In 2020, the Hawks’ state medal list grew to three – Dalton Litzsinger, Griffin Ray and Gavin Alexander – and the team moved up to 10th place. Alexander won the state title at 106 pounds.
Last March, 12 Hillsboro wrestlers made it to Independence for the state championships and six climbed the medal stand: Aidan Black (sixth, 106), Alexander (fourth, 113), Sam Richardson (fourth, 126), Litzsinger (fourth, 138), Ray (third, 152) and Zach McNees (fifth, 195). The team finished third in Class 3, capping its best season ever.
“Expectations are higher and that’s been the case each year I’ve been here,” said Hillsboro head coach Matt Mitchell, who has watched the rise of homegrown talent through the school’s youth program. “That’s not going to change. Each kid wants to win state as an individual and that’s the program’s goal as well, but mainly it’s about developing their wrestling skills. Sure, a year after getting a state trophy for the first time, there may be more pressure.”
After finishing second to Neosho in the Missouri Duals at Helias Catholic in Jefferson City on Friday and Saturday, it appears the Hawks are unfazed by the weighty expectations of returning a loaded lineup with veterans hankering to win their own state titles. Neosho finished second in the state in Class 3 last year behind Whitfield, which scored twice as many points as Hillsboro (182-91).
“I’m not buying into (the question), ‘Is the window to win state open or closed?’” Mitchell said. “Each year the expectation will stay the same. I’m more concerned about each kid meeting their goals.”
Litzsinger, a senior, finished third at 132 as a sophomore and fourth at 138 last season. He’s moved up to 170 this year. At Helias, Litzsinger lost a 12-2 major decision to Neosho’s Eli Zar, who was second at state at 145 last year.
Ray, a junior, was fifth at state at 138 in 2020 and third at 152 a year ago. He is 9-0 at 160 this year. Ray quarterbacked the 9-2 Hawk football team this fall and recently committed to wrestle at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.
After winning state as a freshman, Alexander knew he’d have a target on his back wherever he wrestled last season. He has won 92 matches and two state medals going into his junior campaign, which is on hold while he recovers from a football injury. Mitchell said he expects Alexander back by the end of the month.
“He wants to win another state championship. He puts a lot of work in and is a big part of the program. You can’t dwell on being a failure if you don’t finish first. This is the first time he’s dealt with injury issues. We’re on the tail end of that.”
Richardson, a sophomore, wrestles at 145 and pinned Neosho’s Nate Copeland in the final dual on Saturday. Junior Evan Morris, a two-time state qualifier, looks to make the leap to the medal stand at 152. He pinned Neosho’s Bostyn Patterson for the title at that weight Saturday.
“(Morris) had a great summer and is off to a good start,” Mitchell said.
At 106 and 113, the coach is going with youth in freshmen Gabe Barnett, Kaden Larkin, C.J. Bauer and Jordan Penick. At 126, freshman Jackson Tucker comes to Hillsboro from a separate local youth club. Tucker is 9-0, including a 4-3 decision over Jack Lage of Helias. Lage won the 120-pound state title in Class 2 last year.
Juniors Blake Jackson (132), Nate Barnett (138), Eddie Hines (152) and Nick Green (182), freshman Aidan Petit (195) and sophomores Hunter Rhodes (220) and Barrett Silhavey (285) round out the Hawk lineup. Hines was a state qualifier at 160 last year. Rhodes was as well, at 220, but injured his knee and couldn’t continue in the consolation round.
The Hawks are in Class 3 District 1 again this season, hosted by Farmington, and the district is back to its traditional 16-team format with the top four finishers in each weight class advancing to state. There is no sectional round this season. After COVID-19 restrictions in Columbia forced the state meet to move to Independence last season, the usual three-day format at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia returns in 2022.
This is the fourth season for girls wrestling and it will remain one class for one more year. Sophomores Heaven Webb (115) and Alleigh Culley (159) are the Hawks’ top female wrestlers. Webb transferred from North County.
“It’s been set in motion to have two classes next year,” Mitchell said. “The state has always said they were looking at changing it before, but COVID put the brakes on everything.
“They’re going to have to run the girls tournament on a separate weekend because the majority of schools aren’t set up with separate coaching staffs.”
After a long run of dominance by De Soto, Hillsboro has won back-to-back Jefferson County Activities Association wrestling championships, in addition to capturing its first-ever district title last season. The Hawks return a dynamic, veteran team capable of challenging for the Class 3 state title in February.
The JCAA has produced state champions in four of the last five seasons: Jaycee Foeller of De Soto (three times), Landon Porter of De Soto, Gavin Alexander of Hillsboro and Windsor’s Ryan Yarnell and Jacob Warren.
With the 2021-2022 season well underway, let’s take a look at the boys and girls teams in the JCAA, including new arrival St. Pius X. The Lancer boys are in Class 1 District 1 at Ste. Genevieve. Herculaneum’s boys are in Class 2 District 1 at Sullivan and De Soto, Festus, Hillsboro and Windsor will compete in Class 3 District 1 at Farmington. All of the girls teams from the county will compete in District 1 at Lafayette.
ST. PIUS X
Head coach: R.J. Eberhart
Last season: This is the Lancers’ first year competing in wrestling.
Top boys wrestlers: Hayden Hill (106 pounds), Joe Halfmann (113), Jack McKinley (120), Jonny Halfmann (126), Andrew Boldt (132), Thomas Boldt (138), Justin Lehn (182), Alex Moissis (195), Allen Reed (220), Christian McCline (285).
Top girls wrestlers: Ava Gilbreth (105), Abbie Carter (141), Sierra Hill (149), Maddie Birkenmeier (159), Jillian Grissom (194), Maliyah Underwood (235).
