Six Cassville wrestlers headed to State
Cassville has three boy wrestlers qualify for State competition, which is this week in Columbia at Mizzou. Pictured, from left to right: head coach Nathan Fortner, Akhilleus Arguelles, Gabe Hunter and Zach Coenen.
February 19, 2020
Caden Swearingen & Charlea Estes-Jones
Cassville’s wrestling program may be one of the newer programs in Barry County, but that isn’t stopping the ‘Cats from taking down the competition and heading to state. Last week, three girls earned spots at State competition. This weekend, four Cassville boys wrestlers earned the right to compete at State competition this week.
“They wrestle before and after practice. They work hard, and I am excited about the future,” said head wrestling coach Nathan Fortner. This year, Cassville wrestling had four boy wrestlers qualify for state, which is the most they have ever had qualify since the program began.
Logan Tolbert, Gabe Hunter, Zach Coenen and Akhilleus Arguelles all qualified, however Tolbert will not be going to state due to a shoulder injury. Hunter also a shoulder injury, but was luckily cleared right before district competition where he earned his spot at state.
Hunter attributes his success to the coaching team. He said, “The coaches need a lot of the praise, they push us boys and always have a game plan. They always take extra time to insure the kids have moves down and are using the right techniques.”
Arguelles is the first freshman wrestler from Cassville to advance. “They are all good, young, and will be back next year,” said Fortner.
The wrestling program is growing, and Cassville had a full team this year. “The youth, middle school, and high school future looks good,” said Fortner.
Tolbert, Hunter, Coenen and Arguelles as well as girls Annie Moore, Kailey Atherton and Kelsey Harris will compete at the MSHSAA 2019-2020 State. The team leaves today, Wednesday, February 19.
Competition will begin for the boys on Thursday, February 20, at 9 a.m. and girls begin at 2 p.m. On Friday, boys wrestle at 8:30 a.m. and girls begin at 11:45 a.m. Semifinals will be Friday, Thursday, 21, at 5:30 p.m. for girls at 5:30 p.m. and boys at 6:30 p.m. The Saturday medal rounds are at 8:30 a.m. for girls and 9 a.m. for boys. Finals are set for 4:30 p.m. at Mizzou in Columbia.
“We will definitely come back stronger with medals or not,” said Coenen.
The Cassville Wrestling Program is coached by head coach Nathan Fortner and assistant coaches Chris Fortner, Brian Barbee and Ben Glidewell.
Caden Swearingen & Charlea Estes-Jones
Cassville’s wrestling program may be one of the newer programs in Barry County, but that isn’t stopping the ‘Cats from taking down the competition and heading to state. Last week, three girls earned spots at State competition. This weekend, four Cassville boys wrestlers earned the right to compete at State competition this week.
“They wrestle before and after practice. They work hard, and I am excited about the future,” said head wrestling coach Nathan Fortner. This year, Cassville wrestling had four boy wrestlers qualify for state, which is the most they have ever had qualify since the program began.
Logan Tolbert, Gabe Hunter, Zach Coenen and Akhilleus Arguelles all qualified, however Tolbert will not be going to state due to a shoulder injury. Hunter also a shoulder injury, but was luckily cleared right before district competition where he earned his spot at state.
Hunter attributes his success to the coaching team. He said, “The coaches need a lot of the praise, they push us boys and always have a game plan. They always take extra time to insure the kids have moves down and are using the right techniques.”
Arguelles is the first freshman wrestler from Cassville to advance. “They are all good, young, and will be back next year,” said Fortner.
The wrestling program is growing, and Cassville had a full team this year. “The youth, middle school, and high school future looks good,” said Fortner.
Tolbert, Hunter, Coenen and Arguelles as well as girls Annie Moore, Kailey Atherton and Kelsey Harris will compete at the MSHSAA 2019-2020 State. The team leaves today, Wednesday, February 19.
Competition will begin for the boys on Thursday, February 20, at 9 a.m. and girls begin at 2 p.m. On Friday, boys wrestle at 8:30 a.m. and girls begin at 11:45 a.m. Semifinals will be Friday, Thursday, 21, at 5:30 p.m. for girls at 5:30 p.m. and boys at 6:30 p.m. The Saturday medal rounds are at 8:30 a.m. for girls and 9 a.m. for boys. Finals are set for 4:30 p.m. at Mizzou in Columbia.
“We will definitely come back stronger with medals or not,” said Coenen.
The Cassville Wrestling Program is coached by head coach Nathan Fortner and assistant coaches Chris Fortner, Brian Barbee and Ben Glidewell.
