The Carthage Tigers return eight starters from a team last season that finished 8-2 overall in dual competition and placed fifth in the Central Ozark Conference, fourth at districts, and 17th at state.
Class 4 state runner-up Davion King headlines the Tigers’ returning wrestlers for veteran head coach Kenny Brown, who enters his 20th season at the helm of the Tigers.
Brown said that around 70 wrestlers went out for the team at the start of practice and the Tigers are looking to bring that number down to 56 before the start of the season in an effort to maximize their opportunities to develop their JV wrestlers.
“We did have a successful season last year, but definitely came up short of where we wanted to end up,” Brown said. “We wrestle some very talented competition just within our conference. The boys know what we have returning and are looking forward to the opportunity to test themselves against those programs.
“With gas prices this last year, we chose not to attend any camps this summer and just worked in our own room. We focused on more high-level technique that our boys are more likely to see at some of the tougher tournaments.
“Our goals this season are the same as every season. We want to continue to improve throughout the course of the season to give us the best opportunity to challenge for a district championship and set ourselves up for a run during the state tournament.”
King finished 38-5 overall last season, won a district title, and finished second in the COC at 160 pounds. He also placed fifth at 145 his sophomore year and qualified for state at 138 his freshman year.
“Davion placed second last year at state,” Brown said. “He had some health issues that kept him from putting on any weight and he ended up wrestling his finals match way undersized. Davion has worked hard putting on muscle this offseason and will be a tough match for just about anyone he sees this year.”
King plays key roles for the Carthage football team as defensive back and wide receiver. A deep playoff run for the Tigers in football would impact their basketball and wrestling teams.
Slated to wrestle at 132 his junior season, Bradyn Tate finished 31-12 last season at 126 and qualified for state at 113 his freshman campaign.
“Bradyn had a very consistent season for us last year as a sophomore and qualified as a freshman for the state tournament,” Brown said. “Bradyn spent a lot of time on the mats this summer and preseason, competing in multiple tournaments.”
Grey Petticrew went 25-10 overall at 145 last season and he could have an even more successful senior season.
“Grey did a tremendous job for us last year qualifying for state for his first time,” Brown said. “He was wrestling at a better weight last season for himself and the team. He is going to pull back down to 150 and we are looking at him with a legitimate shot at the podium.”
Dylan Huntley finished 25-14 overall at 113 last season and he’s moving up in weight for his junior season.
“Dylan Huntley will be looking to fill our 120-pound spot,” Brown said. “He just missed out on qualifying for the state tournament last season and we are looking for him to punch his first ticket to the state tournament this year.”
Tanner Putt recorded a 6-4 mark at 106 his freshman season.
“Tanner really came on strong towards the end of last season,” Brown said. “He was undersized all year at 106 and we are hoping to see continued improvement now that he is an actual 106-pounder. He spent most of the summer in the wrestling room and competed in a few tournaments this summer as well.”
Other returning wrestlers from last season are 138-pound senior Kip Castor (23-13 at 132), 157-pound senior Gabe Lambeth (11-12 at 170/182), and 285-pound sophomore David Recinos (11-6 at 285).
The graduation of five seniors from last season, including state medalist Braxdon Tate, has opened up a few spots in the Carthage lineup.
“Trey Nye started wrestling as a freshman and has come a long way in the three years he has wrestled for us,” Brown said. “He has been stuck behind some of our best wrestlers the past two years and we need for him to find a spot in the varsity lineup.”
Brown said that 10 wrestlers are in competition to replace Bradyn Tate at the 126 spot.
The Tigers open their season with a dual Tuesday against conference rival Carl Junction. They compete in the Farmington Duals (Dec. 10), Harrisonville (Dec. 16-17), Excelsior Springs (Jan. 7), and Platte County (Jan. 20-21) tournaments, as well as being the host of the Carthage Varsity Duals on Dec. 28.
Carthage’s schedule especially picks up in intensity in January, between the tournaments in Excelsior Springs and Platte County, as well as the Tigers’ annual Black and Blue Brawl Jan. 17 against longtime rival Neosho.
The Tigers defeated Neosho 38-31 on their home mat last season for their first win in the Black and Blue series since 2007, a victory secured by Recinos’ win by pin at 285 in the final match of the night.
Carthage competes Jan. 28 in the conference tournament and districts and state both follow in February.
