<div class="byline"><b>By Karl Zinke </b>karl.zinke@examiner.net</div> <div class="byline"></div> The 2022-23 high school wrestling season gets underway this week in Eastern Jackson County. Can St. Michael the Archangel Catholic repeat its team state trophy with three returning medal winners, including 285-pound state champion Sampson Stillwell, after losing another state champion and five other state qualifiers? Can Blue Springs heavyweight Brock Sullivan repeat as the Class 4 state champion? Can Fort Osage improve on its 12th-place team showing at Class 4 state? Can Oak Grove return to prominence on the Class 2 state stage? Can Van Horn, with four returning state qualifiers, top its 16thplace Class 3 state finish despite losing a state runner-up and two other state qualifiers? Those are the questions that will be answered this season. Here is a glance at the boys wrestling teams in Eastern Jackson County in the 2022-23 season: <strong>BLUE SPRINGS</strong> <b>Head coach: </b>Bobbe Lowe <b>Assistant coaches: </b>Peter McDavitt, Jake Randle, Jacob Pavlica, Dayton Brown, Brian Banker. <b>2021-22 record: </b>7-10 duals (3-4 in Suburban Gold); seventh at Class 4 District 4; tie for 15th at Class 4 state. <b>2022-23 conference: </b>Suburban Gold <b>Returning letter-winners: </b>Brock Sullivan, sr. (285 state champion); Aleksei Wojkiewicz, sr. (106 state qualifier); Chase Baldwin, sr. (175); Greg Dillon, jr. (150); Conor Tindle, jr. (215). <b>Others to watch: </b>Dominic Payne, fresh.; Deecon Hegarty, jr.; Korbin Schmidli, jr.; Carter Atagi, fresh.; Levi Mariet, sr. <b>Key losses: </b>Jaxson McIntyre (170 state sixth place); Corbin Katamura (195 state sixth place). <b>Coach’s comments: </b>“We have a very young team this year and lack some experience. We will have to make large improvements throughout the year to keep up in the conference. Hope to make some big gains this year with this team and their work will determine their outcome.” <b>BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH</b> <b>Head coach: </b>Doug Black <b>Assistant coaches: </b>Ryan Leonard, Austin Eads. <b>2021-22 record: </b>12-7 duals (1-6 Suburban Gold); 10th at Class 4 District 4; 48th at Class 4 state. <b>2022-23 conference: </b>Suburban Gold <b>Returning letter-winners: </b>Cale Martin, soph. (106); Logan Mainard, jr. (120); Dan Hampton, sr. (126); Wyatt Palmer, soph. (138); Dawson Hemme, soph. (194); Caleb Weir, soph. (170); August Kienast, jr. (160); Callen Smithpeter, jr. (285). <b>Key losses: </b>Tyler Barkley-Fields (126 state quarterfinalist). <strong>Coach’s comments</strong>: “We are going to have several weights where there are going to be some challenges and that is a good thing going into the year. They will be young, but they are working hard. I definitely could see some freshmen making their high school debuts at some time this season. We lost our only state qualifier of the year in Tyler Fields, but I definitely see a couple of returners making some serious noise this year as they put in the offseason work. Martin, Mainard and Smithpeter have all done the work needed to improve for this year. We are going to be a young team again as several kids decided not to come out, but we have some young ones that are willing to step up for the challenge and fill the positions. One of the team goals is to win conference again and that will be a challenge with a young team. They need to be willing to come in every day and work to improve on all phases of their wrestling positions. The few upperclassmen just need to lead by example and do not have to be vocal about it. We have some quality kids in the room, now we just need to finish strong when the time comes and stay healthy as we, as a team, have not been able to do that the last couple of years, and when your depth is not real deep, that can be some problems with duals.” <b>FORT OSAGE</b> <b>Head coach: </b>Brandon Wackerman <b>Assistant coaches: </b>Derick Barker, Darick Lapaglia, Jesse Reser, Derick Sanders. <b>2021-22 record: </b>12-2 in duals (4-1 Suburban White); sixth in Class 4 District 4; 12th in Class 4 state. <b>2022-23 conference: </b>Suburban Red <b>Returning letter-winners: </b>Kaiden Johnson, soph. (126); Rylan Mansfield, jr. (138); Colby Gray, soph. (144, Class 4 state runner-up at 120); Grayson Moore, soph. (150); Isaac Fields, soph. (190); Gavin