaches seldom are disappointed in their kids, just disappointed for them when they do not realize their goals. It takes some emotional maturity gained over time to realize the difference.”
That emotional maturity led to some rather standout performances Tuesday night, according to Brown. “There were several performances that were memorable. Freshman Joshua Griffith not only got his first varsity win of his career, but also pinned his opponent. His surprised reaction to the victory will be remembered. I had to remind him after the match that he should never be shocked when he wins. He needs to go out knowing that he is going to win. Christian Brown had another standout performance. I mentioned earlier this year, that our depth was going to be one of our strengths. Christian proved me correct. Christian is my JV 120. He originally was not scheduled for a JV match. Around 11:30 on Tuesday, I found out that my varsity 126, Kip Castor, was ill (Not COVID-19) and was not going to be able to compete. I got with Christian shortly after that and told him that I needed him to wrestle varsity 126 for me. Not only did he go out and compete Tuesday, but he also went out and go his first varsity win and pin. Finally, Davion King had a tough match. He was wrestling a State Qualifier from Cassville and 30 seconds into the match, he was bleeding non-stop from both nostrils. We had to plug up both sides of his nose. I guarantee he had trouble breathing. Out of 5 minutes of blood time, he used 4:55 but was able to hold on to win 5-4.”
Carthage Wrestling’s busy week continues with the Farmington Dual Tournament and Tuesday’s dual versus Joplin, which will be Senior Night.
The JV competed on Saturday 12/05/20 at the Ray-Pec JV Scramble.
Weight—Name—Grade—Tournament record
106—Dylan Huntley—9—(3-0)
Won by technical fall 19-1 over Michael Daily—Ray-Pec
Won by fall in 0:22 over Ethan Bertolone—Ray-Pec
Won by fall in 2:27 over Chris Faulkender—Ray-Pec
106—Alberto Sales—9—(3-0)
Won by fall in 0:21 over Ethan Bertolone—Ray-Pec
Won by fall in 0:42 over Chris Faulkender—Ray-Pec
Won by fall in 4:00 over Michael Daily—Ray-Pec
106—Indiana Gray—9—(0-3)
Lost by overtime decision 9-11 to Chris Faulkender—Ray-Pec
Lost by decision 4-9 to Michael Daily—Ray-Pec
Lost by decision 2-6 to Ethan Bertolone—Ray-Pec
113—Antoni Sales—9—(1-2)
Lost by fall in 5:56 to Connor Gatlin—Ray-Pec
Won by fall in 3:55 over Christofer Gonzalez—Carthage
Lost by fall in 1:14 to Riley Hall—Fort Osage
113—Christofer Gonzalez—9—(0-3)
Lost by fall in 1:59 to Riley Hall—Fort Osage
Lost by fall in 3:55 to Antoni Sales—Carthage
Lost by fall in 0:41 to Zaden Horn—Ray-Pec
120—Christian Brown—11—(2-1)
Won by decision 3-1 over Bryce Gatlin—Ray-Pec
Won by fall in 3:43 over Zaden Horn—Ray-Pec
Lost by decision 1-7 to Trevor Green—Ray-Pec
120—Walter Reyes-Mojica—11—(0-2)
Lost by fall in 3:38 to Trevor Green—Ray-Pec
Lost by fall in 2:37 to Riley Hall—Fort Osage
126—Mason Rustad—10—(2-1)
Won by overtime decision 2-0 over Caden Roth—Fort Osage
Lost by fall in 1:37 to Daniel Martinez—Fort Osage
Won by fall in 3:04 over Jayce Fox—Ray-Pec
132—Cody Reeves—11—(1-2)
Lost by decision 2-6 to Dawson Bales—Ray-Pec
Won by fall in 0:40 over Mikeal Seitz—Cameron
Lost by fall in 4:56 to Brayden Welcher—Ray-Pec
132—Darrin Witt—9—(2-1)
Won by fall in 4:58 over Dorien Fredericks—Ray-Pec
Lost by fall in 1:49 to Brayden Welcher—Ray-Pec
Won by fall in 1:56 over Sam Stegall—Rockhurst
