More than half of Zan Fugitt’s matches this season have ended with him recording a pin in the first period. True to form, the Nixa 113-pound sophomore opened Class 4 District 5 action with two first-period pins Saturday.

Brock Sundlie has been a spectator during Ozark’s annual stints at Districts for much of the past decade. He watched as his older brothers, Preston and Riley, competed for the Tigers with State berths on the line.

It certainly hasn’t escaped Braxton Strick’s attention that in any other year and under normal circumstances, MSHSAA would be hosting its State Wrestling Championships next week.

Win or lose, Ozark’s Thomas Rushing figured his return to the mat this winter after a two-year hiatus would be fulfilling.

Nixa’s Peyton Moore could hear officials matside voice their approval during his march to the 120 championship at the COC Tournament on Saturday.

Nixa’s Peyton Moore feels if he can get through this weekend without a blemish on his record, he’ll like his chances of completing an undefeated regular season.

The relationship of Harper Kissee and Thomas Rushing is such that they have been able to decide between them what weight class each has been at this season.   

Hunter Tennison didn’t let himself get caught up in the moment Tuesday and what a moment he found himself in at the finish of Ozark’s dual with Nixa.

BRANSON — The longer the showdown between Ozark’s Hunter Tennison and Monett’s Harrison Merriman lasted, the more Tennison felt in control.

With MSHSAA adding 3-4 weeks to wrestling season due to COVID-19 regulations, Ozark coach Tod Sundlie and his colleagues around the state have had to make adjustments to their routines.

With his emotions beginning to overwhelm him, Deagan Fugitt gave a friendly nod to Nixa’s home crowd after his match Tuesday and hurriedly headed to a hallway outside the gym to gather himself.

It would have been hard for a newcomer to Ozark’s wrestling room this season to know one of the Tigers’ most passionate and hardest working grapplers was alone in a corner riding a stationary bike.

Ozark’s Braxton Strick and Hunter Tennison and Nixa’s Peyton Moore all find themselves undefeated at the start of the new year. They’re quick to add it’s no time to rest on their laurels.

SPRINGFIELD — Ozark wasn’t quite able to catch team champion Lebanon at the Kinloch Tournament on Monday. But the Tigers gave a much better account of themselves while finishing runner-up than they did a few weeks ago in a 58-15 dual loss to the Yellowjackets.

Ozark and Nixa wrestlers will go through what will likely be the longest wrestling season in state history this winter.