The Carl Junction Bulldogs started making noise last season in head coach Mike Frizzell’s third season at the helm, finishing 15-3 overall in duals, placing second in the Central Ozark Conference tournament, and qualifying seven wrestlers for the Class 3 state tournament.
Carl Junction returns six of the seven qualifiers in seniors Lukas Walker, Chance Benford, and Cayden Bollinger, juniors Sam Melton and Max Matthews, and sophomore Tony Stewart. Melton finished second at 113 pounds and Walker third at 106 at state.
The Bulldogs also return sophomore Carter Foglesong and juniors Dexter Merrell and Arlen Wakefield, with freshmen Cole Beezley and Markus Lopez both in the mix for mat time.
“We have been excited for the upcoming season and building off of last season’s accolades,” Frizzell said. “We had a great offseason with several kids wrestling freestyle and Greco during the spring and summer months and beating some good quality competition.
“We have high expectations and have set some hefty goals for this season. With the number of returning state qualifiers/placers, we expect to be a contender for the Class 3 team title, but it will take a ton of hard work and consistency to be competitive.”
The Bulldogs have a strong trio of seniors in Walker, Benford, and Bolinger.
Walker finished 43-5 overall last season with district and conference titles in addition to his third place at state. He also qualified for state at 106 during his sophomore year.
Benford went 40-12 overall, won a conference title, and placed fourth in districts at 182, while Bollinger finished 38-17 overall, won a conference title, and placed fourth in districts at 220 last season.
“Experience is on our side this season,” Frizzell said. “We have a great senior class of leaders that have helped shape the culture in the wrestling room over these last few years and it is starting to pay off big with our confidence and expectations.”
Melton put together a 40-6 overall record with a second at state and conference and district titles last season.
Matthews finished 23-21 overall and qualified for state at 120, Stewart 36-17 overall and qualified for state at 170, Foglesong 29-8 overall at 106 as Walker and Melton also wrestled at 113 and 120, and Merrell and Wakefield both return as two-year varsity lettermen, while Beezley and Lopez both enjoyed success at the youth level.
“Mental toughness is always a key component in wrestling when competing at a high level,” Frizzell said. “We need to make sure we keep a competitive edge against our opponents when we walk out on the mat to compete and keep that edge throughout the match. Always manage the match to give yourself a chance to win.
“Being consistent day in and day out and staying healthy. It’s a long season that can be hard on your body both physically and mentally. Staying focused on the task at hand will be important to reach our goals.”
The Bulldogs graduated one of their state qualifiers, heavyweight Kameron Bennett.
Carl Junction opens the new season on Tuesday at conference rival Carthage.
The Bulldogs open at home Dec. 1 against Joplin and their schedule plays out with a dual at Seneca (Dec. 6), their own CJ Classic (Dec. 10) with Blue Springs, Bolivar, Monett, Nixa, Seneca, Webb City and Willard joining the Bulldogs, a dual at Webb City (Dec. 13), a tournament in Harrisonville (Dec. 16-17), the Kinlock Tournament (Dec. 29-30) hosted by Parkview in Springfield, a tournament in Jenks, Okla. (Jan. 6-7), the Branson Tournament (Jan. 14), the Pacific Tournament (Jan. 21), a home dual against Marshfield (Jan. 24), a home dual against Neosho (Jan. 26), the conference tournament in Webb City (Jan. 28), a dual at McDonald County (Feb. 2), and a dual at Pittsburg, Kan (Feb. 3).
District and state take place in February.
