Wrestler Zach Coenen doubles Cassville’s gold
Cassville High School senior, Zach Coenen, took the first place gold medal in the Thursday, March 11, state wrestling championships in Independence, making it the second gold medal for Cassville
Lady Wildcat wrestler, Annie Moore, won the state title two days prior on Tuesday, March 9.
Lady Wildcat wrestler, Annie Moore, won the state title two days prior on Tuesday, March 9.
March 17, 2021
Lee Stubblefield
What. A. Week.
On Tuesday, Cassville’s Annie Moore became a state wrestling gold medalist.
Zach Coenen on Thursday? #metoo.
Coenen, Cassville’s lone entry in the MSHSAA Class 2 wrestling championships at Independence, matched Moore’s mojo to capture Cassville’s first ever boys wrestling medal. Unlike Moore, who pinned every opponent in her state saga, Coenen had to battle through overtime in all three of his matches to earn the gold bling.
After an opening round bye in the Class 2, 220 pound weight class, Coenen survived in the quarterfinals against Josh Dunmire of Fulton, winning in OT, 2-1. The semifinals saw Coenen forced into OT again. This time he dominated the extra period, defeating Peyton Hahn of Boonville, 4-1, to advance to the championship match.
Waiting for Coenen in the finals was Jared Kinder, Moberly’s prolific senior with the 45-6 record. Only 26 wrestlers in the 14 weight divisions of the Class 2 tournament had reached the 40-win plateau. Most school schedules lack the number of matches required for a wrestler to reach 40 wins. To hit that mark, you have to finish the season near perfect, or compete every weekday and twice on Sunday.
Harrisonville’s Carson Miller came in with an impressive 39-9 record, but Kinder decisioned him in the semifinals.
In contrast, Coenen’s sectional championship victory boosted his record to just 28-3. But throw out the victory total. They were both sectional champions. Perhaps the most important stat was Kinder’s six losses, double Coenen’s number.
Technique, ferocity, and instinct
In the title match, Coenen battled Kinder toe-to-toe, and hold for hold, then scored the winning point in the waning minute of overtime. Coenen matched Kinder in technique, and used his football power and instinct honed in years of practice and competition to turn the tide.
Cassville championship history
Annie Moore and Zach Coenen join 15 other Wildcats from the past as individual state champions in MSHSAA sports and activities. The 1983 girls track team, and the 2008 and 2009 football teams also won state titles.
“State champion.”
Records fall as years go by, but you take titles to your grave. Moore and Coenen will always be remembered as Cassville Wildcat state champions.
Lee Stubblefield
What. A. Week.
On Tuesday, Cassville’s Annie Moore became a state wrestling gold medalist.
Zach Coenen on Thursday? #metoo.
Coenen, Cassville’s lone entry in the MSHSAA Class 2 wrestling championships at Independence, matched Moore’s mojo to capture Cassville’s first ever boys wrestling medal. Unlike Moore, who pinned every opponent in her state saga, Coenen had to battle through overtime in all three of his matches to earn the gold bling.
After an opening round bye in the Class 2, 220 pound weight class, Coenen survived in the quarterfinals against Josh Dunmire of Fulton, winning in OT, 2-1. The semifinals saw Coenen forced into OT again. This time he dominated the extra period, defeating Peyton Hahn of Boonville, 4-1, to advance to the championship match.
Waiting for Coenen in the finals was Jared Kinder, Moberly’s prolific senior with the 45-6 record. Only 26 wrestlers in the 14 weight divisions of the Class 2 tournament had reached the 40-win plateau. Most school schedules lack the number of matches required for a wrestler to reach 40 wins. To hit that mark, you have to finish the season near perfect, or compete every weekday and twice on Sunday.
Harrisonville’s Carson Miller came in with an impressive 39-9 record, but Kinder decisioned him in the semifinals.
In contrast, Coenen’s sectional championship victory boosted his record to just 28-3. But throw out the victory total. They were both sectional champions. Perhaps the most important stat was Kinder’s six losses, double Coenen’s number.
Technique, ferocity, and instinct
In the title match, Coenen battled Kinder toe-to-toe, and hold for hold, then scored the winning point in the waning minute of overtime. Coenen matched Kinder in technique, and used his football power and instinct honed in years of practice and competition to turn the tide.
Cassville championship history
Annie Moore and Zach Coenen join 15 other Wildcats from the past as individual state champions in MSHSAA sports and activities. The 1983 girls track team, and the 2008 and 2009 football teams also won state titles.
“State champion.”
Records fall as years go by, but you take titles to your grave. Moore and Coenen will always be remembered as Cassville Wildcat state champions.