132—Devon Paxtor—11—(1-2)
Lost by decision 0-7 to Brayden Welcher—Ray-Pec
Won by fall in 1:24 over Sam Stegall—Rockhurst
Lost by fall in 4:26 to Brandon Jefferson—Cameron
138—Marvin Najera—9—(3-0)
Won by fall in 4:56 over Brandon Jefferson—Cameron
Won by fall in 1:05 over Landon Lamb—Fort Osage
Won by fall in 1:26 over Eamonn Tyler—Fort Osage
145—Brayden Benefiel—12—(3-0)
Won by fall in 3:00 over Anthony Hicks—Cameron
Won by fall in 3:25 over Jasen Periman—Fort Osage
Won by fall in 1:01 over Anthony Wilburn–Harrisonville
145—Elmer Reyes—9—(1-2)
Lost by fall in 4:15 to Connor Johnson—Cameron
Won by technical fall 15-0 over Grant Holsman—Rockhurst
Lost by fall in 3:34 to Jakob Gray–Cameron
145—Byron Lopez—11—(2-1)
Won by fall in 2:49 over Ayden Pervin—Ray-Pec
Won by fall in 5:38 over Anthony Hicks—Ray-Pec
Lost by decision 10-11 to Jasen Periman—Fort Osage
145—Trey Nye—10—(2-1)
Won by fall in 2:39 over Jasen Periman—Fort Osage
Won by fall in 3:30 over Anthony Wilburn—Harrisonville
Lost by fall in 0:35 to Connor Johnson—Cameron
145—Aldo Hernandez—9—(0-3)
Lost by fall in 0:19 to Anthony Wilburn—Harrisonville
Lost by fall in 1:09 to Connor Johnson—Cameron
Lost by fall in 1:00 to Grant Holsman–Rockhurst
145—Mark Hernandez—10—(1-2)
Won by fall in 5:31 over Grant Holsman—Rockhurst
Lost by fall in 1:54 to Jakob Gray—Cameron
Lost by fall in 3:15 to Ayden Parvin—Ray-Pec
152—D.J. Witt—12—(3-0)
Won by fall in 2:43 over Aiden Starforth—Ray-Pec
Won by decision 10-3 over Jesse Totten—Ray-Pec
Won by fall in 1:39 over Gavin Kling—Ray-Pec
152—Gabe Lambeth—10—(3-0)
Won by fall in 3:33 over Jesse Totten—Ray-Pec
Won by fall in 0:21 over Gavin Kling—Ray-Pec
Won by decision 12-7 over Case Melzer–Harrisonville
152—Grant Lasley—11—(2-1)
Won by fall in 1:00 over Gavin Kling—Ray-Pec
Lost by fall in 2:31 to Case Melzer—Harrisonville
Won by fall in 0:26 over Kyler Myers–Cameron
152—Esvin Gonzalez—10—(0-3)
Lost by fall in 1:05 to Case Melzer—Harrisonville
Lost by fall in 1:30 to Kyler Myers—Cameron
Lost by fall in 1:58 to Aiden Starforth—Ray-Pec
152—Emerson Perez—10—(0-3)
Lost by fall in 1:25 to Kyler Myers—Cameron
Lost by fall in 1:18 to Aiden Starforth—Ray-Pec
Lost by fall in 0:21 to Jesse Totten—Ray-Pec
160—Creed Lambeth—12—(0-1)
Lost by fall in 4:44 to Patrick Martin
Withdrew from tournament due to injury
160—Ben Rogers—9—(1-1)
Won by fall in 5:00 over Elvis Vasquez—Carthage
Lost by fall in 1:45 to Jules Gates–Cameron
160—Elvis Vasquez—9—(0-2)
Lost by fall in 0:30 to Jules Gates—Cameron
Lost by fall in 5:00 to Ben Rogers—Carthage
170—Lucas Lund—10—(3-0)
Won by fall in 1:00 over Hunter Barton—Cameron
Won by fall in 0:26 over Aiden Walton—Harrisonville
Won by fall in 0:26 over Alex Suarez—Ray-Pec
182—James Chuta—12—(1-1)
Won by fall in 1:48 over Dallas Yantits—Cameron
Lost by fall in 0:31 to Ashton Riley–Carthage
195—Brian Zuniga—10—(2-0)
Won by fall in 0:39 over Riley Christiansen—Fort Osage
Won by technical fall 18-3 over James Totten—Ray-Pec
195—Ashton Riley—9—(3-0)
Won by fall in 0:24 over Riley Christiansen—Fort Osage
Won by fall in 0:40 over James Totten—Ray-Pec
Won by fall in 0:31 over James Chuta–Carthage
195—Diego Morales—10—(1-2)
Lost by fall in 0:59 to James Totten—Ray-Pec
Lost by fall in 1:15 to Dallas Yantits—Cameron
Won by fall in 2:16 over Riley Christiansen—Fort Osage
220—Cristian Salas—11—(3-0)
Won by fall in 0:52 over Jake Escoe—Harrisonville