Gallman, jr. (215, Class 4 sixth place medalist at 220). <b>Others to watch: </b>Kaison Schreier, fresh. (106); Tony Martinez, fresh. (113); Ryan Rodriguez, fresh. (120); Isaac Ward, fresh. (175). <b>Key losses: </b>Dylan Reed (132, Class 4 state fourth place); Stevie Gabb (285, Class 4 state qualifier); Nathan Noda (145); Noah Thorpe (113, sixth at Class 4 state). <b>Coach’s comments: </b>We are young in age, yet we have a core of wrestlers who have wrestled a lot of important matches over the years. Our strengths: we have several yearround wrestlers, we have experienced wrestlers returning from a strong season, and we have several wrestlers who have grown up wrestling together who are ready to take the next step. As a team, we will have to be tough and creative in covering weight classes to be competitive in duals. We will have to respond maturely and quickly to losses as a team in tournaments. The state tournament format doesn’t allow a wrestler to dwell on mistakes very long – especially in a two-day format this year. Our bigger tournaments (KC Stampede, Winnetonka, Thrasher) should help us prepare for this mental test at the end of the season.” <b>GRAIN VALLEY</b> <b>Head coach: </b>Donald Horner (first year) <b>Assistant coaches: </b>Chad Benshoof, Matt Cox, Tony Garcia, Mitchel Alexander, Jeremy King, Kellen Ekern. <b>2021-22 record: </b>Dual record not available; fifth at Class 4 District 4; 25th at Class 4 state. <b>2022-23 conference: </b>Suburban White <b>Returning letter- winners: </b>Dru Azcona, sr. (126, fourth at Class 4<b> </b>state); Tanner Barker, sr. (152, sixth at Class 4 state); Brock Smith, sr. (120, Class 4 state qualifier); Justin Deweese, jr. (160, Class 4 state qualifier); Gavin Barker, soph.; Collin Burd, jr.; Andrew Czeschin, sr.; Tyler Groves, sr.; Colston Parks, soph.; Gavin Parks, jr.; Evan Reich, sr. <b>Others to watch: </b>Zac Bleess, fresh. <b>Key losses: </b>O’Thaniel Frederick (195). <b>Coach’s comments: </b>“We return a solid number of qualifiers and hope to add more to that list this year. For us to be successful this year we are going put a focus on moving forward and scoring points.” <b>LEE’S SUMMIT NORTH</b> <b>Head coach: </b>Mick Cronk <b>Assistant coaches: </b>Cole Reeves, Nick Wages, Tanner Vance, Hunter Ross, Glenn Berry. <b>2021-22 record: </b>9-4 in duals (second in Suburban Gold); fifth at Class 4 District 3; 14th at Class 4 state. <b>2022-23 conference: </b>Suburban Red <b>Returning letter-winners: </b>Charlie Dykes, jr. (4th at 113 at Class 4 state); Hank Natali, jr. (220 Class 4 state qualifier); Owen Barnhill, jr.; Zac Scherer, soph.; Asher Feldhaus, soph.; Logan Nieznajko, soph.; Paden Cole, jr.; Preston Sunarjo, jr.; Adrian Hale, jr.; Seth Hooper, jr.; Luke Steinbrugge, jr.; Zack Coetzee, sr.; Noah White, soph.; Drew Gray, jr. <b>Key losses: </b>Trey Robinson (4th at 152 at Class 4 state); Trevor Taylor (5th at 285 at Class 4 state); Ryan McNeel (132 Class 4 state qualifier). <b>Coach’s comments: </b>“We are loaded with juniors and sophomores with a lot of varsity experience. We only have one returning senior letterman.” <b>OAK GROVE</b> <b>Head coach: </b>Jamie Scully <b>Assistant coaches: </b>Mitchell Bradley, Jacquie Butler, Sam Ellifrits, Shawn Kavadas, Rodney Pettit, Mike Phillips, TJ Raney. <b>2021-22 record: </b>10-3 in duals (5-2 MRVC West), fourth at Class 2 District 4; 13th place at Class 2 state. <b>2022-23 conference: </b>Missouri River Valley Conference West <b>Returning letter-winners: </b>Rudy Whitehead, soph. (132/138); Chase Henderson, soph. (138); Jordan Hall, jr. (150/157); Alex Whitehead, sr. (150/157); Ethan Phillips, sr. (165); Holland Graves, sr. (175); Caleb Groff, sr. (285). <b>Others to watch: </b>Keegan Martin, fresh. (113); Mickey Seymour, fresh. (132/138); Kade Carroll, fresh. (215). <b>Key losses: </b>Zander Brinegar (195 Class 2 state champion); Carson Smith (160 Class 2 state qualifier); Garrett Hudspeth (220 Class 2 state qualifier). <b>Coach’s comments: </b>“Our team’s strength is that we have a group of great kids. The kids are first great students and also great athletes. They are a close-knit group of kids who have grown up wrestling together. The team has a goal to move back in the direction of what Oak Grove wrestling has been known for. We have fallen short for a few years now and we want to bring back the traditions and