After the girls wrestling team won the Class Two State Championship last season, both the boys and girls wrestling teams are hopeful for more big wins. Junior Reed Wilson earned fifth place last season in his division for the boys team.
The teams practice every day after school until 4 p.m. in preparation for their multiple tournaments and duels once the season begins. Competitions begin in December, with the state competition taking place in February.
“It’s pretty demanding,” Sophomore Laura Howe said.“ Physically, if you’re not in shape, it’s going to be the worst stuff ever … Mentally, you have to be there. If you’re not in it mentally, it’s going to mess up how your match goes.”
Tournaments allow each member of the team a chance to move forward. However, it is still a very competitive sport.
“It’s double elimination for the most part. If you lose twice, you’re out of the bracket,” Head Wrestling Coach Dustin Martin said.
Members of the team compete through many matches throughout the season.
“Each kid is limited by the state of Missouri to 50 individual matches, and we usually do try to maximize that.”
Many of Nixa’s wrestlers are very passionate about the activity and enjoy spending time with like-minded people.
“I really like spending time with my friends.” Howe said. “We spend a lot of time on the buses because we’re driving to Kansas City every weekend,”
Wrestling participates in duels and tournaments. These competition styles are structured differently. Duels allow two teams to have a one-on-one competition. Tournaments include many various schools with students competing to advance in the bracket. At the end of the season, a select few members of the wrestling team will head to their final tournament of the season: state.
“We have our regular wrestling season, and then we go to a district wrestling tournament, and then the top four placers at the district tournament qualify for the state tournament,” Martin said.
Senior Beckett Malin says he enjoys wrestling.
“I love wrestling.” Malin said. “Getting out on the mat and working hard and challenging myself.”
