When Braxton Strick wrestled nationally in youth tournaments in Las Vegas and Virginia, he discovered the bigger the stage, the better he responded.
When Zan Fugitt and Peyton Moore enter Nixa’s wrestling room, they walk past a photo gallery of the Eagles’ State place-winners hanging on the wall.
JEFFERSON CITY — Opening-night Class 4 District 3 wrestling action Friday concluded with Ozark having seven semifinalists and Nixa four.
Knowing he’s closer to the end of his career than the beginning has Nixa’s Deagan Fugitt feeling a bit melancholy, but at the same time spurring him on never like before.
Hunter Tennison ran his winning streak to 10 by posting a pin in the Ozark wrestling team's wins over Branson and Kickapoo on Tuesday.
With a trio of starters from last season opting not to return for Nixa this winter, it’s been refreshing to see Cody Gardner’s progress in his first go-around on the mat at the high school level.
For Hunter Tennison, all the work he’s endured in the weight room doing squat after squat surely paid off Saturday.
Ozark’s home-opening triangular with Waynesville and Marshfield provided prime examples in coach Tod Sundlie’s mind regarding what to expect from the Tigers throughout the season.
Braxton Strick makes a point to shake hands and thank the referee of his matches after his work is done. The Ozark 132-pound freshman is also quick to give a big thank you to wrestling.
Nearing the finale of his second match and 12 minutes on the mat overall in Ozark’s home-opening triangular Wednesday, 170-pounder Kael Conway thought he was cooked. But inspired by his teammates, he found a little extra deep inside his tank.
Peyton Moore clapped and nodded his head to the Nixa crowd in a sign of thanks Friday, as the Eagles’ faithful went wild voicing their approval for his season-opening victory.
Ashlyn Eli confessed to being riddled with nerves on more than one occasion during her freshman season on the mat last winter. One thing she didn't have to be concerned with that many of her cohorts fret about is weight.
When Zan Fugitt followed his older brother, Deagan, to the Class 4 State Wrestling Tournament last February, he didn’t journey to Columbia simply to cheer on Deagan.
Nixa’s Deagan Fugitt hasn’t been in contact with Ozark’s Wyatt Snyder since they both made the 113-pound field at State last season. He’s hoping to hear soon if Snyder is also making the jump to 120 pounds.
Nixa is heavy on light weights, so much so that Eagles coach Dustin Martin will match them up with anybody.
Peyton Moore predicts his response to a runner-up finish at the State Wrestling Championships will include being even more determined to bring home a gold medal over the next three seasons.