expectations that Oak Grove was previously known for. This group of kids has put in time and is committed to wanting to be successful. We have several wrestlers who had state tournament possibilities last year and fell short. That motivates many of them every day in the wrestling room to work harder and to push each other. Our team, as a whole, only has one wrestler who has postseason experience. Caleb (Groff) is the only returning wrestler who has been to the postseason. Our hope is that he can lead the team and both upperclassmen and underclassmen can get experience to build the program in the years to come. To do this, we will need to work hard, be committed to remembering what we are here to represent and hold one another accountable. Wrestling is a physically and mentally tough sport and the team picking each other up and sticking together will help us be successful in accomplishing these team goals.” <b>ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL</b> <b>Head coach: </b>Matt Infranca <b>Assistant coaches: </b>Tyler Curd, Tyler Thompson, James Morgan, Travis Groepel, Trevor Wiest, Steffon Fassett, Mark Stillwell (strength). <b>2021-22 record: </b>12-18 in duals; Class 1 District 2 champion; fourth at Class 1 state. <b>2022-23 conference: </b>Crossroads Conference <b>Returning letter-winners: </b>Sampson Stillwell, soph. (Class 1 285 state champion); Lucas Barry, jr. (fourth at 120 at Class 1 state, Class 1 state champion at 106 in 2021); Lucas Estes, jr. (third at 145 at Class 1 state). <b>Key losses: </b>Drew Stanfield (Class 1 state champion at 132); Dave Maschger (two-time state qualifier, 126); Zach Berry (two-time state qualifier, 195); Jackson Stringfield (state qualifier); Jakson Wimberly (two-time state qualifier, 182); Larry Smith (state qualifier). <b>Coach’s comments: </b>“We’re a young team with seven or eight freshmen in the lineup. Our strength is the culture that has been building the last two years, anchored by three returning state placers/ champs. Weakness is probably depth still. We have some holes and won’t be a great dual team yet. The goals and expectations never change and that is to bring home a team title. In order to have success, the younger kids with less experience need to get to state and score points for us.” <b>TRUMAN</b> <b>Head coach: </b>Levi Goes <b>Assistant coaches:</b> Dalton Hutchings, John Bobeen. <b>2021-22 record: </b>4-6 (1-5 Suburban White); 12th at Class 4 District 4. <b>2022-23 conference: </b>Suburban Red <b>Returning letter-winners: </b>Andres Jones, soph. (132); Caden Deeney, soph. (138); Elias Chapin, soph. (144); John Chapin, sr. (175); Colton Treloar, sr. (190); Charles Herod, soph. (190); Freddie Sheppard, jr. (215). <b>Others to watch: </b>Hayden Woods, fresh. (120); Ian Chapin, fresh. (126). <b>Coach’s comments: </b>“We are a young team with some great leadership in the room. We will be without one of our seniors, John Chapin, due to a knee injury, and that was a big hit to the team before we had our first meet. We are looking forward to competing in our new conference and getting some guys through to the state tournament.” <b>VAN HORN</b> <b>Head coach: </b>Craig Addison <b>Assistant coaches: </b>Chris Schwartz, Anthony Mohr, Marion Holt, David Brayer, Chandler Seevers. <b>2021-22 record: </b>14-1 in duals (3-0 Crossroads Conference); sixth at Class 3 District 4; 16th at Class 3 state. <b>2022-23 conference: </b>Crossroads Conference <b>Returning letter-winners: </b>Tristan Paige, soph. (106); Tevaughn Chambers, jr. (113); Robert Atkinson, jr. (126); Cody Krantz, jr. (132); Darrius Paige, jr. (138, Class 3 state qualifier); Damon Queen, soph. (145); Da’Marcus Penson, sr. (152, sixth in Class 3 state); Wesley Trenkler, jr. (165); Andrew Murphy, jr. (175); CJ Nelson, jr. (182, Class 3 state qualifier); Jeffrey Morris, sr. (215); Jose Hidalgo, soph. (215); Mason Igou, sr. (285, Class 3 state qualifier); Miguel Madrigal, sr. (182). <b>Others to watch: </b>Dominick Paige, fresh. (132/138); Sean Murrow, fresh.; Kevin Rodriguez, fresh. <b>Key losses: </b>David Lewis (220 Class 3 state runner-up); Steven Campos (132 Class 3 state qualifier); Keanu Sua (195 state qualifier). <b>Coach’s comments: </b>“Last year we almost doubled a school district record for state qualifiers. This year we return almost everyone, and get some talented freshmen. Sky is