Won by fall in 0:32 over Jonas Yoder—Harrisonville
Won by fall in 0:58 over Chase Querry–Cameron
220—Anthony Salas—10—(3-0)
Won by fall in 0:27 over Jonas Yoder—Harrisonville
Won by fall in 0:49 over Chase Querry—Cameron
Won by fall in 0:36 over Tristan Abbett–Cameron
220—Rafael Lopez—11—(2-0)
Won by fall in 2:22 over Chase Querry—Cameron
Won by fall in 1:27 over Tristan Abbett–Cameron
220—Jesua Coquij—9—(2-0)
Won by fall in 4:48 over Tristan Abbett—Cameron
Won by fall in 0:36 over Allen Moore—Ray-Pec
220—Alexander Salas-Marquez—9—(2-1)
Won by fall in 0:41 over Allen Moore—Ray-Pec
Lost by decision 6-7 to Jake Escoe—Harrisonville
Won by fall in 2:19 over Jones Yoder–Harrisonville
220—John Cruz—9—(1-1)
Won by decision 8-2 over Allen Moore—Ray-Pec
Lost by fall in 2:23 to Jake Escoe–Harrisonville
285—Malachi Housh—9—(0-2)
Lost by decision 3-5 to Cartez Burkhalter—Ray-Pec
Lost by fall in 3:56 to Cole Henderson–Cameron
285—Garrett Lilienkamp—11—(0-2)
Lost by decision 2-7 to David Ayers—Ray-Pec
Lost by fall in 3:24 to Cartez Burkhalter—Ray-Pec
285—Chastin Utter—12—(1-2)
Lost by fall in 1:30 to Cole Henderson—Cameron
Won by decision 2-0 over David Ayers—Ray-Pec
Lost by fall in 0:22 to Cartez Burkhalter—Ray-Pec
285—Edward Carreto—9—(0-2)
Lost by fall in 0:25 to Cole Henderson—Cameron
Lost by fall in 1:45 to David Ayers—Ray-Pec
Here are the Carthage Wrestling Results from our double dual with Cassville and Miami on 12/08/20 in Cassville.
Carthage 75
Miami OK 6
Carthage 66
Cassville 12
Individual Results(Miami match will be listed first)
Weight—Name—Grade—Season Record
106—Joshua Griffith—9—(3-0)
Won by fall in 2:49 over Elijah Sanda
Won by forfeit
113—Bradyn Tate—9—(3-0)
Won by fall in 1:25 over Allsandro Villarreal
Won by fall in 0:50 over Kurt Deaver
120—Carlos Reyes—12—(3-0)
Won by fall in 2:47 over Jordy Andres
Won by forfeit
126—Christian Brown—11—(2-0)
Won by fall in 1:33 over Kevin Ramirez
Won by forfeit
132—Dagan Sappington—12—(3-0)
Won by forfeit
Won by fall in 2:22 over Gavin Moore
138—Eli Sneed—11—(3-0)
Won by fall in 3:49 over Shane Douthit
Won by fall in 1:07 over Matthew Whittenburg
145—Davion King—10—(3-0)
Won by fall in 0:26 over Jonas Neece
Won by decision 5-4 over Gabe Hunter
152—Braxdon Tate—11—(3-0)
Won by fall in 1:03 over Devon Fleming
Won by decision 7-0 over Jake Anthonyz
160—Grey Petticrew—10—(2-0)
Won by fall in 2:45 over Anthony Yardy
Won by forfeit
170—Brett Rockers—11—(2-1)
Lost by fall in 2:31 to Keedin Crockett
Won by fall in 5:00 over Brennan Cieslinski
182—Luke Gall—10—(3-0)
Won by forfeit
Won by forfeit
195—Obed Gonzalez—12—(1-2)
Won by decision 13-7 over Cole Horn
Lost by fall in 3:19 to Brody Barbee
220—Alexis Vasquez—12—(3-0)
Won by fall in 2:42 over Brian Cox
Won by forfeit
285—Kanen Vogt—11—(1-2)
Won by fall in 1:56 over Trenton Spunaugle
Lost by fall in 4:29 to Zach Coenen
Junior Varsity Results
138—Byron Lopez—11—(5-1)
Won by fall in 3:12 over Wyatt Alexander—Cassville
Won by fall in 1:45 over Ulises Mora—Miami
138—Cody Reeves—11—(2-2)
Won by major decision 12-4 over Wyatt Alexander–Cassville
138—Devon Paxtor—11—(2-2)
Won by fall in 0:39 over Eli Connely–Cassville
138—Darrin Witt—9—(2-2)
Lost by overtime decision 6-8 to Dallas Johnson–Cassville
145—Brayden Benefiel—12—(4-0)
Won by fall in 4:22 over Trey Wilson–Cassville
145—Lucas Jones—10—(1-0)
Won by decision 6-0 over Dallas Johnson–Cassville
145—Elmer Reyes—9—(2-2)
Won by fall in 2:59 over Trey Wilson–Cassville