In the circle: Eberhart has coached youth and high school wrestling for years and comes to St. Pius from O’Fallon High in Illinois. Since girls wrestling is only in its fourth year statewide, the female Lancers don’t have as far to go to catch up with the competition as the boys do.
“This is a learning experience for our first-year team,” Eberhart said. “We are young, ambitious and competitive. The talent level is very high in this area and the learning curve is sharp in this sport. We will continue to progress as the matches pile up and the year goes on. We want to see our kids have fun on the mat and be passionate about the wrestling lifestyle.”
Eberhart said girls wrestling will continue to grow in the state.
“I look at other girls teams and see full rosters and it makes me very proud as a coach,” he said. “These girls train hard, lift, get in shape, maintain weight and compete just like the boys. We need to recognize that wrestling is for everyone willing to put in the work.”
FESTUS
Head coach: Jarad Sheppard, first season.
Last season: The Tiger boys finished 21st in Class 3 and had two state qualifiers. Luke Shaver graduated after finishing third at 182 pounds. Austin Neff came in fourth at 106 and returns for his senior year. For the girls, Kirsten Klein (112) and Lauren Mills (122) were state qualifiers last season and Klein finished fifth.
Top boys wrestlers: Neff, Bobby Buehre (145), Lucas Mercurio (152), Payton Shaver (160).
Top girls wrestlers: LeeAnn Dobbs (105), Klein (115), Mills (125).
In the circle: Dobbs, a junior, finished fourth in sectionals at 107 last season, which under normal circumstances would have been good enough to reach state. But COVID-19 forced state officials to pare down sectionals to the top three finishers in each weight class. This year the old format is back, with the top four at district qualifying for state. Sheppard said Mills has made a noticeable improvement through hard work in the last year. Sheppard, a standout wrestler in his prep days at Hillsboro, was an assistant coach at Seckman for three seasons before coming to Festus.
“I want to see everyone wrestle up to their potential by the time the postseason comes around,” Sheppard said. “I place less of an emphasis on winning duals and padding up wins and more emphasis on wrestling hard matches that will prepare kids to secure top four placement at the district tournament.”
DE SOTO
Head coach: John Brown, 14 years as assistant, 10 as head coach.
Last season: Jaycee Foeller’s incredible run of three undefeated state championship seasons set a standard for girls wrestling at De Soto and around the state that will be almost impossible to top. Foeller now wrestles for McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill., and many believe the Olympic Games might be in her future. Luke Bradley (170) and Isaac Foeller (220), Jaycee’s brother, qualified for state last season. Bradley graduated, while Foeller returns at the same weight.
Top boys wrestlers: In addition to Foeller, they are Braxton Drummond (120), Drake Peeler (126), Josh Kaempfe (132), Wyatt Ruengert (138), Hunter Adams (145), Avery Goode (152), Levi Anderson (160), Aaron Burgett (170), Asa Foeller (195), Asher Anderson (220), Timothy Harmon (285).
Top girls wrestlers: Jillian Heath (125), Payton Rulo (130), Riley Coleman (135), Olivia Thompson (145), Hannah Eberhardt (149), Ella Bradley (159).
In the circle: De Soto ran off eight JCAA championships in a row before Hillsboro emerged as a state contender and won the last two. Brown is a veteran coach with an experienced cast of assistants and the Dragons are the only team in the conference to have state champions (Jaycee Foeller, Landon Porter 2020) the past two seasons. Isaac Foeller finished 33-7 last season and could extend his family’s, as well as De Soto’s state-champion streak.
HERCULANEUM
Head coach: Cody Hunter, fourth season.
Last season: After years of wrestling as a Class 1 school, Herculaneum’s boys were bumped up to Class 2 last season. The Blackcats’ last state qualifier was Josh Hurt in 2020.
Top boys wrestlers: C.J. Asinger (113), Josh Hurt (126), Shea Eberhardt (220), James Mouyassar (285).
Top girls wrestlers: Eddyson Reeves (130).
In the circle: Asinger, Hurt and Reeves all wrestled at sectionals last season. Reeves has the potential to be Herculaneum’s first girls state qualifier. The boys already have wins over Affton (39-27) and St. Pius (47-12). In a triangular against Cape Girardeau Notre Dame and Dexter on Dec. 8, Reeves pinned both of her opponents.
“As a program we want to build on winning more of the duals and working toward a full line-up,” Hunter said. “We have been rebuilding now for the last couple of seasons and have a young group of kids that have worked hard to turn the program around. We have finally been able to turn the corner and get some wins in our conference. On the boys side, we don’t have any seniors, so we are expecting things to continue to improve.”
WINDSOR
Head coach: Tom Ford, first season.
Last season: Luke Longtin (160) was Windsor’s only wrestler advancing to state last season. A three-time state qualifier, he graduated in 2021.
Top boys wrestlers: Brayden Belding (106), Luke Patterson (113), Ian Pauley (120), Joe Hirst (132), Nick Baer (138), Mitchell Baer (152), Brice Henry (160), Cameron Busch (170), Nick Jansen (182), Michael Lattner (195), John Miloscia (220), Clay Scott (285).
Top girls wrestlers: Mya Hairston (100), Lily Pauley (110), Delaney Rapp (115), Josephine Weidler (130), Serenity Schodroski (135), Reese Ronzio (141), Madison Patrick (159), Maya Hutchison (174).
In the circle: Thanks to Warren, Yarnell and Chris Butts (fourth at 182 in 2020), the Owls have had a nice stretch of state success in recent years. Windsor activities director Kevin Stoffey coached Warren and Yarnell to their championships. Ford replaces Ryan Bollinger, who had been head coach the last two seasons. Reilly Baughman (2019-2020) is Windsor’s only girls wrestler to qualify for state.