the limit for this team.” <b>WILLIAM CHRISMAN</b> <b>Head coach: </b>Riley Glasgow <b>Assistant coaches: </b>Dylan Meisenheimer, Tyler Hamm <b>2021-22 record: </b>5-9 in duals (2-3 Suburban White); eighth in Class 3 District 4; 32nd at Class 3 state. <b>2022-23 conference: </b>Suburban White <b>Returning letter- winners: </b>Javarien Jeffries, soph. (126); Rony Guardiola, soph. (113/120); Cameron McGhee, soph. (150/157); Terry Baker, sr. (190). <b>Others to watch: </b>Ezias Poli, fresh. (285); VerShawn Dudley Jr., fresh. (157/165); Preston Gunlock, fresh. (106/113). <b>Key losses: </b>Nathan Campos (170 Class 3 state qualifier); Riley Ragan (113 Class 3 state qualifier). <b>Coach’s comments: </b>“Our team is going to be very young, but they are all hungry and love to compete. Our team goals are to have a six-plus dual wins and to qualify 3-6 boys to the state tournament. The team is going to have to buy in to what the coaches are teaching and trust the process.” <b><span data-contrast="none">5 TO WATCH</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> <span data-contrast="none">Here are the top five boys wrestlers to watch in the 2022-23 season:</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> <span data-contrast="none">* </span><b><span data-contrast="none">Dru Azcona</span></b><span data-contrast="none">, sr., Grain Valley – The senior finished fourth at 126 pounds in last year’s Class 4 state tournament and posted a 42-6 record. This year he looks to make more noise as he moves up to 132.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> <span data-contrast="none">* </span><b><span data-contrast="none">Lucas Estes</span></b><span data-contrast="none">, jr., St. Michael the Archangel Catholic – Estes captured third place in the Class 1 145-pound state tournament last season and looks to move up to 150 this season. Estes is a 2022 Missouri Cadet National Dual Team member and is drawing Division I recruiting interest.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> <span data-contrast="none">* </span><b><span data-contrast="none">Colby Gray</span></b><span data-contrast="none">, soph., Fort Osage – The sophomore burst onto the scene last year as a freshman, finishing as the Class 4 state runner-up at 120 pounds and sporting a 44-4 record. Gray is expected to move up to 144 pounds this season for the Indians.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> <span data-contrast="none">* </span><b><span data-contrast="none">Sampson Stillwell</span></b><span data-contrast="none">, soph., St. Michael the Archangel Catholic – Stillwell is ranked as the top sophomore pound-for-pound wrestler in the state by missouriwrestling.com after going 17-1 and claiming the Class 1 285-pound state championship as a freshman. Stillwell, who has Olympic aspirations and is ranked in the top 10 in his weight class in the nation, placed second in the Greco-Roman bracket and seventh in freestyle at World Team Trials and went undefeated in freestyle and Greco-Roman at the Cadet National Duals this summer. He then dominated the field to win the Greco-Roman 285-pound cadet national title and finished as the freestyle runner-up at the U.S. Marine Corps/USA Wrestling Junior and 16U Nationals in Fargo, N.D. He is already highly sought after by many of the top Division I college programs.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> <span data-contrast="none">* </span><b><span data-contrast="none">Brock Sullivan</span></b><span data-contrast="none">, sr., Blue Springs – The senior heavyweight, after qualifying for state his first two seasons in high school, broke through his junior year at state and captured the 285-pound Class 4 state title. He looks to repeat his title after going 35-6 last season.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span> <b><span data-contrast="none">Others to keep an eye on</span></b><span data-contrast="none">: Tanner, Barker, sr., Grain Valley; Lucas Barry, jr., St. Michael the Archangel Catholic; Charlie Dykes, soph., Lee’s Summit North; Gavin Gallman, jr., Fort Osage; Caleb Groff, sr., Oak Grove; Hank Natali, sr., Lee’s Summit North; Darrius Paige, sr., Van Horn; Da’Marcus Penson, sr., Van Horn; Kaison Schreier, fresh., Fort Osage; Brock Smith, sr., Grain Valley; Aleksei Wojkiewicz, sr., Blue Springs.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span>
