Friday, March 6, 2026
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Carthage

Tiger men’s wrestlers fall just short of state goal

In what can only be described as a disappointing end to the season, the Carthage Tigers men’s wrestling team found themselves in unfamiliar territory as they fell short of the state mark this year. This is the first time since the early 80’s that the Tigers have failed to send a men’s qualifier to the annual championships.

In a rebuilding year that was plagued by injuries, Coach Nate Kelly was pleased with how tough the boys wrestled, despite the adversity. “We had three wrestlers make it to the bubble match; Randy lost that match by 1 point, Kayden lost that match by fall, and Lenny lost that match by a takedown in overtime. We started the tournament with only 3 wrestlers seeded 6th or 7th. Despite the outcome, I am proud of the way these wrestlers all stepped up and worked to score points the entire match. They each were able to step off the mat assured in knowing they did everything within their control.”

Carthage does hold out hope for state placers with its three female qualifiers competing in this year’s state tournament on Friday and Saturday. Look for those brackets and a state preview with interviews of the girls in the coming days.

106

Randy Teo Monzon (17-9) place is unknown and scored 9.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 – Randy Teo Monzon (Carthage) 17-9 won by fall over Charles Kille (Raymore-Peculiar) 26-13 (Fall 2:50)
Quarterfinal – Parker Hansen (Ozark) 39-2 won by fall over Randy Teo Monzon (Carthage) 17-9 (Fall 2:15)
Cons. Round 2 – Randy Teo Monzon (Carthage) 17-9 won by fall over Thatcher Snavely (Branson) 10-28 (Fall 1:34)
Cons. Round 3 – Randy Teo Monzon (Carthage) 17-9 won by major decision over Preston Ingram (Kickapoo) 32-9 (MD 11-3)
Cons. Semi – Robert Winn (Rolla) 32-5 won by decision over Randy Teo Monzon (Carthage) 17-9 (Dec 6-5)

Randy Teo falls to his Rolla opponent 6-5 in the consolation semifinal match at this year’s district tournament. Crystal Brown / CNO

113

Javi Perez Merida (12-19) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 – Jacob Nix (Waynesville) 33-13 won by tech fall over Javi Perez Merida (Carthage) 12-19 (TF-1.5 4:49 (19-2))
Cons. Round 1 – Javi Perez Merida (Carthage) 12-19 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 – Drake Harley (Lee`s Summit) 19-17 won by fall over Javi Perez Merida (Carthage) 12-19 (Fall 3:36)

126

Adam Jones (24-19) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 – Malleki Louis (Raymore-Peculiar) 28-10 won by tech fall over Adam Jones (Carthage) 24-19 (TF-1.5 2:00 (17-2))
Cons. Round 1 – Adam Jones (Carthage) 24-19 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 – Tucker Feagans (Neosho) 18-4 won by fall over Adam Jones (Carthage) 24-19 (Fall 0:20)

132

Mason Artym (13-19) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 – Jax Adams (Nixa) 29-18 won by fall over Mason Artym (Carthage) 13-19 (Fall 1:51)
Cons. Round 1 – T.J. Woodward (Raymore-Peculiar) 18-20 won by decision over Mason Artym (Carthage) 13-19 (Dec 10-7)

138

Douglas Ball (24-19) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 – Douglas Ball (Carthage) 24-19 won by fall over Jack Abraham (Lee`s Summit North) 17-16 (Fall 1:50)
Quarterfinal – Kelton Shaffer (Neosho) 35-8 won by major decision over Douglas Ball (Carthage) 24-19 (MD 12-3)
Cons. Round 2 – Til`myrius Wilson (Raymore-Peculiar) 27-17 won by decision over Douglas Ball (Carthage) 24-19 (Dec 7-1)

144

Jace Nichols (32-18) place is unknown and scored 5.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 – Jace Nichols (Carthage) 32-18 won by decision over Toanton Likiche (Neosho) 8-24 (Dec 9-2)
Quarterfinal – Lincoln Stearns (Waynesville) 38-3 won by tech fall over Jace Nichols (Carthage) 32-18 (TF-1.5 1:51 (17-2))
Cons. Round 2 – Jace Nichols (Carthage) 32-18 won by fall over Kemper Loyd (Joplin) 16-24 (Fall 2:41)
Cons. Round 3 – Chrystopher Hawkins (Smith-Cotton) 30-9 won by decision over Jace Nichols (Carthage) 32-18 (Dec 8-3)

150

Dylan (Michael) Evans (8-23) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 – Tristan Morgan (Lee`s Summit) 27-16 won by fall over Dylan (Michael) Evans (Carthage) 8-23 (Fall 0:57)
Cons. Round 1 – Abel Shade (Republic) 14-15 won by fall over Dylan (Michael) Evans (Carthage) 8-23 (Fall 2:26)

157

Kayden Hole (20-25) place is unknown and scored 7.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 – Gage Medley (Raymore-Peculiar) 29-15 won by fall over Kayden Hole (Carthage) 20-25 (Fall 3:29)
Cons. Round 1 – Kayden Hole (Carthage) 20-25 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 – Kayden Hole (Carthage) 20-25 won by fall over Kaiden Patterson (Republic) 20-21 (Fall 4:44)
Cons. Round 3 – Kayden Hole (Carthage) 20-25 won by fall over Angel Hernandez (Kickapoo) 11-12 (Fall 2:50)
Cons. Semi – Trevor Sundlie (Ozark) 22-17 won by fall over Kayden Hole (Carthage) 20-25 (Fall 3:38)

Kayden Hole (157 lbs.) loses by fall to Trevor Sundlie of Ozark in this year’s consolation semifinals match. Crystal Brown / CNO

165

Lenny Escobar (25-11) place is unknown and scored 6.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 – Lenny Escobar (Carthage) 25-11 won by decision over Jaxon Kerans (Ozark) 17-16 (Dec 8-2)
Quarterfinal – Austin Cornett (Lee`s Summit) 35-4 won by decision over Lenny Escobar (Carthage) 25-11 (Dec 3-1)
Cons. Round 2 – Lenny Escobar (Carthage) 25-11 won by fall over Andrew Tofflemire (Kickapoo) 24-18 (Fall 4:07)
Cons. Round 3 – Lenny Escobar (Carthage) 25-11 won by decision over Jonah Manuel (Waynesville) 32-20 (Dec 10-9)
Cons. Semi – Ben Wirth (Lee`s Summit North) 40-8 won in sudden victory – 1 over Lenny Escobar (Carthage) 25-11 (SV-1 4-1)

175

Joshua Hill (9-20) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 – Chris McDonald (Lee`s Summit North) 19-11 won by decision over Joshua Hill (Carthage) 9-20 (Dec 7-3)
Cons. Round 1 – Grady Kerans (Ozark) 34-14 won by fall over Joshua Hill (Carthage) 9-20 (Fall 4:56)

190

Steve Serious (25-14) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 – Steve Serious (Carthage) 25-14 won by fall over Deandre Harrell (Lee`s Summit North) 25-12 (Fall 3:36)
Quarterfinal – Ethan Montiel (Republic) 35-7 won by fall over Steve Serious (Carthage) 25-14 (Fall 2:39)
Cons. Round 2 – Clayton Sandifer (Rolla) 21-19 won by fall over Steve Serious (Carthage) 25-14 (Fall 2:18)

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