High Expectations For MCHS Wrestlers

RICK PECK SPECIAL TO MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS The 2017-2018 McDonald County High School wrestling team.
RICK PECK SPECIAL TO MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS The 2017-2018 McDonald County High School wrestling team.

Three returning state medalists, along with four other returning starters, make the 2017-2018 McDonald County High School wrestling team a squad to be reckoned with this season.

In addition to those seven, coach Josh Factor said the rest of the squad will give McDonald County an opportunity for its best team showing ever.

McDonald County High School

2017-2018 Wrestling Roster

Name^Class

Jakob Gerow^12

Bronnie Kinser^12

Kevin Sackyras^12

Wilson Menas^12

Erin Yang^12

Jaw Di^12

Joaquin Lazalde^12

Adrian Ocampo^12

Omar Robonei^12

Timber Teague^12

Jesus Ocampo^11

Jarred Maggard^11

Rendon Lane^11

Logan Ginger^11

Brandon Andrew^11

Christian Davidson^11

Codie Evans^11

Carl Iohp^11

Jack Teague^10

Leon Zacarias^10

Austin White^10

Hesa Jorimle^10

Lane Pointer^10

Oscar Ortiz^10

Marvin Iohp^10

Eh Doh Say^10

Sequoyah Edwards^10

McCoy Ikosia^10

Blake Richards^10

Keagan Spurgeon^10

Carsn Hoth^9

Karlo Barreda^9

Marshall Brock^9

Jordan Meador^9

Leobardo Reyes^9

Justin Smith^9

McDonald County High School

2017-2018 Wrestling Schedule

Date^Opponent^Location^Time

11/10/17^Red & Black Dual^Home^4 p.m.

11/28/17^Rogers/Rogers-Heritage^Away^TBA

11/30/17^Diamond/Seneca^Away^5 p.m.

12/02/17^Neosho Tournament^Away^9 a.m.

12/09/17^Carl Junction Tournament^Away^10 a.m.

12/12/17^Springdale Har-Ber/Willard^Home^5 p.m.

12/14/17^Grove^Home^6 p.m.

12/28/17—12/29/17^Springfield Holiday Wrestling^Away^TBA

01/04/18^Monett/Republic^Home^6 p.m.

01/06/18^Monett Tournament^Away^9 a.m.

01/11/18^Neosho/Webb City^Away^5 p.m.

01/13/18^Branson Tournament^Branson^9 a.m.

01/16/18^Cassville^Away^5 p.m.

01/18/18^Glendale/Parkview^Away^5 p.m.

01/25/18^Carthage High School/Marshfield^Away^5 p.m.

01/26/18—01/27/18^Liberty Tourney^Away^TBA

02/01/18^Carl Junction^Away^6 p.m.

02/09/18—02/10/18^District Tournament^Away^TBA

02/15/18—02/17/18^State Tournament^Columbia^TBA

"I would like to see our guys finish in the top 10 at the state tournament," Factor said. "Realistically, I see us getting five guys to state. I think that is doable. If we get three guys on the medal stand and get some of those guys to move up, I see no reason we shouldn't be in the top 10. We've never done that before."

Leading the team will be the three returning state medalists in Oscar Ortiz, Jakob Gerow and Tinker Kinser. Ortiz was third at 106 pounds as a freshman, while Gerow was fifth at 120 pounds, his third state medal in three years. Kinser was sixth at 285 pounds.

"The biggest thing I would say about Oscar is he is very coachable and probably one of the hardest workers we have had in the wrestling program since I have been on staff," Factor said. "Seeing how much potential he showed as a freshman gives him a great opportunity for his high school career. He comes in this year as one of the favorites to win a state championship. He has a chance to be the school's first state champion if he continues to improve.

"Jake has a lot of experience as a three-time state medalist. He is definitely capable of being a state champion. He has run across the kid from Kearney (three-time state champ) a couple of times. It's always a close match, but Jake hasn't beaten him yet. I know it is in the back of Jake's mind that he is that close to winning a state title. That kid is back this year, so Jake will probably have the opportunity to keep him from winning his fourth state championship. I like Jake's chances.

"We have to keep Tinker healthy. That is always the biggest battle with him. He had a torn ACL as a freshman, a variety of issues as a sophomore and another torn ACL last year, but he still managed to get to state anyway. We need to have him healthy going into February, and he has a chance of making the state finals if we can do that."

Additional returning starters include Jack Teague (152-160), Wilson Menas (170-182), Timber Teague (170-182) and Brandon Andrew (195-220).

Factor said he has several others returning from last year, plus some newcomers in the program for the first time that will provide McDonald County the depth it hasn't had in past years.

"We are in a unique situation this year," Factor said. "For the first time I can remember, we have close to 40 participants. We aren't used to having this much depth. Other than the returning starters, it's going to be wide open at several weights. I think there are definitely some talented newcomers in the group. Erin Yang and Eh Doh Say will compete at 106. Christian Davidson, Hesa Jorimle and Justin Smith are in the mix at 113-120 pounds. Carson Hoth should be around 132, Marshall Brock and Leo Reyes will be at 152 or possibly 160. They are a couple of freshmen that might work their way into the lineup. Kevin Sackyras and Rendon Lane are in the mix in the middleweights, while Carl Ioph has a chance at 220. There are several others that have potential to help us."

Factor said it has been one of his goals to build the numbers in the program.

"We should be able to fill all the weight classes," Factor said. "If we keep the kids healthy, and that is always a big if, we will field a full squad. We want to keep our numbers and depth up to make it more competitive in the room. We have increased our JV schedule (three JV tournaments) and I think that will help keep kids interested."

McDonald County opened its season on Nov. 28 at Rogers and then travels to Diamond on Nov. 30 before entering its first tournament of the season at Neosho on Dec. 2. The Mustangs' home opener is set for Dec. 12 against Springdale Har-Ber and Willard. Other regular season tournaments include Carl Junction (Dec. 9), Springfield Holiday (Dec. 28-29), Monett (Jan. 6), Branson (Jan. 13) and Liberty (Jan. 26-27).

Sports on 11/30/2017